2019’s National Public Lands Day will fall on Saturday, Sept. 28, coinciding with many homecoming festivities taking place at or near the SUU campus.
In celebration of National Public Lands Day, all national parks, monuments, recreation areas and other participating federal sites are offering free admission to the public.
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park are three public lands within close proximity to Cedar City that can be utilized for free during this day (each normally requiring a fee for admittance).
First organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation in 1994, the day celebrates the health benefits of being in the outdoors, and includes nationwide volunteer efforts in America’s public lands.
According to the NEEFA website, “Each year, hundreds of thousands of volunteers come together on the fourth Saturday in September to assist with various projects designed to restore and enhance public parks, forests, waterways and more.”
Local projects taking place on Saturday include a Bureau of Land Management volunteer effort to construct a mountain bike skills track at Three Peaks from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
NEEFA also advocates that spending time in the outdoors has been found to improve short-term memory, concentration and creativity—while reducing the effects of stress and anxiety.
National Public Lands Day is centered in education and stewardship and stewardship of public lands, and includes a number of activities hosted by participating agencies.
Story and Photo by: Reyce Knutson
outdoors@suunews.net
Flyer courtesy nps.gov
