Written by Alexa Koch, Department of Defense Science & Monitoring Associate
What is National Public Lands Day?
National Public Lands Day (NPLD), organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands. Celebrated annually on the fourth Saturday of September, this year's NPLD will be on September 28, 2024. The event honors the beauty and importance of our public lands, including national parks, historic sites, memorials, monuments, conservation areas, wildlife refuges, and even Department of Defense lands.
NPLD fosters connections between people and natural spaces through education, environmental stewardship, and volunteer efforts. It’s also a Fee-Free Day, where entrance fees to all national parks and public lands are waived, making it more accessible to everyone. Many sites organize volunteer events to help preserve and maintain our natural spaces for future generations. These activities include trail maintenance, tree and garden planting, beach clean-ups, and more. Volunteers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate, making NPLD the perfect opportunity to give back to the natural spaces we cherish.
MJV’s Work on Department of Defense Public Lands
You may be wondering how the MJV’s work and public lands intersect. Public lands, including military installations, are crucial for environmental conservation. With over 640 million acres of public lands across the United States, they encompass diverse ecosystems essential for pollinator habitats. These lands often benefit from federal protections, furthering their preservation.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) manages over 26 million acres of public land. Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) is currently surveying DoD lands across the country to assess monarch habitats and collaborate with DoD staff on management practices that support both pollinator conservation and military training missions.
This work is made possible through the Monarch Butterfly Conservation Program, a partnership between the *DoD Legacy Resource Management Program and the U.S. Forest Service International Programs. The initiative helps DoD natural resource managers balance training needs with conserving the monarch migration. MJV, in partnership with Environment for the Americas, began conducting monarch habitat surveys in March 2024 as part of the Integrated Monarch Monitoring Program (IMMP). Surveys are being carried out at 49 military installations across the monarch's migratory range, and more are planned for the upcoming survey season. You can view a map of these installations and learn more about our work on the MJV’s DoD page here.
Multiple DoD installations are hosting events for NPLD, including Little Rock Air Force Base. On September 27 and 28, the public can volunteer at Little Rock Air Force Base for a work day restoring Pollinator Habitat walking trails and planting a new pollinator garden. Participants will learn about local pollinators and flower species and connect with the habitat management team. For more information, view the event flyer here.
How to Find National Public Lands Day Events
For more information about National Public Lands Day and the National Environmental Education Foundation, visit the NEEF website at neefusa.org. There, you’ll find an interactive map detailing 2024 NPLD events nationwide.
*About the DoD Legacy Program Overview
The DoD Legacy Resource Management Program supports the military’s combat readiness mission by ensuring continued access to the 26.9 million acres of military land, air, and water resources needed to accomplish vital testing, training, and operational activities. DoD invests significant resources to implement long-term conservation programs, which, in turn, help sustain the Nation’s priceless natural and cultural heritage. For more information, visit the Legacy Program’s Fact Sheet here.