Save My State Parks Day 2011 is fast approaching! September 24 marks National Public Lands Day, uniting our chapters to raise awareness for our state parks while encouraging volunteerism.
This year, as you collaborate with your site managers, our focus is primarily on awareness. Several chapters have chosen not to do service projects this year but instead to promote their site programs and activities. This is a great way to help guests understand the importance of parks and historic sites.
Whatever your chapter is doing for the day, it is still a great opportunity to promote the chapter's activities and accomplishments. Be sure to consider a brief press release to your local media about your celebration. Click here for two generic options for a press release that you can modify to suit your needs. Or, you can draft your own from scratch. If you need help on writing a press release, the Internet has some great resources. Click here for a great example.
You may also want to register your event with National Public Lands at: http://www.publiclandsday.org/register-site
Even though SAVE My State Parks Day will not be a free day in the park this year, it still provides a great opportunity to rally volunteers and park guests. It is also a day to enjoy the outdoors and to enjoy those around you. This is a great day to allow yourself to be captivated by the beauty our public lands have to offer as well as an opportunity in meeting new people and sharing with others your appreciation for state parks and all that they have to offer.
Volunteers are truly helping to sustain Georgia state parks. Your parks need you and need the efforts of other volunteers who give their time and efforts. Thank you for your commitment to both your community and Georgia public lands for your service in making a difference .