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Forest Service recognizes National Public Lands Day
Daniel Boone National Forest waives recreation fees

WINCHESTER, Ky., September 14, 2009 – In recognition of the 16th annual National Public Lands Day, September 26, the Daniel Boone National Forest is waiving fees at several recreation sites for two full days.

Beginning Saturday, September 26 through Sunday, September 27, no recreation fee permits will be required for boat launching at Cave Run Lake on the Cumberland Ranger District or at Laurel River Lake on the London Ranger District.

On the Stearns Ranger District, the recreation fees at the Keno and Appletree shooting ranges will be waived for public use. In addition, no day-use fee will be required at the Natural Arch Scenic Area.

For off-highway vehicle enthusiasts, no fee permit will be required at the White Sulphur ATV Trail in Bath County or at the Redbird Crest Trail in Clay and Leslie counties.

In the Red River Gorge, no fee permit will be required for backcountry camping throughout the weekend of National Public Lands Day.

“This is an excellent opportunity for the public to come out and enjoy America’s great outdoors,” said Forest Supervisor Frank Beum. “Occurring in one of the most scenic areas of the country, our national forest lands offer many outdoor recreation opportunities.

“We hope to see a lot of visitors come to the forest during the weekend to celebrate National Public Lands Day,” said Beum.

The NPLD is a program of the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. This day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the America’s public lands. In 2008, 120,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, removed trash and invasive plants, and planted over 1.6 million trees across the country. See the NPLD website at http://www.publiclandsday.org.

Invasive Weed Pull

On Saturday, September 26, the Daniel Boone National Forest will host an “invasive weed pull” in recognition of National Public Lands Day. Volunteers will assist U.S. Forest Service personnel in the removal of several non-native plant species that are invading the Red River Gorge. The public is encouraged to help with this important project.

“This project is important because non-native invasive plants can displace native plants and alter the habitat of animal species,” said Forest Botanist David Taylor. “We will be pulling, digging and cutting as many invasive plants as possible. We’ll even work in the rain, as long as there are no thunderstorms.”

An introductory training session will be conducted for volunteers in the identification of invasive plant species. The remainder of the day will be spent on the ground conducting hands-on weed control.

All volunteers and agency personnel will meet at the rest area of Exit 33 on the Mountain Parkway in Slade, Ky. at 9:45 a.m. Volunteers should bring gloves, food and water for the day. Other tools and protective gear will be provided for use on a first-come, first-served basis. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are recommended.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer should contact the Supervisor’s Office of the Daniel Boone National Forest at (859) 745-3100 or email dtaylor@fs.fed.us.

Sierra Club members lend a hand along the trail

In recognition of National Public Lands Day, Sierra Club members from across the country will assist the U.S. Forest Service throughout the week of September 20 in rebuilding a bridge along the Sheltowee Trace National Recreation Trail. Initially developed during the era of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the bridge that crosses over Whittleton Branch in the Red River Gorge has significantly deteriorated over the years. The bridge will be reconstructed to CCC standards using native materials.

The Red River Gorge Trail Crew organization will conduct preliminary trail repairs and carry in necessary supplies. Each participant is trained in the use of primitive tools and building techniques. Persons interested in unique volunteer events in the Red River Gorge can visit http://www.rrgtc.com.

“This section of trail is impassable much of the year when the water is high in the creek,” said Charlie Rowe, Forest Service employee. “We want to reconstruct the bridge so the connector route between the Natural Bridge State Park and the Red River Gorge Geological Area is maintained.

“This popular hiking trail also serves as an interpretive trail for Kentucky wildflowers and for the historic railway that once occurred there. This type of project is very rewarding for the volunteers who come together from all around the region and the nation,” said Rowe.

For other National Public Lands Day events throughout Kentucky, go to http://www.publiclandsday.org/involved/sites for more information.