Pitch in for National Public Lands Day!
From Sept. 19–26, people are encouraged to “pitch in for public lands” to focus on clearing litter from parks, wildlife areas, trails, and other outdoor spaces to celebrate National Public Lands Day (NPLD), which falls on Sept. 26.
Learn more and sign up on the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust website.
“Over the last several months, we’ve seen a huge increase of visitors enjoying lands around the state,” said Kelly Susewind, Director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. “We’re glad to have more people enjoying the beautiful outdoors, and we’re asking people to do their part to protect our precious public lands that sustain wildlife habitat and recreation opportunities for current and future generations. I encourage hunters, anglers, wildlife watchers, hikers, and other outdoor adventurers to take part in the Love Your Lands campaign and pick up trash from your local wildlife or water access area.”
Due to the individualized nature of this campaign, people can go out and pick up trash on public lands at their convenience. Participants have the option of staying close to home, or taking supplies to clean up where they are already recreating outdoors.
Not sure where to go?
The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, together with input from land management partners, compiled a map that includes “hot spots” where a high concentration of trash has accumulated this summer.
NPLD trash drop-off locations
Please do not leave your bags of trash at parks or trailheads. Even if there is a trash bin at the location, it is not the proper method for disposing of large quantities of collected trash. Contributing to overflowing bins or leaving piles at parks and trailheads will only add to the trash issue we’re all trying to solve, as it runs the risk of attracting wildlife and causing a major mess and headache for land management agency staff members!
If at all possible, please dispose of your collected trash in your own household waste stream. This is the most effective way to ensure proper disposal. If you need an alternative location to drop off the trash you’ve collected, see the trash drop-off locations that will be available Sept. 19–26.
