The News Tribune (Lite) - Roll up your sleeves for National Public Lands Day

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Section: Adventure

Roll up your sleeves for National Public Lands Day

The News Tribune
South Sound residents will have the opportunity to help their favorite parks on Saturday, as agencies through the region are holding volunteer work parties.

The events are part of the National Public Lands Day celebration.

In addition, Mount Rainier and Olympic national parks will waive the entrance fees on Saturday and Sunday.

Here is a look at some regional events:

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Throughout the park and on some nearby National Forest land.

What: The projects include building trails, finishing a trail bridge, planting native plants and restoring a historic campground.

Bring: Work clothes, gloves, liquids and a lunch.

Extra: There will be an end-of-the-season gathering for volunteers at 4 p.m. at the Community Building in Longmire.

Sign up/information: rainiervolunteers.blogspot.com.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

When: Saturday and Sunday.

Where: All fee stations in the park.

What: National Public Lands Day will be celebrated on Saturday and on Sunday, entrance fees will again be waived for all visitors in honor and recognition of our country’s newly naturalized citizens.

Bring: Newly naturalized U.S. citizens are invited to identify themselves at entrance stations or visitors centers, so they may receive a welcome packet to the national parks.

Extra: Other park fees, including wilderness camping and campground fees, will remain in effect. Ranger-led education programs will be offered each of these days at Hurricane Ridge, Hoh, Kalaloch and Mora. Programs will be offered on Saturday only at Lake Crescent, Quinault and Sol Duc.

Sign up/information: www.nps.gov/olym.

MOUNT ST. HELENS

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Registration: Begins at 10 a.m. at Marble Mountain Sno-Park on Forest Road 83.

What: Trail work.

Bring: Food and water, work gloves and wear long pants and sturdy boots. Come dressed for “rain or shine” Pacific Northwest weather.

Extra: The work party will be followed by a volunteer appreciation barbecue and potluck at the Marble Mountain warming shelter. The first 25 volunteers to arrive will receive a free volunteer T-shirt from REI.

Sign up/information: Contact Hailey Heath at hheath@mshinstitute.org or 360-449-7883.

HARBOR FAMILY PARK

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Where: 6620 32nd St. N.W., Gig Harbor.

What: Volunteers will prune and groom trails.

Bring: Gloves, mattocks, clippers, loppers and shears. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at noon.

Sign up/information: Eric Guenther of PenMet Parks at 253-858-3410.

NARROWS PARK

When: 10 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Where: 1502 Lucille Parkway N.W., Gig Harbor.

What: Help with beach cleanup, plantings and invasive weed removal.

Bring: Gloves and weed removal tools, plus a picnic lunch to enjoy at noon.

Sign up/information: Eric Guenther of PenMet Parks at 253-858-3410.

MUCK CREEK BAT PROJECT

When: Saturday.

Where: Fort Lewis Public Works.

What: Volunteers will construct three separate types of bat boxes for three species of bats known to use riparian and prairie habitats on Fort Lewis. Boxes for owls and purple martins will also be built. Once built, the boxes will be placed in suitable habitat adjacent to riparian corridors. These riparian areas also will be planted with shrubs and shade-tree species for salmon habitat enhancement.

Sign up/information: David Clouse at 253-967-3474.

BARE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

When: Saturday.

Where: Snoqualmie North Bend Ranger District, off Interstate 90 at Exit 31.

What: Trail maintenance and clearing brush.

Sign up/information: Alyssa Kreider of Washington Trails Association at 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.

MOUNT PILCHUCK

When: 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday.

Where: Mount Pilchuck Lookout Trail on the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

What: Trail restoration.

Extra: Lunch and snacks will be provided, and each volunteer will receive a National Public Lands Day 2008 commemorative poster.

Sign up: www.nwpubliclands.org/volunteer_opportunities/earth_day2.html.

Information: Jim Adams of the Northwest Interpretive Association at 206-220-4140.

MOUNTAINS TO SOUND GREENWAY

When: Saturday.

Where: At various sites along the Interstate 90 corridor.

What: Trail construction, repairs and rehabilitation.

Sign up/information: Oliver Stiefel with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust at 206-812-0122 or www.mtsgreenway.org.

SOUTH FORK SKOKOMISH TRAIL

When: Saturday.

Where: Hood Canal Ranger District, Shelton.

What: Rebuild and strengthen trail.

Sign up/information: Alyssa Kreider of Washington Trails Association at 206-625-1367 or www.wta.org.