Public lands day on Saturday

by Ted Schubel | Sep 23, 2021 | Outdoors

Virginians own more than 13% of the land in our state. According to the Nature Conservancy, when you add up the acreage of our state parks, forests and local parks, we have 3.7 million acres of public land.

Between 09/23/2021 and 10/03/2021
(20) Events Found For Event Types
National Events

Bear Creek Lake State Park 22 Bear Creek Lake Rd., Cumberland, VA 23040 Phone: 804-492-4410 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/bear-creek-lake
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event National Public Lands Day Location: Various locations in the park. National Public Lands Day gives everyone a special day to celebrate our rich array of state and national public lands by performing simple volunteer stewardship actions. At the park, opportunities are available to keep our trails in top notch. If you or a group would like lend some helping hands, contact: [email protected] At 1 p.m. there will be a ranger-led walk titled Plant Invaders:Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “a weed is but a plant whose virtues remain undiscovered.” Some weeds considered noxious are non-native, invasive plants. At first glance they may appear pretty, but invasive plants can pose serious environmental threats. Join a ranger for a stroll around the archery range to look at several species of plants to consider their benefit as well as their shortcomings. Activities will adhere to the current Virginia COVID-19 guidelines as seen on http://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus
09/25/2021	National Event 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.Plant Invader Location: Archery Range What is a weed? Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “a weed is but a plant whose virtues remain undiscovered.” Some weeds considered noxious are non-native, invasive plants. At first glance they may appear pretty, but invasive plants can pose serious environmental threats. Join a ranger on National Public Lands Day for a stroll around the archery range to look at several species of plants to consider their benefit as well as their shortcomings.

Belle Isle State Park 1632 Belle Isle Rd., Lancaster, VA 22503 Phone: 804-462-5030 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/belle-isle
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.National Public Lands/ Virginia Public Lands Day Location: Camp Store Help us clean up our park! Help preserve and protect the beautiful Belle Isle State Park that you love. Stop by the camp store anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to pick up a trash bag, gloves and borrow a trash grabber (supply limited). Then pick your favorite trail and challenge yourself to pick up every piece of trash you see. Even the tiny pieces of trash can cause a big problem. Bottle caps, cigarette butts, the corner off a candy wrapper can all negatively impact wildlife. Please help us clean up our park! In honor of National Public Lands Day, all parking fees will be waived.

Caledon State Park 11617 Caledon Rd., King George, VA 22485 Phone: 540-663-3861 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/caledon
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Visitor Center Join us at Caledon State Park as we do our part to maintain our public lands with Natural Play Area maintenance from 9am to 11am and a big beach clean from 11am to 2pm. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate! Wear something comfortable that you can get dirty. Transportation will be provided to the beach. Masks are required on the wagon. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. To register as a volunteer, call (540)663-3861 or stop by the Visitor Center.

Douthat State Park 14239 Douthat State Park Rd., Millboro, VA 24460 Phone: 540-862-8100 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/douthat
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day/Virginia Public Lands Day Location: Discovery Center Douthat State Park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the period of 1933-1936. Their goal was to protect Virginia’s natural resources and to provide a place for families to experience and enjoy those resources well into the future. Please join us in our work to continue that mission. Join park ranger guides for an interpretive hike and trail clean-up. We will be picking up litter, downed sticks and limbs along the trail. This 0.79 mil moderate hike will follow Tobacco House Ridge Trail from the intersection of Blue Suck Falls Trail to White Oak Campground and will offer an outstanding view of the lake. Make sure to wear closed toed shoes and bring a bottle of water.

First Landing State Park 2500 Shore Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23451 Phone: 757-412-2300 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/first-landing
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.Shoreline Cleanup – An International Coastal Cleanup Event – Natl Public Lands Day Location: Meet at the Visitor Center on Shore Drive International Coastal Cleanup is a global event raising awareness of the serious problem of ocean and waterway pollution. Contribute to the health of our water by helping to clean up our Park beaches in partnership with Clean Virginia Waterways. Bring a reusable water bottle and a hat, and we will provide the trash bags and gloves! Sign up here and find more information: https://forms.gle/9Jv7nMfiAsfSeGKC7 COVID-19 Guidelines for the cleanup can be found at: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/SafetyPlan.html Parking: FREE for VA and National Public Lands Day. Phone: 757-412-2300 Volunteer Coordinator: yle=

