National Public Lands Day 2026

This year's theme celebrates our nation's 250th anniversary. National Public Lands Day is not a Federal holiday, but it is widely recognized and celebrated as a day of service and appreciation for America’s natural heritage.

This event began on July 30, 1994, as "Public Lands Appreciation Day." Soon afterward, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) took over the coordination, named it National Public Lands Day, and moved the date to the fourth Saturday in September.

"NEEF is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet." Source: NEEF As the celebration grew, the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and other agencies and organizations joined, making it the largest volunteer event for restoring and improving public lands.

Read remarks in the Congressional Record acknowledging National Public Lands Day volunteers.

• Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act (EXPLORE Act)* - To improve recreation opportunities on, and facilitate greater access to, Federal public land, and for other purposes.
• Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976* - To establish public land policy; to establish guidelines for its administration; to provide for the management, protection, development, and enhancement of the public lands; and for other purposes.
• Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979* - To protect archeological resources on public lands and Indian lands, and for other purposes.
• Great American Outdoors Act* - To prepare the National Park Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural resources of our National Parks for the enjoyment of present and future generations, and for other purposes.
• National Historic Preservation Amendments Act* - To prepare the National Park Service for its Centennial in 2016 and for a second century of promoting and protecting the natural, historic, and cultural resources of our National Parks for the enjoyment of present and future generations, and for other purposes.

Additional Resources

• See how NEEF and America250 unite volunteers to care for public lands.
• Check out the Volunteer.gov website to find out how you can volunteer to help improve and enjoy our treasured outdoor spaces. Volunteer.gov exists to connect volunteers to causes they care about — empowering them to make a difference.

*This links to a Statute Compilation, which is a compilation of the public law, as amended, and is an unofficial document and should not be cited as legal evidence of the law. Learn more.