This Saturday is National Public Lands Day, an annual event dedicated to giving back to our public lands.

Since so many of our public lands seem to be under assault recently – whether it be from fires or shortminded politicians who STILL won’t release a list of parks they want to close – now’s a good time to volunteer your time to keep them in good shape.

The Public Lands Day web site has a comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities for California – and even two for the Angeles National Forest!

One group will be working in the Lower Big Tujunga Canyon to clean up trash (and, probably, some fire debris), while the TreePeople will be working in the Chilao area replanting trees. I imagine there are still all sorts of restrictions up on who can get into these areas, so if you’re planning on lending a hand, please contact the event organizers before you head out in your car:

Angeles National Forest- Lower Big Tujunga Cyn

Trash pickup along Big Tujunga Canyon riparian habitat area.

Area of work: National Forest System Land from Forest Boundary to Stonyvale Picnic Area, approx. 3 miles.

Contact: Howard S. Okamoto and Raj Patel (Toyota)
Agency: US Forest Service/Toyota
Phone: (818) 899-1900
On the Web: www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles
Location: Big Tujunga Canyon Road | Tujunga, California 91042

Angeles National Forest

Tree planting and water trees.

Contact: Kristina Clark
Agency: TreePeople
Phone: (818)623-4846
On the Web: www.treepeople.org
Location: Charlton/Chalao Campground | La Canada/Flintridge, California 91011

There are also opportunities at the LA Zoo, Kenneth Hahn State Park, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the San Bernardinos, so be sure to check that list.

Any way you go, be sure to reward yourself on Sunday night with the first episode of Ken Burns’ The National Parks – America’s Best Idea at 8PM!

Tags: Angeles National Forest, kenneth hahn state park, national public lands day, San Bernardino National Forest, volunteer opportunities