National Public Lands Day, 2014

Proclamation 9175 of September 26, 2014

National Public Lands Day, 2014

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

From sandy beaches to snow-capped mountain tops,
America's vast and varied landscapes stretch the
breadth of our continent. These treasured spaces
support outdoor recreation, serve as living classrooms
and laboratories, and boost our local economies. Today,
one-third of all our Nation's land is publicly owned--
set aside for the use and enjoyment of every American.
As we celebrate the expansive and magnificent beauty
bequeathed to us by generations past, we recognize our
profound obligation as caretakers of this natural
bounty, and we rededicate ourselves to the important
work of preserving and protecting our land and
environment in our own time.

National Public Lands Day is the largest single-day
volunteer effort for our country's public lands. On
this day, Americans of all ages will help maintain and
restore our Nation's outdoor resources and ecosystems
at more than 2,200 sites across our country. Volunteers
will remove trash from our beaches and clear debris
from our hiking trails; from coast to coast, they will
plant new trees, remove invasive species, and complete
large and small projects to beautify and preserve our
open spaces. This nationwide effort will help ensure
these natural places are managed for future generations
to enjoy, and it offers an opportunity for all
Americans to give back to their favorite local park,
beach, or outdoor retreat. In honor of this day of
service, our National Parks and many of our federally
managed lands will offer free admission.

My Administration is committed to making land
stewardship and outdoor conservation a year-round
effort. Through our America's Great Outdoors
Initiative, we are empowering local communities to
protect their own public spaces. We have also
strengthened programs that connect all Americans with
the outdoors and launched the 21st Century Conservation
Service Corps, which will create more jobs preserving
and restoring our Nation's lands and waters for young
Americans and returning veterans.

This weekend, as we carry forward a legacy of
conservation and stewardship, let us renew our
commitment to protecting our environment and building a
cleaner world. Together, we can ensure our children and
grandchildren can enjoy the full splendor of our
Nation's public and wild places.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim September 27, 2014,
as National Public Lands Day. I encourage all Americans
to participate in a day of public service for our
lands.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord
two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
ninth.