National Public Lands Day — one of the nation’s largest single-day volunteer efforts to promote environmental stewardship — is coming up this Saturday, Sept. 27.
Want to spend the day helping to beautify Texas’s state parks? You have so many options. There are numerous events planned for this weekend, both across Texas’s 2.97 million acres of federal public lands and others hoping to support the cause.
Connect with community members who share an appreciation of our local green spaces at these events.
San Antonio events
Wild + Scenic Film Festival | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Confluence Park | Free with RSVP | This gathering of like-minded nature lovers will showcase short films about the importance of protecting public lands and waters — and has live music + a twilight market.
City Council Greenway Cleanup | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lady Bird Johnson Park | Free | The San Antonio River Foundation visits sites monthly across all 10 districts, and this month on National Public Lands Day they’re cleaning up a portion of Salado Creek.
Johnson Grass Removal Volunteer Day | Sunday, Sept. 28 | 8:45-11 a.m. | McAllister Park | Free | Bring your own gloves and hand pruners if you own them, and get ready to cut seed heads, rake thatch, or replant natives — Friends of McAllister Park + San Antonio Parks and Recreation are working to stop invasive Johnson grass from spreading.
Nearby events
National Volunteer Day | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9-11 a.m. Shoal Creek Conservancy | Free | Shoal Creek Conservancy and Texas Conservation Corps members clear sediment, remove litter and overgrowth and beautify the space — all tools will be provided.
Land Restoration Workday | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m. | The Stenis Tract | Free | Treat invasive trees, remove invasive grasses, and replant native seeds at this volunteer event with A Rocha USA and the Bull Creek Foundation to preserve the Bull Creek watershed.
State park events
National Public Lands Day Paddle Clean-up | Galveston Island State Park | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 8:45-11:30 a.m. | Free | Take a weekend trip and paddle through scenic waters of Galveston Bay all while cleaning up litter and debris — paddling pros and newbies alike welcome.
National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event | Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Big Bend Ranch State Park | Free | Help keep the trails at Big Bend beautiful by cleaning up litter in some of the most iconic sections of the park.
Pro tip: All national parks give free admission on National Public Lands Day, and those who volunteer for the holiday will also be given a free one-day pass to any national park site.
