POINT REYES, Calif.—All across the United States, people are going outdoors for National Public Lands Day.
"Public lands are important to the country in many ways—from recreation, to health, to finding solitude, and educational places," said Doug Hee, Point Reyes National Seashore park volunteer manager.
About 10 volunteers participated in cleaning the Palomarin hiking trail—wearing gloves, carrying plastic bags, and using pickers in places that are hard to reach.
They found plastic water bottles, a foam football, a soccer ball, and clothing.
"Everyone was very enthusiastic to go out and pick up that trash. They were finding things in brush that even I didn’t see," said Hee.
Hee says community involvement is vital to protecting our lands and encourages people to look for volunteer opportunities to give back to the community.
National Public Lands Day celebrates people connecting with nature on public lands, which include national parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and monuments. On this day, people can also visit national parks for free.
The National Park Service also hosts an annual National Park Week and National Junior Ranger Day in April.