Saturday, Sept. 27 is National Public Lands Day – the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands – and there are many ways to celebrate in our neck of the woods.
From free entrance at state parks, to an apple harvest and work parties, to a guided hike and scavenger hunt, we have some great ideas for you to help keep up and enjoy our natural spaces.
FREE ENTRANCE AT STATE PARKS
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to enjoy its parks on National Public Lands Day, a state parks free day. Day-use visitors will not need a Discover Pass (normally $10-$30) to visit. With more than 100 state parks in Washington, there are a plethora of wonderful places to choose from.
SEATTLE AREA EVENTS
Amy Yee Tennis Center Apple Harvest. Join City Fruit in harvesting apples from the orchards at the Amy Yee Tennis Center in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood, which will go to local food banks, meal programs and homeless shelters. Less-than-ideal apples will get pressed into cider on site; bring a clean jug (and a small donation) to bring some home. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Amy Yee Tennis Center, Seattle (Beacon Hill). https://cityfruit.org/event
Picnic in the Park. Bring your own picnic and join Nature Consortium for guided hikes, a scavenger hunt, live music and art activities. Learn more about the ongoing forest restoration work Nature Consortium organizes in the Seattle area. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle (Delridge). Accessible through the South Seattle College south parking lot. www.naturec.org/picnic-park
EASTSIDE WORK PARTIES
Evans Creek Preserve Work Party. Families with kids ages 10 and older can come help Washington Trails Association and the City of Sammamish establish a trail system on one of its newest park properties, Evans Creek. 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. www.wta.org/volunteer/trail-work-parties
Restore Clarke Beach on Mercer Island. Help remove invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry and English ivy. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. Gloves, tools, water, light refreshments and instructions will be provided. Noon to 2 p.m. www.earthcorps.org/volunteer.php
SOUTH SOUND WORK PARTIES
Lake Fenwick Park Work Party. Dress for the weather, wear gloves and closed-toe shoes, and come enjoy lovely views as you remove invasive plants and trim back vegetation on the trails. 9 a.m. to noon. Lake Fenwick Park, Kent. www.kentwa.gov/GreenKentEvent.aspx?id=25408
Mount Rainier Work Party. Help maintain trails and campgrounds at Mount Rainier. Free camping is available for volunteers at Longmire Campground (pre-register). Dress for the weather and bring lunch, water and work gloves. Meet at the Longmire Museum, about six miles east of the Nisqually entrance of Mount Rainier National Park. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. https://rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com
Priest Point Park Work Party. Help with restoration work along the beach trail at Priest Point Park in Olympia. Tools, gloves and light refreshments will be provided. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. https://olympiawa.gov
