The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at J. Strom Thurmond Lake has again been selected as one of the National Host Sites for National Public Lands Day on September 24. Corps officials seek volunteers to spruce up this valuable recreation resource. The event, which is registered with Rivers Alive, is from 8 a.m. until noon at Clarks Hill Park. Volunteers will enjoy a free “Volunteer Appreciation Lunch” sponsored by First Insurance of Augusta and Coca-Cola at Clarks Hill Park at noon following the work effort.

Volunteers will work on projects to include building bird boxes and fish attractors, refreshing bulletin boards in the parks, trail maintenance, and general clean-up activities. To volunteer, contact the J. Strom Thurmond Project Office at 1-800-533-3478. Volunteers from scouting groups, civic organizations, colleges, church groups, businesses, as well as families and individuals interested in preserving the lake, can help with work activities at Thurmond Lake.

National Public Lands Day, cosponsored by various federal agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, has become an annually anticipated event on publicly held lands all across the United States. National Public Lands Day keeps the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the “tree army” that worked from 1933 42 to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage. Volunteers for this hand-on effort will literally be lending a hand to the very lands they use to hike, bike, fish, swim, explore, picnic or just plain relax. National Public Lands Day is being sponsored for the sixth consecutive year by Toyota Motor Sales USA.

All National Public Lands Day volunteers who work at a site managed by one of the five participating federal agencies will receive a coupon good for a “fee-free” day at any site managed by these agencies. Participating agencies are the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Forest Service.

For further information and to volunteer, contact the J. Strom Thurmond Project Office at 1-800-5333478.