Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For Immediate Release: September 04, 2008
Contact: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005

Forest Hosts Tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot, Public Lands Day Events

VANCOUVER, WA – Join us this fall for the Gifford Pinchot National Forest's tenth Annual Pick Up the Pinchot (P.U.P.) clean-up events.

There are three P.U.P. events scheduled for Saturday, September 27. These events are part of National Public Lands Day events scheduled across the country in late September.

“On National Public Lands Day, we all have a chance to contribute to the well being of our public lands for this and future generations of Americans,” said Al Matecko, Acting Forest Supervisor. “Last year, more than 150 people participated in PUP events, and worked on projects to remove trash and help restore the East Fork of the Lewis River.  We hope that people will continue to join us and volunteers around southwest Washington this year.”

The Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument (MSHNVM) in partnership with the Mount St. Helens Institute (MSHI) will host a clean-up on the south side of Mount St. Helens on Saturday, September 27. This event will start at 10 a.m. and last until 4 p.m. Volunteers should meet at the Marble Mountain Sno-Park. Following the cleanup there will be a potluck and barbecue (please bring a side dish or dessert to share).

The Cowlitz Valley Ranger District, along with Lewis County Fire Departments, Destination Packwood , Lewis County Solid Waste , the Highway Shopper, Mt. Rainier National Park, Americorps, and the Student Conservation Association is sponsoring a litter clean-up at recreation sites along Skate Creek north of Packwood, Wash, and along Forest Road 59 (Copper Creek) near Ashford, Wash. Volunteers are encouraged to contact Steve Hoecker, Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at (360) 497-1157 for more information.

The Mt. Adams Ranger District is hosting a Pick Up the Pinchot event, in the vicinity of the junction of Forest Roads 60 and 66 approximately 2 miles west of Peterson Prairie Campground, located near Trout Lake, Wash. Volunteers will pick up litter along roads and within dispersed campsites. This event will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers will meet at the junction of Road 60 and 66 at 9 a.m.

In addition, in recognition of National Public Lands Day, no fees will be charged on Saturday, September 27, at Northwest Forest Pass sites.

Nationwide, thousands of people will donate time to projects improving public lands on September 27. Volunteers should come equipped with, gloves, rain gear, water bottles and sturdy shoes or boots. Litterbags will be provided.

For information on upcoming P.U.P. events visit the Forest website or, contact:

• Peter Frenzen at MSHNVM (360) 449-7835 or Hailey Heath with the MSHI (360) 449-7883
• Steve Hoecker at Cowlitz Valley (360) 497-1157
• Julie Knutson, at Mt. Adams (509) 395-3410
  

Or visit the National Public Lands Day website to find other events in Washington State.

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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Thursday, 04 September 2008 at 18:26:42 EDT