Every year Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) celebrates National Public Lands Day as a month-long celebration. So, what exactly is all this about and what is National Public Land Day. In 1994 the first Public Lands Appreciation Day was organized by the Times Mirror Magazine. That year the only public land agency to participate was the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In the years to follow the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) would take over responsibility of organizing it and it would become known as National Public Lands Day.
Although it was held on 30 July that first year is has since become standardized as the fourth Saturday of September annually. This year National Public Lands Day is 28 September and across the nation BHA chapters are hosting what we have coined “Public Land Pack Outs” and volunteers putting in the work. Just a quick look at BHA’s event page and you will see the incredible number of these events our Chapter’s host. The Mid-Atlantic Chapter is one of those chapters that participants every year.
This year, as in years past, the Mid-Atlantic Chapter hosted a Public Lands Pack Out in partnership with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) at the C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area (WMA). We were extremely lucky to have beautiful fall weather here in Northern Virginia for this event. There were about a dozen chapter volunteers present and many with their children. Always great to see children participating in stewardship work such as this. Just as we strive to pass down our hunting and fishing heritage to our children, it is just as important to pass down a strong conservation ethic as well.
All told it was a successful day out in the field with fell volunteers. Being surrounded by others who share the same drive to make a difference in conservation by coming together for the benefit of our public lands, public waters, and wildlife is what makes this organization so great. As unfortunate as it is that we must pick up trash on our public lands at least we have people willing to do the work. This year we ended up with about two dozen 30-gallon trash bags, 7 tires, fencing wire, and the spring from a sofa or mattress. If you are in the region, be sure mark your calendar for next year. We will be back out in the field in September 2025 celebrating our National Public Lands Day. See you there!
About Mid-Atlantic BHA
Representing Delaware, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Virginia, Mid-Atlantic BHA provides a voice in the region for hunters, anglers, and all outdoorsmen and women to protect our public lands, waters, and wildlife.