On September 28, 175,000 volunteers at nearly 2,200 public land sites across the U.S. celebrated the 20th Anniversary of National Public Lands Day. National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands.
At Voyageurs National Park, 37 enthusiastic and nature-loving volunteers joined in on the fun at our annual fall Volunteer Rendezvous. The crew worked with park staff to help clear thousands of yards of cross-country ski and hiking trails at Black Bay and Echo Bay. Volunteers of all ages came from Minneapolis, Edina, Winona, Britt, Duluth and Coon Rapids to help Minnesota's national park.
During their combined total of 315 hours of work, the volunteers were able to hike an area of the park they’ve never before experienced, to learn about the history of Rainy Lake on a “Ghosts of Voyageurs” candlelit hike, to take in the brilliant orange and red colors of the fall foliage, and to learn about the vegetation and wildlife directly from the rangers.
After two days of helping make Voyageurs National Park the phenomenal recreation area it is, the volunteers and their new friends were applauded on a dinner cruise on the beautiful back channels of Rainy Lake.
Thank you to our amazing group of volunteers whose hard work and dedication - even in the rain - was an inspiration. See all the photos from the event here.
Thank you to the Nash Foundation for their support of the 2013 Volunteer Rendezvous.
