Riverwalk: A Family Park hosts volunteer event for National Public Lands Day

The following article is provided by the Brevard County Parks and Recreation department:

ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – On Saturday, Sept. 29, more than 180,000 volunteers, including those at Riverwalk – A Family Park located at 5355 U.S. Highway 1 in Rockledge, will visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves, or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places. They’ll be taking part in National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in our country.

This year marks the 19th annual National Public Lands Day, an event that brings together thousands of volunteers from coast to coast to improve and restore the lands and facilities that Americans use for recreation, education, exercise and enjoyment. Last year, more than 170,000 Americans participated at more than 2,000 sites in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.

This year’s events are focused on a renewed national commitment to supporting public lands, spending time outdoors, being more active, and fighting childhood obesity. As part of this effort, NPLD is supporting both the Let’s Move Outside! and Youth in the Great Outdoors initiatives. This event is a way to highlight these federal initiatives in your community.

Brevard County Parks & Recreation employees and public volunteers will be assisting the staff at Riverwalk: A Family Park to help clear out invasive grapevine that is choking out the other plants within the 6.37 acre nature preserve. Volunteers can check in at Riverwalk: A Family Park between 9 a.m to 2 p.m. to participate. They will need to wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Work gloves, long sleeves and sunscreen are also recommended. A limited number of shears will be available to use, though volunteers are encourage to bring additional ones if they have them. Bottled water will be provided.

Eight federal agencies will participate in NLPD, along with more than 250 state, county, and city partners and a host of nonprofit groups, including the Boy Scouts of America, The Girl Scouts of the USA, Student Conservation Association and The Corps Network. Toyota Motor Sales, USA Inc. is the event’s national corporate sponsor for the 13th consecutive year. Northrop Grumman has joined as a contributing sponsor again for the third year. The National Environmental Education Foundation coordinates National Public Lands Day.

Video and audio public service announcements about National Public Lands Day can be downloaded from the NPLD Media Center at www.publiclandsday.org/newsroom/psas.The PSAs, featuring Philippe Cousteau and Victoria Justice, encourage the public to get involved by lending a hand to America’s lands, and volunteering on Sept. 29. The PSAs will help educate and inform your audience about the important role they can play in protecting and preserving natural areas like Riverwalk: A Family Park.

More information can be found at www.publiclandsday.org or by contacting Riverwalk Nature Center at riverwalk@brevardparks.com or 321-433-4490.