National Public Lands Day

Join us for a national day of service and volunteerism at Pipestone National Monument on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers are needed to assist with the collection of seeds that will be used to continue native, tall grass prairie restoration throughout the Monument in locations treated for invasive species.

Volunteers should meet at the Visitor Center at 9 a.m. No advanced registration is necessary, and supplies will be provided. Volunteers are advised to dress for the outdoors and to wear sturdy shoes for walking in the prairie. In the event of rain on Sept. 28, the collection of seeds will be postponed until Oct. 5.

Volunteers who participate will receive a National Public Lands Day pass, good for one free entry during the next year at public land sites managed by the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and USDA Forest Service. The Friends of Pipestone National Monument will provide a light lunch and other refreshments for the volunteers after the seed collection.

All National Park Service sites, including Pipestone National Monument, will offer free entrance on Saturday, Sept. 28 for National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer effort for public lands. Seven federal agencies as well as nonprofit organizations and state, regional, and local governments participate in the annual day of improving the health of public lands and encouraging shared stewardship through volunteer service.

In addition, the winners of the 12th annual Friends of Pipestone National Monument photography contest will be announced and on display in the visitor center. Please contact a Park Ranger at 507-825-5464 ext. 214 for additional information. To learn more about Pipestone National Monument, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/pipe.