Volunteers Needed for National Public Lands Day at Charlemagne Park

Local group joins more than 200,000 volunteers for nation's largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands

Volunteers are needed to join hundreds of thousands of fellow Americans at public land sites across the country to give back to the lands where we play, learn, exercise, and relax in celebration of the 23rd annual National Public Lands Day (NPLD) - the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands.

Nature lovers are encouraged to attend the Hoffman Estates Park District's (HE Parks) popular Wildflower Collecting Event. On Sat., Sept. 30. NPLD, coordinated each year by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) brings together volunteers from across the country to improve and restore the lands and facilities that Americans use and enjoy every day. Each year, NPLD volunteers provide tens of millions of dollars' worth of services in one day that would otherwise take limited park staff months to accomplish. Last year, more than 200,000 Americans participated in NPLD events at more than 2,500 sites in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C.

Locally, HE Parks is seeking volunteers of all ages to collect wildflower and native plant seeds to assist in this national effort. The event takes place at Charlemagne Park, 3799 Bordeaux Street in Hoffman Estates from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers should RSVP to Communications and Marketing Superintendent Sandy Manisco at marketing@heparks.org or 847-781-3672. Groups and individuals of all ages are welcome.

"This is a really fun event," said Manisco. "It's easy to participate, and everyone learns so much about native and non-native plants, the importance that native plants like Milkweed play in our environment, and it gives people a chance to discover a new beautiful park. Many people aren't aware of Charelmagne Park and how lovely it is."

Volunteers should dress comfortably, bring water to drink and a pair of garden gloves, if they have them, added Manisco. Local residents, plus Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops have helped out in the past at Charlemagne Park, where more than 30 pounds of seeds have been collected in years past at the events, which have taken place since 2013.

"This year marks the 23rd anniversary of NPLD. We're celebrating the occasion by looking back at all the amazing work done by our volunteers over the years in support of their local, state and national parks and by looking ahead at how communities will continue to use their public lands to improve their quality of life," said Robb Hampton, program director at the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), which coordinates National Public Lands Day.

Through NPLD, NEEF works to connect people to public lands in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of public lands for education, recreation and general health. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is the event's national sponsor, providing support and thousands of employee volunteers for the 18th consecutive year.

More information on NPLD can be found on the NEEF website at NEEFusa.org/NPLD. The public is encouraged to follow and participate in the environmental stewardship conversation on social media using the hashtag '#NPLD'.

For more information about the event at Charlemagne Park, please visit heparks.org or call 847-885-7500.