Volunteers to Lend a Hand on National Public Lands Day 2011

Date: September 1, 2011
Contact: Deidre Gibson , [phone]

NPS/Loeb

Volunteers are invited to roll up their sleeves and get dirty help to spruce up Valley Forge National Historical Park on Saturday, September 24, 2011 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

The annual event, now in its 18^th year, is the nation's largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the nation's 600 million acres of public lands.Activities at Valley Forge begin at 8:30 a.m. with walk-in registration and volunteer sign-in.Participants are asked to come prepared in appropriate attire, shoes, and to bring gloves.All activities will start from the Visitor Center lower parking area.Volunteers will have the opportunity to make a real difference in the park by joining park staff to remove invasive plants and crayfish, conduct trails maintenance, and much more.

"We plan to have many projects for volunteers to choose from, as well as a guided nature hike led by the Audubon Society, an educational activity for children 3 years old and up, and an Environmental Expo.We hope that volunteers who participate in these important activities on National Public Lands Day will discover the value and importance of this special place and will continue to stay connected to the park throughout the year by additional volunteering, joining the Friends of Valley Forge Park, shopping at the Encampment Store located in the park's Visitor Center, or just enjoying the park recreational resources" said Barbara Pollarine, Acting Superintendent.

She added that "We're happy to be partnering again with REI for the 6^th year in a row for this important public event, and appreciate their commitment and dedication to preserving our environment."REI will be providing tee-shirts to the first 200 volunteers on event day, so get here early!

In 2010 at Valley Forge, more than 300 participants planted native trees and plants, maintained trails and replica solider huts, removed trash, stabilized streambanks along Valley Creek, removed invasive plants, and much more.

Following the event's festivities there will be a BBQ Lunch located in the Visitor Center lower parking lot hosted by the Young Friends of Valley Forge Park.Donations for the BBQ Lunch are suggested.