Public Lands Day volunteers will receive free entry day

Fix-Up Day Seeks More Helpers for the Last Saturday in September

Saturday, Sept. 24, will be rewarded with a free entry day during the next year at any public land site managed by five federal agencies.

For the second year, volunteers who turn out at a site managed by the agencies will receive a coupon good for a "fee-free" day at that or any other site run by the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tens of thousands of volunteers will clear trails, build bridges, plant trees, and take part in hundreds of other activities on the 12th Annual National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 24, 2005. In what has become the largest volunteer hands-on effort of its kind in the U.S., participants will lend a hand to the very lands they use to hike, bike, climb, fish, swim, picnic, or just plain relax.

The fee-free entry day was initiated last year by National Public Lands Day, and is co-sponsored by Take Pride in America, a national partnership that aims to seek, support, and recognize volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands, reservoirs and wildlife refuges, as well as our cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds, and other recreation areas.

"Not only will volunteers get in free on the day of the event, when admission fees are waived," said Robb Hampton, Director of National Public Lands Day, "but they can come back later for free to enjoy the site they worked on, or try out a new one with no admission charge."

One of every three acres of land in the U.S. &endash; 600 million acres in all &endash; belongs to the America people. Since 1994, National Public Lands Day has dramatically demonstrated Americans' concern for their lands. What began with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers at three sites has mushroomed into an effort that last year attracted 80,000 volunteers, their community partners, and numerous federal, state and local agencies to 600 public parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, forests and grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes and reservoirs. The volunteers built or refurbished 500 miles of trails, constructed 60 bridges and 100 other structures, planted 6,600 trees and 15,200 plants, cleared nearly 60,000 pounds of invasive plants, and removed nearly 2 million pounds of trash. In all, over $10 million in improvements were contributed.

Those interested in volunteering can find local sites by calling toll-free 800-VOL-TEER (800-865- 8337), consulting related materials at their local Toyota dealer, or going to www.publiclandsday.org. The website offers downloadable photos and more information for the news media, as well.

Toyota's participation is guided by its Global Earth Charter, a comprehensive effort to promote conservation activities and protect the environment in all stages of the company's operation. The Toyota Prius, rated at 55 mpg by EPA, is the benchmark of gas/electric hybrid vehicles and is 90 percent cleaner for smog-forming emissions than the average vehicle. The company is introducing two hybrid SUVs this year -- the Lexus 400h and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Toyota obtained Gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for a new office complex at its headquarters in Torrance, Calif.

Besides Toyota and the five agencies participating in the fee-free offer, National Public Lands Day sponsors also include Clif Bar nutrition bars, the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency, and Tennessee Valley Authority. Numerous state and local agencies participate, as well as nonprofit groups such as the National Parks Conservation Association, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of the USA.

The event is managed by the National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, chartered by Congress in 1990 as a private nonprofit organization to develop and support environmental learning programs to meet social goals and build partnerships among government, the private sector and non- governmental organizations. See www.neetf.org for more information.