Celebrate National Public Lands Day!

Release Date: Sep 27, 2019

Contact(s): Darcy Weseman, (541) 278-3722

Fees Waived at Forest Service Day-Use Sites

Portland, Ore. – Join us on Saturday, Sept. 28 for National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands. To encourage people to join in and visit their public lands, the USDA Forest Service is waiving day-use fees at recreation sites across the Pacific Northwest.

Many National Public Lands Day volunteer projects are being held across Oregon and Washington. Projects include planting trees, building and repairing trails and bridges, removing trash and invasive plants, refurbishing historic structures, monitoring wildlife, and restoring natural habitats. To find a volunteer event near you, check with your local forest.

On Sept. 28, fees will be waived at Forest Service day-use recreation sites in Oregon and Washington. This fee waiver includes many picnic areas, boat launches, trailheads, and visitor centers. Fees for camping, cabin rentals, heritage expeditions, or other permits still apply. Fees will continue to be charged at recreation sites operated by concessionaires unless the individual manager chooses to participate. To find a recreation site near you, visit our interactive recreation map.

“Each year on National Public Lands Day, we celebrate our public lands along with the many dedicated volunteers who help us maintain and protect these special places,” said Glenn Casamassa, Pacific Northwest Regional Forester. “Thank you to all the volunteers and partners who contribute their time and energy helping to steward public lands for everyone to enjoy.”

Celebrated annually in September, National Public Lands Day brings together volunteers, agencies, and partner organizations to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health. Last year, over 113,000 National Public Lands Day participants volunteered at over 1,100 sites across the country, contributing a value of $11 million in public land improvements. To learn more about National Public Lands Day, visit www.neefusa.org/npld.

The Pacific Northwest Region consists of 16 National Forests, 59 District Offices, a National Scenic Area, and a National Grassland comprising 24.7 million acres in Oregon and Washington. To learn more about the U.S. Forest Service in the Pacific Northwest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/r6.

Contact: Stephen Baker, (503) 808-2690                                                                              

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.