ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day use fees normally charged at boat launch ramps and swimming beaches at its recreation areas nationwide in recognition of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 24.
The waiver does not apply to camping and camping-related services, or fees for specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Other agencies and partners that manage recreation areas located on USACE lands are encouraged, but not required, to comply with this waiver of day use fees in the areas they manage.
In addition, volunteers who participate in one of USACE’s National Public Lands Day activities will be issued a fee-free coupon if the volunteer site is participating in the coupon program. Volunteers should check with their local USACE project for more information. The fee-free coupon is valid for one year from date of issue and may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at any participating federal agency’s park, forest or recreation area that charges either of these types of fees.
Thousands of volunteers are expected to support the more than 80 USACE projects participating in this year’s National Public Lands Day, the largest annual volunteer hands-on restoration activity of its kind. Volunteers at USACE sites will 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, harvesting prairie plant seeds and rehabilitating playgrounds.
Last year, more than 11,000 volunteers participated in National Public Lands Day activities at 114 USACE lakes. The volunteers cleaned 1,001 miles of shoreline, maintained 288 miles of trails, removed 128,000 pounds of trash, and planted approximately 1,300 trees and shrubs on USACE-managed lands.
National Public Lands Day activities at St. Louis District sites:
Mark Twain Lake National Public Lands Day
Volunteers will work at the site of the under-construction Archery Park in the Frank Russell Recreation Area. Visitors can also visit the M.W. Boudreaux Memorial Visitor Center for a scavenger hunt.
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 9am – 1pm
Contact: Mary Heitmeyer, mary.a.heitmeyer@usace.army.mil, 573-565-2112
Rend Lake Cleanup/National Public Lands Day Celebration
This 5-day event is focused on field efforts associated with Burrowing Owls and other grassland wildlife. We will install artificial burrows for the owls and learn about owl ecology, banding, migration, and conservation efforts. Participants will need to be on the Depot Visitor List to gain entry to the site. Suggest wearing field clothing including 8" tall boots (to avoid cheatgrass).
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 8am – 1pm
Contact: Dawn Kovarik, dawn.m.kovarik@usace.army.mil, 618-724-2493
Wappapello Lake National Public Lands Day Clean-Up
Community clean-up event around the Wappapello Lake area. Volunteers will be provided equipment and a free pancake breakfast. Free Day-use vouchers will also be provided to participants. Light maintenance and litter clean-up will take place.
Saturday, September 24, 2016, 7am – 9am
Contact: Jennifer Morse, jennifer.r.morse@usace.army.mil, 573-222-8562
National Public Lands Day at Riverlands
The Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in cooperation with the Audubon Center of Riverlands, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Rivers Project Office, and Missouri State Parks Confluence State Park will hold a variety of public lands day events. Events will occur at each of the surrounding public lands centered from the Audubon Center.
Saturday, September 24, 2016 – 9am – 2pm
Contact: Tim Haller, tim_haller@fws.gov, 573-441-2799