SITKA NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK — On Saturday, Sept. 28, tens of thousands of volunteers, including those in Sitka, will visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves, or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places. They will be taking part in the 20th annual National Public Lands Day, the largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands in our country. This event 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 just plain enjoyment.
In Sitka, join local Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, volunteers and staff at Sitka National Historical Park as we celebrate National Public Lands Day from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the park. Once again, this annual event will be held in conjunction with the Ocean Conservancy and Turning the Tides as a way to contribute to the International Coastal Cleanup Day. Together we will use our hands to clean up our park and nearby beaches while keeping an eye out for interesting or unusual coastal debris. Bring some water, a friend, and a willingness to give back to your community.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
• Park Cleanup, 1:30-3 p.m. — Meet at the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center at 1:30 p.m. for some light refreshments. We will meet with Margo O’Connell from the Sitka Sound Science Center who will give a short introduction about the importance of cleaning up beaches followed by a joint effort to clean up trash in the park. There will be prizes for all volunteers and a Golden Ticket Mystery Word Treasure Hunt for youth participants. Trash bags, safety vests, and protective gloves will be provided.
• Photo Contest Awards Ceremony, 3-3:30 p.m. — Join Ranger Jasa Woods at 3:00 p.m. in the Sitka National Historical Park Visitor Center for the announcement of the winners of the park’s annual photo contest. The photos will be on display in the Visitor Center lobby through the end of October.
• Park Prescriptions Prize Drawing, 3:30 p.m. — The Sitka Community Hospital Foundation will sponsor its second quarterly drawing for a $100 cash prize for qualified Park Prescriptions program participants. The last prize winner used the money to purchase new walking shoes. Information about how to sign up for this healthy initiative will also be available.
Walk Sitka 