PORTLAND, Ore. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites volunteers who aren’t afraid of the “Knights who say Ni” or shrubberies (Monty Python and the Holy Grail movie reference) to help it celebrate National Public Lands Day, Saturday, Sept. 25.
This event supports the nation’s largest single-day volunteer restoration effort for America’s public lands. Scouts, youth groups, civic clubs, families and individuals are encouraged to participate.
For their efforts, volunteers can stay in Pine Meadows Campground for free the night of the event. Volunteers will also receive a pass, which is good for free entry any day during the next year at public land sites managed by the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"During this event, we will plant vegetation that creates habitat for many species,” said Christie Johnson, Portland District park ranger. “We have 93 trees and shrubs to plant, so we are looking for a lot of volunteers to help us.”
The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pine Meadows Campground, which is south of Eugene. Volunteers will receive snacks and water. All volunteers should wear sturdy closed-toe shoes and long pants. Because COVID-19 is still posing a threat to our communities, please wear a face covering. If you feel ill, please stay home. Additionally, gloves and tools will be available at the event. The campground is at 75166 Cottage Grove Reservoir Road, Cottage Grove, Oregon.
Volunteers should pre-register no later than Sept. 20th by contacting the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers park ranger office at (541) 942-5631. For more information about National Public Lands Day, go to https://www.neefusa.org/npld.
Cottage Grove Dam and Reservoir is one of 13 dam and reservoir projects operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Willamette River drainage system. Each dam contributes to a water resource plan designed to provide flood risk management, power generation, irrigation, water quality improvement, fish and wildlife habitat and recreation on the Willamette River and many of its tributaries.
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