Gila NF Celebrates National Public Lands Day
Release Date: Sep 22, 2015
Contact(s): Punky Moore
SILVER CITY, NM; Sept. 22, 2015 – The public is invited to participate in National Public Lands Day (NPLD) activities with the Gila National Forest Saturday, Sept. 26. There will be a clean-up activity along Bear Mountain Road from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and another activity at the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm.
Volunteers for the clean-up activity will meet and receive a safety briefing at the Forest Supervisor’s Office, 3005 E. Camino del Bosque, Silver City, NM Sat. at 8:30 a.m. Participants will drive to the clean-up site and work from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Volunteers should prepare for changing weather and wear outdoor appropriate clothes – long sleeves, long pants and sturdy shoes. Please bring a small day pack with gloves, sunscreen, rain jacket, snack and water.
At the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Forest Service archaeologists will offer activities to explore dendrochronology (tree ring dating) and provide opportunities for the public to test their skills with an atlatl (spear thrower). Archaeologists will also lead interpretive tours at Scorpion Cliff Dwelling and Pictographs, located nearby on the Gila National Forest.
Adam Mendonca, Gila National Forest Supervisor says, “National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity to get outdoors, help improve public lands for outdoor recreation and learn more about our rich heritage. We hope you will join us.”
Brian Martinez, Recreation Natural Resource Specialist, requests that volunteers for the clean-up project call 575-388-8201 or stop by the Supervisor’s office by Sept. 25 to sign-up. Completed volunteer forms are required.
The focus of NPLD is to instill a sense of shared stewardship and educate the public about the importance of natural resources. More than 170,000 volunteers are expected to provide assistance in the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort to improve America’s public lands.