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 Army Corps seeks volunteers to restore public
lands
Registration
is underway for National Public Lands Day, September 27, 2008
The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers is seeking volunteers to help restore our region’s public
recreation areas.
Several Pittsburgh
District parks will contribute to the National Public Lands Day goal of
planting 1 million trees in 2008. Other events include trail
restoration, litter removal and invasive species removal.
The national goal is to
increase from last year’s 110,000 volunteers by at least an additional
10,000 participants this year. Every 100,000 volunteers who participate
in National Public Lands Day represent an additional $1.8 million worth
of labor for American lands. The estimated dollar value of volunteer
time is $18.77 per hour for 2006, based on data from the US Bureau of
Labor Statistics and Independent Sector.
Benefits for participating in National Public Lands Day are endless and
include:
·
Preserving American Lands:
One third of America's land belongs to the public, and may be used for
everything from recreation and relaxing to logging and mining for
natural resources. National Public Lands Day is a yearly chance for
Americans to take ownership of these lands, which are constantly
threatened by human causes such as deforestation and pollutants and
natural causes like disasters and erosion.
·
Building Cleaner and Safer Communities: Neighborhood cleanups around
National Public Lands Day, not only makes the surrounding areas look
nicer, but participants can get a greater sense of belonging by helping
to make their community healthier, safer, and prettier. Students and
adults can enhance their resume and make important networking contacts
while gaining valuable experience as well.
·
Experiencing Nature: Families can tour national parks and many
state parks for free on this date, and learn about wildlife habitats
while working to benefit them. It is an opportunity to enjoy nature,
exercise, and make a positive difference in the environment.
National Public Lands
Day is organized by the National Education Environmental Foundation,
this year in partnership with the Invasive Species Council. Those
interested in organizing a project or volunteering should visit
www.publiclandsday.org. The website offers tips for site organizers
and more information for the news media. For event listings click
here
To find the park closest to you click the
District Map
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Youghiogheny
River Lake – On Saturday, September 27, 2008, 13 boys and 8 leaders and
parents from Cub Scout Pack 155 and Boy Scout Troop 150 of the Penn
Woods Council, Forbs Trail Region participated in the 2008 Youghiogheny
River Lake National Public Lands Day Clean-up. After a short safety talk
the scouts and leaders cleaned-up the Tub Run Campground and recreation
area. Over an hour and a half of tenacious searching in this well kept
and manicured area the scouts collected over 18 garbage bags of trash, a
tire and other pieces of scrap iron. The scouts provided a tremendous
service to the Corps of Engineers improving the beauty of the recreation
area. Their efforts were greatly appreciated, and a good time was had by
all!
“We
can’t even find some of the tents,” says Park Manager Pete O’Connell.
Some residents were too shook up to stick around after the five-minute
ordeal. Maintenance workers Paul Lewis and Robert Hickins arrived at the
park around 11 p.m. to join Pete and Rangers Chuck Brudowsky, Hank
Sallmen, Kyle Kraynak in clearing the roads so that people could leave.
The Transfer Volunteer Fire Department also assisted in clearing roads
and debris. Park staff are spending the day cleaning up the camping
grounds and will later visit more remote timberlands to assess damage.
For more information on the storm, visit a Sharon Herald article at
