National Public Lands Day on September 26 Keeps America’s 250th Year of Service Going

July 4th may be behind us, but the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration is far from over, and National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is a part of it.

On Saturday, September 26, communities across the country will mark the 33rd annual NPLD, one of the nation’s largest single-day volunteering event for public lands, as part of a nationwide push to make 2026 the biggest year of service in American history.

Caring for Our Shared America

Coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), NPLD brings together individuals, families, community groups, and public land agencies to care for and celebrate America’s outdoor spaces through activities like trail maintenance, tree planting, and beach clean-ups.

“This year’s theme, ’Caring for Our Shared America,’ speaks directly to what the nation’s 250th anniversary is all about,” said Sara Espinoza, president and CEO of NEEF. “National Public Lands Day gives people another hands-on way to be part of that story.”

A Bigger Movement in a Milestone Year

This year, NPLD is part of two national efforts encouraging people to give back and spend time outdoors.

NEEF has partnered with America250, the official organization leading the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration, on its America Gives campaign, an effort to make 2026 the largest year of volunteerism in U.S. history.

NEEF is also partnering with Outward Bound USA for The Reset, a national movement inviting young people and families to trade screens for the outdoors on September 26. Together, these partnerships amplify NPLD’s impact, connecting a day of hands-on stewardship to an even bigger national moment of service and connection.

NPLD by the Numbers

NPLD is more than a clean-up. It brings communities together, provides meaningful outdoor experiences, and highlights the educational, recreational, and health benefits of public lands.In 2025, more than 55,000 volunteers participated in over 900 NPLD events across the U.S., contributing an estimated $9.4 million in volunteer service.

National Public Lands Day is one of my favorite reminders of what people can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose.

Samantha Zurbuch, Nationwide Volunteers-In-Parks Program Coordinator at the National Park Service

“National Public Lands Day is one of my favorite reminders of what people can accomplish when we come together with a shared purpose,” said Samantha Zurbuch, Nationwide Volunteers-In-Parks Program Coordinator at the National Park Service. “Whether they’re caring for trails, restoring habitats, or serving in countless other ways, their dedication brings out the best in our public lands and our nation.”

The Partners Behind Every Event

NPLD comes to life through the work of federal and state agencies, including the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, state park systems, and local nonprofit partners. As the national coordinator of NPLD, NEEF brings those efforts together into one shared day for public lands.

We are honored to be working with NEEF to help support NPLD…America’s State Parks are living classrooms, gathering space and treasured landscapes that have inspired for generations.

Paul McCormack, president of the National Association of State Park Directors.

“We are honored to be working with NEEF to help support NPLD,” said Paul McCormack, president of the National Association of State Park Directors. “America’s State Parks are living classrooms, gathering space and treasured landscapes that have inspired for generations. By supporting NPLD we are all given a chance to honor these places by giving back to the public lands that belong to and connect us all.”

Events Across the Country

NEEF supports land managers and organizers with resources, grants, and an online platform to register and promote NPLD events.

Events take place across the country, from famous sites such as Yosemite and Mt. Rainier to neighborhood parks and green spaces.

Here’s a glimpse at some of them:

• Roll, toss, and help a burned landscape recover at Hafen Lane Park, Nevada: Make native seed balls and toss them into a burn scar.
• Learn to fish with a park ranger at Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama: Junior anglers can learn the basics, with supplies provided.
• Pull on some waders and help the wetlands at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, Washington, DC: Remove invasive plants and collect litter.
  
  
• Give back, then join the fun at Helen McCabe State Park Property, Washington: Volunteer, then enjoy fishing, scavenger hunts, and a bullfrog-catching challenge.
• Clean up the river at this year’s NPLD Signature Event near Mesa, Arizona: Remove trash during the 11th annual Lower Salt River Cleanup.
• Celebrate salmon, science, and song at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Washington: The 37th annual festival features music, archery, arts, and hands-on learning.

Get Involved

With hundreds of activities from Alaska to Florida, people of all ages and abilities can find local NPLD events on September 26. Use the resources below to get involved:

• Learn more about National Public Lands Day
• Find an event near you:Enter your zip code on NEEF’s interactive map.