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National Public Lands Day

September 27, 2025 @ 10:00 am - 4:30 pm

Join Standing Trees, Sierra Club MA, Save Mass Forests, RESTORE: the Northwoods, and 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.

This is an indoor/outdoor event — it will happen rain or shine!

Click here to offer or join a carpool to this event.

This event is free and open to all. Lunch is free, and there will be childcare and kids’ activities available. RSVP to help 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. & more.

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? Short talks from subject matter experts about the unparalleled benefits of wild, public lands for biodiversity, climate, water, and human health. Discuss the natural history of New England, the current distribution of wild lands in our region, and get a sense of the unique opportunity we now have to rewild more of our landscape.
  • 1:45-2:45: Art, music, and mingling. Join for music, block printing and a collaborative art project capturing our collective connections to public lands. Plus more food and chances to connect to organizations and advocates across the region.
  • 2:45-3:15: What can we do? Everything you need to know about 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 (and beyond!) Take action! Call your representatives, sign up as citizen co-sponsors, and take action in real time for wild public lands.
  • 3:30 – 4:30pm More music, art and connections.

Questions? Email info@standingtrees.org

RSVP to help estimate lunch, and to stay in the loop for event updates.

DATE: Saturday, September 27

TIME: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

LOCATION: Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls, MA. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls

Venue