JACKSON, Wyo. — Governor Mark Gordon and the Town of Jackson have both signed proclamations declaring Saturday, Sept. 27, as Wyoming Public Lands Day.
Wyoming Public Lands Day, which was established in 2019, celebrates keeping lands open and accessible for fishing, recreation, wildlife habitat and economic opportunity.
According to the Governor’s Office, Wyoming’s public lands make up 48% of the state’s 97,813 square miles, with 187 square miles of state parks, 3,664 square miles of national parks, 14,398 square miles of U.S. Forest Service lands and 28,711 square miles managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Governor’s Proclamation states that the multiple use of public lands provides value to the state’s economy through tourism, a diversity of mineral resources, grazing for livestock, forestry products, food harvesting and gathering and recreational opportunities.
“I encourage people across the state to engage in service and habitat restoration projects, to fish, hunt, hike, camp, enjoy wildlife, play, re-connect, find solace and work on these
lands,” Governor Gordon said in the proclamation.
On Monday, Sept. 15, Mayor Arne Jorgensen read a proclamation highlighting the importance of conserving public lands for future generations.
“When we conserve our public lands, we are protecting their beauty, safeguarding the air we breathe and the water we drink, defending the livelihoods of people who depend on these lands and waters for their way of life, like Indigenous and rural communities, ranchers, farmers, outfitters and guides,” Jorgensen proclaimed.
On Sept. 27, the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) will waive day-use and entrance frees at all Wyoming state parks and historic sites to honor the annual tradition. Additionally, SPCR will host 15 volunteer opportunities across state parks, historic sites and recreation areas statewide, “allowing communities to care for and celebrate the places that make Wyoming unique.” In observance of the day, Grand Teton National Park is asking volunteers to help weatherproof the wooden rails on the west Jenny Lake boat dock and Chasm Bridge.
Wyoming’s annual celebration coincides with National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event, according to the SPCR. Established in 1994, and held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, NPLD is a nationwide initiative led by the National Environmental Education Foundation. The celebration draws hundreds of thousands of volunteers to help restore and improve public lands nationwide.
NPLD is also a “fee-free day” at national parks and other public lands.
