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| Allie, 13, plants native silver needle grass to restore habitat. |
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| Alex, 13, and Elena, 13, invite children to their booth to turn "Trash into Treasure." |
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| Beverly, 10, and Amanda, 11, take a break from planting trees. |
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National Public Lands Day
Lend a Hand to Care for America's Natural Resources
By Claudia Kessel
National Public Lands Day Program Coordinator
Get outdoors on September 29 and have fun taking care of our public lands!
National Public Lands Day (NPLD) is the largest volunteer event that benefits America's public lands. Held on a Saturday in late September when thousands of Americans volunteer to improve and enhance our nation's parks and other public lands, the event has grown every year. In 2006, 100,000 volunteers worked to improve 1,100 sites in all 50 states.
Girl Scouts' Linking Girls to the Land partnership, and other volunteers across the nation install bird houses and bat boxes, plant trees and native plants, restore wildlife habitat, clean up trash, collect native seeds, repair stream banks, maintain or build trails, remove invasive plants, paint picnic tables, weed plant nurseries and much more!
Lending a Hand
Last year, 3,700 Girl Scouts completed valuable projects to take care of their local parks, forests, wetlands, beaches, rivers, schoolyards and other natural spaces. Girl Scouts from Troop 1889 of Girl Scouts - Spanish Trails Council from Montclair, Calif., cleaned up Carbon Canyon Regional Park. "We planted trees and pulled invasive weeds," said Sunny, a 13-year-old member of Troop 1889. "We also worked for about five hours to collect trash throughout the park, making sure to recycle most of the trash we gathered."
Another troop from Montclair—Cadette Troop 759, volunteered at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area. The girls restored the trail around the lake, pulled up wild mustard (an invasive plant), helped protect trees surrounding the lake and removed litter along the river bed. "In the morning, we drove out to the dam and collected about 200 watermelon-sized boulders," said Aubrey, 12, of Troop 759. "We went back to a grassy area, raked and hoed around a dozen trees, then surrounded the trees with the boulders to protect them and beautify the area. We had a lot of fun that day and competed to see who could pick up the heaviest boulder. I really enjoyed the physical challenge of it."
On that same day in Pennsylvania, girls from Girl Scouts of the Heart of Pennsylvania Council helped beautify an historic trail at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center at Carlisle Barracks. "We planted and fertilized trees, flower bulbs and other plants, and mulched the trails," said Desiree, 12. "It was great to see what we had accomplished."
Back in California, Cadette Troop 1516 from San Fernando Valley Girl Scout Council's Rancho Calabasas Service Unit restored habitat at Malibu Creek State Park. "National Public Lands Day 2006 was the first time that I went to Malibu Creek State Park," said Lauren, 12. "It's a large open land area with a creek running through it with tall grasses, benches and lots of insects. Unfortunately, the creek is polluted from the surrounding area."
Connecting to the Natural World
National Public Lands Day allows endless opportunities to learn about native plants, wild animals and the problems threatening them.
"The park ranger at Carbon Canyon Regional Park led us on a walk where he helped us identify many different trees and talked about how plants can work against global warming," said Diane, 12 and Sunny, 13, of Troop 1889.
"We also learned about the threats of non-native, invasive species on the ecosystem. I liked how we actually learned something about the environment along with our activities. It was more fun and interesting that way. The park ranger taught us a lot about the native species, what they looked like, and the right way to pull them up," said Silver, 14.
Above and Beyond
Some Girl Scouts took their concerns for the Earth a step further by committing to improve their local environments all year long. Through working on their community-service projects to get the Girl Scout Silver Award, Cadette Troop 1516 has shown amazing dedication in protecting local public lands. The troop is continuing the environmental restoration project they started last September at Malibu Creek State Park by organizing and participating in many environmental work projects, such as restoring wetlands and educating others about recycling.
In addition, Troop 1516 took the Girl Scout "Care for the Earth Pledge" and has committed to restore habitat in the Santa Monica Mountains in partnership with the Mountain Restoration Trust. The girls pledged to donate 40 hours to helping address various environmental concerns in their community. Their first event, this past April, consisted of clearing and planting native plants at another area in Malibu Creek State Park to restore the beautiful Oak Woodlands.
Their Linking Girls to the Land partnership with the federal natural resource agencies will culminate with a "Creek Restoration Cleanup" behind Calabasas High School, on September 15.
"As a troop," said Lauren, 12 "we decided to focus on environmental projects to earn our Girl Scout Silver Award. I learned so much, for instance, about what is beneficial about native plants and what is harmful about non-native plants. I learned a lot about local animals and their habitats and how they are dying from pollution. By destroying the streambed and polluting the streams, we are harming the animals."
Becoming a Leader
Developing leadership skills is a big part of growing as a Girl Scout. During National Public Lands Day, teen girls had a chance to use their skills to educate others.
"My experiences doing environmental work projects, including NPLD, have helped me become a better leader," said Alex, 13, of Troop 1516, "As Cadettes, we have to take charge of activities—organizing things, calling and e-mailing people, getting information, and planning the event. We can't just rely on our troop leaders to do everything. We have to go out there and do it ourselves."
Amanda, 12, of Troop 1889, found that National Public Lands Day allowed her to take advantage of her unique skills. "Since my dad is a landscaper," she said, "I was able to use my knowledge of plants to teach my fellow Girl Scouts the best way to plant trees and remove invasive weeds during our work at Carbon Canyon."
Lauren, 12, of Troop 1516, enjoyed teaching younger children. "I think National Public Lands Day and other environmental projects let me help other kids learn about the environment and encourage them to save the Earth. That was definitely my favorite part."
Making a Difference
Taking care of the natural environment can produce a feeling of accomplishment. Here's what some teens had to say about making a difference.
"Our troop made a difference on National Public Lands Day. Carbon Canyon Park was much cleaner when we left it. I think other Girl Scouts should get involved because it's fun and feels rewarding to help out your community."
—Sunny, 13, Troop 1889
"It's important to care for our public lands and environment because we need these places for future generations and for my generation, too! We don't want to pollute the Earth."
— Hilary, 13, Troop 1516
"My experience outdoors helped me in a lot of ways—I have recently taken up gardening at my home. Other girls should get involved because it's fun to spend time with your friends outside in nature."
— Silver, Troop 1889
"Events like National Public Lands Day are really important and I think every Girl Scout should participate; it helps make you a better person; it's good for society and our environment."
— Melissa, eighth grade, Troop 1889
Pitch In on September 29, for National Public Lands Day 2007
On National Public Lands Day, every Girl Scout can become a steward of the environment, experience the pleasure of serving the community, have fun outdoors and get to earn the Get with the Land Patch for projects done in collaboration with a federal or state natural resource agency.
To learn more about National Public Lands Day 2007, download the Girl Scout Get Involved Guide and register to participate. |