High Bridge Trail State Park (Mailing address) 6888 Green Bay Rd., Green Bay, VA 23942 Phone: 434-315-0457 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/high-bridge-trail
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.National Public Lands Day – Bird Survey and Site Cleanup Location: Rochelle Tract, High Bridge Trail State Park The Margaret Watson Bird Club will co-host a site cleanup and birding adventure with High Bridge Trail as we celebrate National Public Lands Day. Help our local bird club conduct an informal bird survey of wild birds on our park property. The Rochelle Tract is just off of the main High Bridge Trail about 1.7 miles east of Farmville. We will depart from the Charley’s Waterfront Restaurant parking lot at 8:30 a.m. Participants will follow our park vehicle in their cars to Burke’s road to access the area. Dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes, and carry water. We recommend bringing binoculars, but the park has some that will be available. We welcome all visitors to this program which will be enjoyable and informative at all knowledge and experience levels. The cleanup will be held on site, followed by the bird survey. For more information, contact the High Bridge Trail State Park office at 434-315-0457.
09/25/2021	Event Canceled! Unforeseen Circumstances National Event 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.Bike & Brew NPLD Edition Location: High Bridge Plaza This ride is for all those who have been enjoying, or want to enjoy, National Public Lands Day! Every State park has planned a cool activity to get people engaged in volunteering services in protecting our beautiful planet. High Bridge has a large amount of mountain bike trails that meander through Prince Edwards unique ecosystems. Sept. 25th at 9am we will be studying these ecosystems while removing trash. To celebrate the hard work we will be hosting a bike ride that evening lead by Ranger Clint from Farmville to High Bridge and back. We invite everyone to attend this event and welcome everyone to fellowship at Three Roads Brewing Company following the ride. For more information or questions please call the main office.

Hungry Mother State Park 2854 Park Blvd., Marion, VA 24354 Phone: 276-781-7400 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day – Kayak Lake Cleanup Location: Meet at the Dock ‘N’ Shop The only thing better than giving back to our beautiful public lands is getting to enjoy a beautiful morning in a boat at the same time. We will be gathering trash and debris from Hungry Mother Lake in the morning and following it with a bonfire and hot dog lunch at 11:30 a.m. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. You may also register to use one of ours by calling the Discovery Center at (276) 781-7400 by 4 p.m. on Friday, September 24. Must be age ten or older.

Kiptopeke State Park 3540 Kiptopeke Dr., Cape Charles, VA 23310 Phone: 757-331-2267 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/kiptopeke
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day – Beach and Trail Cleanup Location: Picnic Area & Park Office Come celebrate National Public Lands Day at Kiptopeke State Park! Parking fees in all Virginia State Parks are waived for this special day – and several interpretive programs are planned for this day, including a beach and trail cleanup! From 8-9 am, visit the Picnic Area to meet a park ranger and discuss litter and how it can harm the environment. The park will have cleanup bags and gloves to hand out to volunteers! If you can’t make it in the morning, stop by the park office at anytime during the day to pick up cleanup supplies! Bring proof to the office that you collected a bag of trash and receive a coupon for a free day of parking at any Virginia State Park (limit one per family)!

Leesylvania State Park 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge, VA 22191 Phone: 703-730-8205 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/leesylvania
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day: Shoreline Clean-Up Location: Meet at the playground Celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering at your local state park! Join rangers and other volunteers at Leesylvania State Park and help clean up our beaches and shoreline. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Don’t forget your reusable water bottle and sunscreen! Meet at the playground to pick up supplies. Please register for this event by calling the visitor center and leaving a message at (703)-583-6904. All parking fees are waived for this event.

Mason Neck State Park 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079 Phone: 703-339-2385 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Visitor Center Can you help keep Mason Neck State Park looking good? The Potomac and Occoquan Rivers bring trash of all kinds to the shores of the Park. The Friends of Mason Neck State Park will lead a cleanup of the shoreline. We ll have gloves, trash bags and a few grabbers to help you pick up the smaller stuff. Please bring waterproof shoes or boots. Thanks to the generosity of Prince William Marina, we ll have snacks available to keep your energy levels high while you clean up the park.

Natural Bridge State Park 6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA 24578 Phone: 540-291-1326 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/natural-bridge
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.Public Lands Day Location: Visitor Center Parking Lot Help protect the environment and your community this year during Public Lands Day at Natural Bridge State Park. Volunteers will join Park Rangers for a road cleanup around Natural Bridge State Park’s Adopt Highways. Volunteers will meet at 9:30 am in the Visitor Center Parking Lot. Once there, we will break into teams and begin our road cleanup by 10:00 am. We will conclude the day by 2:00 pm. All volunteers will wear closed toed shoes and provide a water source. All equipment will be provided by Natural Bridge State Park. If you have any questions or would like to pre-register for this event, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Volunteer Coordinator: [email protected].

