Canyon Ferry Reservoir will be part of the 14th annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) on Saturday, September 29. This is an opportunity for citizens to dedicate a Saturday to the very lands where they go to hike, bike, climb, swim, explore, picnic, or just plain relax. Local volunteers are needed to participate in a shoreline cleanup around Canyon Ferry Reservoir in the morning, followed by an afternoon lunch at the Canyon Ferry Visitor Center, courtesy of the Bureau of Reclamation. Volunteers should wear proper clothing in case of cool and windy weather, and sturdy boots or shoes are necessary. Reclamation asks that you bring gloves if you have them; some gloves will be available. Trash bags and tools will be provided. Volunteers are asked to register at the Canyon Ferry Visitor Center, 7700 Canyon Ferry Road, between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM on September 29, 2007. Dan Gallagher can be reached at (406) 475-3925 for more specific information.

The overwhelming national participation in National Public Lands Day demonstrates that Americans have a desire to take care of their environment. The first event was sponsored by three federal agencies and attracted 700 volunteers to three sites. Last year, some 100,000 volunteers, their community partners, and numerous federal, state and local agencies worked to improve public parks, monuments, wildlife refuges, forests, grasslands, marine sanctuaries, lakes, and reservoirs throughout the country.

By educating volunteers at sites across the country, National Public Lands Day maintains the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps, an army of 3 million Americans who in the 1930's countered the devastation of the Dust Bowl and the American chestnut blight by planting more than 3 billion trees, building 800 state parks, and fighting forest fires. This year, Americans of all ages, from coast to coast, will make our community's lands, cleaner, safer and more appealing as part of National Public Lands Day. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a day outdoors while learning about nature, and benefiting the environment as well.

If you care about America's public lands - and especially Canyon Ferry Reservoir - please join us on Saturday, September 29, as we clean up the shores around Canyon Ferry Reservoir. For general information about National Public Lands Day, go to www.publiclandsday.org.