ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Albuquerque District welcomes volunteers to continue the annual tradition of public service by participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 26. Events will be held both virtually and in-person where possible and with COVID-19 safety precautions in place. See below for information on events in the USACE-Albuquerque District.
Volunteers who participate in one of USACE’s National Public Lands Day in-person activities will be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers should check with their local USACE lake office for more information. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from the date of issuance and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency’s park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support USACE projects participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at USACE sites will take part in tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats, harvesting prairie plant seeds and rehabilitating playgrounds.
National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. Established in 1994 and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, the event brings out thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands around the country. The theme for NPLD 2020 is "More Ways to Connect to Nature."
Last year more than 10,200 volunteers served 37,000 hours on USACE-managed lands, removing 112,000 pounds of trash, cleaning 840 miles of roadways and shoreline, planting 3,000 trees and shrubs, improving 177 acres of habitat, and engaging 296 partner organizations.
In-person National Public Lands Day events in the Albuquerque District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:
Abiquiu Lake, New Mexico:
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020
Time: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Additional Information: Volunteers can stop by Group Shelter #3 next to the main boat ramp in the Cerrito Recreation Area at Abiquiu Lake any time from 9:00 am to 1:00 on the 26th to sign in, pick up trash bags and gloves, and get a quick safety brief. Volunteers will then go out to an area of their choosing to collect trash. When done, simply leave trash bags in the nearest parking lot.
During the pandemic a record number of people have been taking advantage of our public lands. While we are happy to have so many people enjoying our park, with the increase in visitors comes an increase in the trash left behind. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in small groups or families. Please bring a mask, water, and whatever else is needed. Unfortunately, food will not be provided this year.
Photo contest: Volunteers are encouraged to take a photo of themselves, their group, or family participating and post them on Facebook with hashtag #AbiquiuNPLD2020. The top photos will receive a prize bag.
For more information, or details on how you or your organization can help, call the Abiquiu Lake Project Office at 505-685-4371.
Abiquiu Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Abiquiu-Lake/
Follow Abiquiu Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbiquiuLakeUSACE/
John Martin Reservoir, Colorado:
When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020
Time: 8:00 am
Additional Information: Volunteers will focus on trash pickup along the disc golf course and the south shore. Remember to bring plenty of water and continue practicing social distancing. For more information, contact the project office at 719-336-3476.
John Martin Reservoir website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/John-Martin-Reservoir/
Follow John Martin Reservoir on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnMartinReservoirUSACE/
Additionally, Conchas Lake, NM, and Trinidad Lake, Colo., will be hosting virtual events. Please contact the respective project offices for more information.
Conchas Lake Project Office: 575-868-2221
Conchas Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Conchas-Lake/
Follow Conchas Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConchasLake/
Trinidad Lake Project Office: 719-846-7990
Trinidad Lake website: https://www.spa.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Recreation/Trinidad-Lake/
Follow Trinidad Lake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrinidadLakeUSACE
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