Pocahontas State Park 10301 State Park Rd., Chesterfield, VA 23832 Phone: 804-796-4255 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day-Native Plant Gardening Location: Camp Store Please join us as we establish a native plant garden at the Pocahontas State Park camp store. We have worked to prepare the soil, created a design- with a local native plant vendor, and acquired native plants. Now we need our volunteers to help us with the fun part: planting. Please wear closed toed shoes, bring water, a snack, sunscreen, bugspray, and work gloves if you have them. Tools will be provided. Email [email protected] for more information and registration.

Powhatan State Park 4616 Powhatan State Park Rd., Powhatan, VA 23139 Phone: 804-598-7148 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/powhatan
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day – Cemetery Restoration Location: Overflow Parking Join Powhatan State Park for National Public Lands Day as we work to restore a historic cemetery. We will be clearing away brush from overgrown plots, Installing fences and planting native plants to create a sustainable landscape that can be appreciated by all who visit. Pre-register by calling 804-598-7148, or by email at [email protected]. Please include “Public Lands Day” in the subject line. There is free parking/admission for this day.

Seven Bends State Park 2111 South Hollingsworth Road, Woodstock, VA 22664 Phone: 540-622-6840 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/seven-bends
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Entrance Sign on South Hollingsworth Rd – 2111 S Hollingsworth Rd Leave your mark for future generations to enjoy by volunteering in our new natural play space, “River’s Way”. Do you remember climbing trees or running on logs as a child? Our natural play space is bringing this back. With this space, we will inspire learning and exploring by helping children of all ages to connect with nature. Join us by getting the space ready to welcome park guests in the spring. Parking fees will be waived for participants. Please register at : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-public-lands-day-tickets-162855329675

Sky Meadows State Park 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane, VA 20144 Phone: 540-592-3556 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Carriage Barn in the Historic Area A blight decimated American Chestnut trees in North American in the 1920s. One hundred years later, Sky Meadows State Park has teamed up with the Virginia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation to grown and maintain and American Chestnut seed orchard to one day repopulate the forests with American Chestnuts. Join Rangers and volunteers with the American Chestnut Foundation as we mulch and tend to various needs of the orchard. Meet at the Carriage Barn in the Historic Area at 10 a.m. No experience is required. Please dress for the weather, be sure to wear sturdy hiking boots and bring water, lunch, bug spray and sun screen. You may also observe National Public Lands Day by participating in “Bike Your Park Day.” Bring (or ride) your bicycle to Sky Meadows State Park to explore our 9 miles of bike trails. This year Adventure Cycling Association encourages participants to organize and take part in a virtual event or an in-person ride that follows safety guidelines.

Southwest Virginia Museum 10 West First St., Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Phone: 276-523-1322 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/southwest-virginia-museum
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Museum Grounds Lend your valuable time, energy and creativity to the ongoing work on the grounds of the park. The park will sponsor a volunteer cleanup and landscape beautification day with specific activities depending on the park’s needs in September.

Widewater State Park 101 Widewater State Park Road, Stafford, VA 22554 Phone: 540-288-1400 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/widewater
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Meet Outside the Visitor Center Celebrate National Public Lands Day by volunteering at your local state park! At Widewater there are two opportunities for volunteer efforts. All parking fees are waived. Option 1: Working in our Native Garden – We have a native demonstration garden that we have been working on for a few months and the biggest task is keeping all of the grass and weeds out. We don’t use herbicides or pesticides. We do it the old-fashioned way of pulling weeds. If you would like, you can bring a simple hand gardening tool you would like to try out and something to put under your knees for comfort. Rangers will give information on what we would like to remove and what will stay in the garden. Option 2: Patawomeck Yehakin – We are working to build a replica, Algonquin-style longhouse that is constructed of saplings. We are looking for 3 to 4 volunteers over the age of 14 to assist staff with stripping bark from saplings as well assist with installing some of the framing. What to Bring/Wear: Please bring gloves, appropriate footwear, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug-spray. In Case of Inclement Weather: Postponed to October 2.

Wilderness Road State Park 8051 Wilderness Rd., Ewing, VA 24248 Phone: 276-445-3065 Email Address: [email protected] Web Site: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/wilderness-road
Date	Event
09/25/2021	National Event 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.National Public Lands Day Location: Picnic Shelter #1 Wilderness Road State Park invites you to experience National Public Lands Day. Join us and explore Indian Ridge Trail. Learn about the Tulip Poplar, Red Cedar, and the American Chestnut. Discover how to identify these iconic trees and their use on the far reaches of Virginia’s frontier throughout the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

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