This year’s local National Public Lands Day project will take place on Phil’s World bike course east of Cortez on Saturday, Sept. 28.

For many years, portions of the 2,000 acres of piñon and juniper forest have been dumping grounds for trash. There have been many cleanups of this area over the years, but significant trash remains in parts of Cache Canyon and Stinking Springs Canyon, as well as in other places.

Volunteers will be working on the northern portion of already developed trails. Motorized and non-motorized volunteers are encouraged to sign up, and ATV users are encouraged.

Trash bags, buckets and tools will be provided to workers. Volunteers must wear long pants, sturdy shoes, eye protection such as sunglasses, and gloves. Lunch and T-shirts will be provided to registered participants.

Each year, thousands of Americans take part in NPLD, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance public lands. Last year, 150,000 volunteers participated at more than 2,000 locations across the country. Their efforts to build trails, remove invasive species, paint signs, beautify landscapring, remove trash, etc., have totaled millions of collars inn improvements.

Locally, this year marks the 13th anniversary of National Public Lands Day projects on Bureau of Land Management lands. The event is organized in partnership with the San Juan Mountains Association and the Tres Rios Field Office.