U.S. Forest Service, Volunteers Celebrate National Public Lands Day in September

(Gainesville, Ga.) - In September, the U.S. Forest Service, partnering organizations and volunteers will host a number of volunteer service events across Georgia's national forests in celebration of National Public Lands Day. Participants will join a coast-to-coast effort on Saturday, September 29 when more than 170,000 people are scheduled to come together at more than 2,000 sites in all 50 states to donate their time and effort to improving the public lands they enjoy every day. Nine separate volunteer events on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests this month include maintaining and improving trails, installing signs and fencing, and working to prevent the loss of hemlock trees.

"People cherish their national forests, and we're proud of the many volunteers who work to improve conditions on the land, protect natural resources and enjoy all that these places have to offer," said Forest Supervisor George Bain. "Without the energy and passion of volunteers, many of the quality outdoor recreation opportunities in Georgia's national forests wouldn't be possible."

National Public Lands Day encourages volunteers to explore and enjoy America's natural wonders through outdoor recreation. This year's events focus on a national commitment to supporting public lands, spending time outdoors and being more active. Research shows that one step to preventing childhood obesity, diabetes and depression is getting kids and families to spend more time outside.

"National Public Lands Day has become not only a way for people who love their local, state and national parks to give back and support them, but also a way for other people to learn about the public lands available in their own communities," said Robb Hampton, program director at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), which coordinates National Public Lands Day. "National Public Lands Day sites are benefitting from the volunteer hours and then offering their communities the opportunity to enjoy the time outdoors."

Scheduled events on Georgia's national forests in September include:

Frady Branch Trail (Chattooga River Ranger District), Saturday, September 8, 8:30 a.m., cosponsored by Chattahoochee Trail Horse Association (CTHA) and Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA). Volunteers should meet at Frady Branch Trailhead in Stephens County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions contact Debbie Crowe at georgiacrowes22@bellsouth.net or call Janice Miller at (706) 754-6221.

Sosebee Cove Trail (Blue Ridge Ranger District), Thursday, September 13, 8:00 a.m., cosponsored by Mountain High Hikers. Volunteers should meet at the Blue Ridge Ranger District Work Center in Union County to organize for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions, contact Taylor Hamilton at kthamilton@fs.fed.us or call (706) 745-6928.

Track Rock Trail (Blue Ridge Ranger District), Thursday, September 13, 8:00 a.m., cosponsored by Mountain High Hikers. Volunteers should meet at the Blue Ridge Ranger District Work Center in Union County to organize for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions, contact Taylor Hamilton at kthamilton@fs.fed.us or call (706) 745-6928.

Byron Herbert Reece Trail (Blue Ridge Ranger District), Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m., cosponsored by Georgia Appalachian Trail Club. Volunteers should meet at the Byron Herbert Reece Trailhead in Union County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions, contact Taylor Hamilton at kthamilton@fs.fed.us or call (706) 745-6928.

Rough Ridge Trail (Conasauga Ranger District), Saturday, September 15, 9:30 a.m., cosponsored by Team Conasauga. Volunteers should meet at Three-Forks Trailhead in Murray County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions contact Karen Larsen at kalarsen@fs.fed.us or call (706) 695-6736.

Ocmulgee Bluff Trail (Oconee Ranger District), Saturday, September 29, 8:00 a.m., cosponsored by Back Country Horsemen of Central and South Georgia, Heart of Dixie Horse Lovers Club, Rockdale Trail Blazers and Georgia Horse Council. Volunteers should meet at Ocmulgee Bluff Equestrian Trailhead in Jasper County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions contact Jeff McDonald at jmcdonald@fs.fed.us or call (706) 485-7110.

Oakey Mountain Motorized Trails (Chattooga River Ranger District), Saturday, September 29, 9:00 a.m., cosponsored by Georgia Recreational Trail Riders Association (GARTRA). Volunteers should meet at Oakey Mountain Trailhead in Rabun County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions contact Janice Miller at janicepmiller@fs.fed.us or call (706) 754-6221.

Bartram Trail (Chattooga River Ranger District), Saturday, September 29, 9:00 a.m., cosponsored by CoTrails. Volunteers should meet at Warwoman Dell Recreation Area in Rabun County for a day of trail maintenance activities. To sign up and for directions contact Larry Thomas at lrthomas@fs.fed.us or call (770) 297-3030.

Noontootla Hemlock Conservation Area (Blue Ridge Ranger District), Saturday, September 29, 10:00 a.m., cosponsored by Save Georgia's Hemlocks and Benton MacKaye Trail Association. Volunteers may join a "Hike and Help for the Hemlocks" event near Three Forks in Fannin County to treat hemlock trees and learn more through a short educational program. To sign up and for directions contact Donna Shearer at donna@savegeorgiashemlocks.org or call (706) 429-8010.

Volunteers should bring a lunch, snacks, or food to share, plenty of water, and a daypack to carry it all. They are asked to wear work gloves, sturdy shoes and bring a hard hat or bicycle helmet if one is owned. Most tools are provided by the Forest Service and partner organizations.

Among other partners, these National Public Lands Day events are supported by CoTrails, which is a collaborative effort among trail users and the Forest Service working together to develop a diverse, quality trail system that is maintainable and ecologically sustainable on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests. Visit www.CoTrails.org for more information on these and other upcoming volunteer trail events.

For general information about the national forests, please visit the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/conf or call (770) 297-3000. For more information about National Public Lands Day, visit the website at www.publiclandsday.org.

The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests provide the finest outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources in Georgia. Featuring nearly 118,000 acres of designated Wilderness, hundreds of miles of clear-running streams and rivers, approximately 850 miles of recreation trails, and dozens of campgrounds, picnic areas, and other recreation activity opportunities, these lands are rich in natural scenery, history and culture. The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is part of the Southern Region, with the Forest Supervisor's office in Gainesville, Georgia, managing four District units in Blairsville (Blue Ridge District), Lakemont (Chattooga River District), Chatsworth (Conasauga District), and Eatonton (Oconee District).

Contact:
Judy Toppins
770-297-3061