National Public Lands Day Celebration and Day of Action: September 27
WHAT: Join Standing Trees, Sierra Club MA, Save Mass Forests, RESTORE: the Northwoods, and many other groups from across New England to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Expect fun, food, music, art, and an opportunity to deepen your knowledge about New England public lands.
WHEN: Saturday September 27, 10am - 4:30 pm. This is an indoor/outdoor event — it will happen rain or shine!
WHERE: Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, MA. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376. Click here to offer or join a carpool to this event.
WHO: You! This event is free and open to all. Lunch is free, and there will be childcare and kids' activities available. RSVP to help us estimate lunch, and to stay in the loop for event updates.
SPONSORED BY: Standing Trees, Mass. Sierra Club, RESTORE: The North woods, Save Mass Forests, Wellspring Commons, Atowi Project, Winter Center for Indigenous Traditions, Climate Action Now Western Mass, Ottauquechee Water Protectors Assoc., Wendell State Forest Alliance, Forestopia, & more.
MORE INFO: In a time when public lands are facing unprecedented threats, we will gather to learn from each other about the value of our public lands, and what we can do to protect them. Here's a working schedule for the day (subject to change):
- 10-12: Source to sea connecticut river clean up on the Canalside rail trail at the Discovery Center. Sign up for the clean up at this link.
12-12:40 Lunch. Welcome, tabling, kids activities
12:40-1: Land acknowledgement and introduction
1- 1:45: Why wild, public lands? We’ll hear short talks from subject matter experts about the unparalleled benefits of wild, public lands for biodiversity, climate, water, and human health. We’ll discuss the natural history of New England, the current distribution of wild lands in our region, and give you a sense of the unique opportunity we now have to rewild more of our landscape.
1:45-2:45: Art and Connection. Join us for foliage printing, a collaborative banner-making project, kids activities, and a chance to have in-depth conversations with organizations and advocates across the region. Come prepared with any quotes, poems, or images that speak to your connection to New England's public lands — you'll get a
2:45-3:15: What can we do? We’ll give you the run-down on current, active campaigns for New England public wildland protection, and what you can do to help.
The state of our federal forests
Massachusetts Wildlands bills
VT Wildlands Act
New National Parks
3:15-3:30pm: Stretch your advocacy muscles and take action! Call your state representatives, sign up as citizen co-sponsors, and take other guided actions in real time to support public lands.
3:30 - 4:30pm Closing remarks, giveaways (homemade pies and signed copies of wildlands-related books) and live music from Tom Neilson and Lynn Waldron.
Questions? Email us at info@standingtrees.org
