Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 13, 2013
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Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to recognize Day to Serve, National Public Lands Day with events Sept. 18 -28
(RICHMOND) — As part of Gov. Bob McDonnell's Days of Service, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation will recognize Day to Serve and National Public Lands Day with special events in four natural area preserves and all 36 Virginia State Parks Sept. 18-28.
Days to Serve will be held in natural area preserves Sept. 18, 19, 25 and 27.
The multistate Day to Serve effort gathers members of the faith and nonprofit communities, Virginia's food banks and engaged citizens to participate in service projects in their communities.
National Public Lands Day, Sept. 28, is the nation's largest volunteer effort to improve and enhance public land. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the volunteer initiative.
“Public land is protected and preserved as a public trust,” said DCR Director David Johnson. “Each of us has a sacred obligation to future generations to properly maintain public lands. Day to Serve and National Public Lands Day give us an opportunity to appreciate and support our state parks and natural areas through a variety of programs and volunteer opportunities.”
State parks will hold special programs, shoreline, trail and park cleanups and provide visitors opportunities to enjoy the outdoors while volunteering.
Visitors to Staunton River Battlefield in Randolph can become “citizen scientists” as they learn about Monarch butterflies and how to catch and tag them for the Monarch Watch project.
Volunteers at Westmoreland State Park in Montross who participate in a cleanup hike will receive a complimentary keychain.
A complete list of the National Public Lands Day projects and events in Virginia State Parks can be found on the Virginia State Parks calendar page at http://go.usa.gov/D8zk.
Day to Serve events in natural area preserves:
A beach and trail cleanup, Wednesday Sept. 18, 10 a.m., at Hughlett Point Natural Area Preserve, Northumberland County;
A cleanup day, Thursday Sept. 19, at the Cedars Natural Area Preserve, Lee County;
A tidal trash cleanup, Wednesday Sept. 25, 9 a.m. at Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve, Stafford County;
A beach cleanup Friday Sept. 27, 10 a.m. at Savage Neck Dunes Natural Area Preserve, Northampton County.
For more information about these events, visit: http://bit.ly/1eIQgS9.
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