Celebrate National Public Lands Day at Olympic NP

Date: September 22, 2010
Contact: Dave Reynolds, 360-565-2985

Olympic National Park will join National Park Service sites throughout the country by waiving entrance fees on September 25, 2010 in conjunction with National Public Lands Day (NPLD). The park will also offer a series of ranger-led programs and guided walks at many of Olympic's popular destinations.

"In celebration of National Public Lands Day and the last bit of summer weather, we're pleased to announce this Saturday as a 'fee-free day," said Park Superintendent Karen Gustin. "This should be a great way to learn more about the park, get information on volunteer opportunities or just spend the day outside enjoying the park."

Events planned for Saturday include:

Olympic National Park Port Angeles Visitor Center

• "Discover Olympic!" ranger programs held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Hurricane Ridge:

• Explore subalpine meadows on ranger-guided walks at 10:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Groups meet at the Hurricane Ridge Visitors' Center.
  
• Meet park staff for 20-minute ranger talks, held on the visitor center terrace at 1:00 and 4:00 p.m.  In case of inclement weather, talks will be held indoors.

Hoh Rain Forest:

• Ranger-guided walk on the 1 ¼ -mile Spruce Nature Trail at 11:00 a.m.
   
• Ranger-guided walk on the ¾- mile Hall of Mosses Trail at 2:00 p.m. Groups meet at the Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center. Each walk is 1 ½ hours in duration.

Mora:

• Meet at the Rialto Beach parking area for the "Rialto Beach Ramble." This 1 ½-hour program will uncover some of the mysteries of our ocean shores.
   
• A one-hour evening program, "It's a Jungle Under There!" will be held at 8:00 p.m. at the Mora Campground Amphitheater. Explore the jungles teeming with life beneath the ocean waves. 

Kalaloch:

• Olympic National Park rangers and educators from the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary will present "Ocean Stories" from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Topics include whales, coastal geology, ocean debris and more. This is a chance for Junior Rangers to earn their badge and learn more about the unique adaptations of coastal creatures, from sea otters to sea stars.
  
• Ranger-led "Kalaloch Beach Walks" will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The 1 ½ hour leisurely walk starts from the Kalaloch Lodge gazebo.
  
• A one-hour evening program, "Invisible Ocean" takes a deeper look at marine life and asks the question "Is seeing believing?" The program starts at 8:00 p.m. at the Kalaloch Campground Amphitheater.

National Public Lands Day has been held annually since 1994 as a way for outdoor enthusiasts to celebrate, enjoy and learn about the great outdoors. In addition, National Public Lands Day gives volunteers an opportunity to give back to the natural environment and the public lands we all enjoy. Last year, 150,000 volunteers from around the country donated their time and efforts to build trails and bridges, remove trash and invasive plant species, and plant trees.

This year, Olympic National Park, Olympic National Forest and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will hold a volunteer sign-up and outreach event in conjunction with Public Lands Day. Representatives of each agency will be on hand to answer questions about volunteer opportunities. The event will be held at the DNR office at 411 Tillicum Lane in Forks on Friday, September 24 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

For information on volunteering in Olympic National Park, visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/olym/supportyourpark. For more information on volunteering on public lands, see the press release at www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News.