Nashville, TN -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District is enlisting volunteers at its lakes along the Cumberland River and its tributaries for the 32nd Annual National Public Lands Day on Sept. 27. The event, which has united hundreds of thousands of volunteers, aims to help restore America’s public lands.
The national theme for this year’s event is “Our Home Outdoors.” It is the largest volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind where people do clean up, repair, construction and refurbishment in public parks, forests, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and cultural and historic sites.
Visitors at USACE sites take part in tree planting, erosion control, bank stabilization, building trails, restoring recreation areas, trash pickup, removing invasive species and non-native plants, improving wildlife habitats and rehabilitating playgrounds.
Within the Nashville District the public is encouraged to participate at one of the following NPLD volunteer activities on the dates and times indicated:
- Center Hill Lake: Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 26 to restripe parking lots, stain fences, renumber campsites, build handrails, and pressure wash bathhouses and playground equipment in Long Branch and Floating Mill campgrounds. Lunch will be provided. Volunteers are asked to sign up through this link https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B48ACA72AA2FBC61-58790248-national
- Cheatham Lake: A cleanup will be held along Highway 49 to remove discarded car tires on Sept. 24. Volunteers will also work with Scouts BSA Troop 76 to install birdhouses around the park. For more information, contact the Natural Resource Manager's Office at 615-792-5697 Follow Cheatham Lake on Facebook for the latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/cheathamlake.
- Cordell Hull Lake – Volunteers can help beautify the Storybook Trail from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 at Wildwood Marina, 7316 Granville Hwy, Granville, Tenn. Tasks include moving and spreading mulch, trash pickup, and improving trail sections. Volunteers should arrive early for registration and safety briefing. Follow Cordell Hull Lake on Facebook for the latest updates at https://www.facebook.com/cordellhulllake/
- Dale Hollow Lake: Participate in the annual Dale Hollow Lake Shoreline Cleanup from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 at Lillydale Campground. Volunteers will receive trash bags and gloves to help remove debris along the lake's rugged shoreline. For more details, contact Park Ranger Desmaray Brown at 931-243-3136. Follow Dale Hollow Lake on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/dalehollowlake.
- Lake Cumberland: Volunteers are invited to Waitsboro Recreation Area from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 27 to assist with cleanup. Gloves and garbage bags will be provided. Volunteers will receive a “Fee-Free” coupon for participating in the event. For more information, call 606-679-6337 and ask for Park Ranger Dylan Norton. Follow Lake Cumberland on Facebook for the latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/lakecumberland.
- Laurel River Lake: Volunteers are encouraged to participate in a day of service any time. Please contact the Lake Cumberland office (606) 679 – 6337 to inquire for cleanup supplies including gloves and garbage bags. Volunteers receive a “Fee-Free” coupon for their use at participating public lands charging an entry fee. Follow Laurel River Lake on Facebook for the latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/laurelriverlake.
- Old Hickory Lake: Volunteers are needed for trail maintenance and cleanup at Lock 3 Recreation Area from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sept. 26. Volunteers should wear closed toed shoes and pants. For more information and for directions to the work location, click the link: https://www.neefusa.org/npld/lock-3-recreation-area/lock-3-clean or call Old Hickory Lake Resource Office at 615-822-4846. Follow Old Hickory Lake on Facebook for the latest updates at http://www.facebook.com/oldhickorylake.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has participated in National Public Lands Day since its inception in 1994 and is consistently one of the event's largest providers of sites and volunteers. As the nation's leading federal provider of outdoor and water-based recreation, USACE manages 421 lakes and river projects across 43 states, offering a wide range of affordable, outdoor recreation opportunities close to metropolitan areas.
To locate National Public Lands Day events near you, visit http://www.publiclandsday.org/. For more information on USACE recreation opportunities visit http://www.CorpsLakes.us and http://www.recreation.gov.
The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville District on the district’s website at www.lrn.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/nashvillecorps and on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/nashvillecorps.