Talladega National Forest-Oakmulgee District's 4th Annual National Public Lands Day Event

(Brent, Al) September 10, 2010 ---- The Talladega National Forest - Oakmulgee District and Americorps VISTA are joining forces to host a National Public Lands Day event. Scheduled for September 25, 2010, the event welcomes all who want to celebrate their natural heritage. Join us for an opportunity to fellowship and learn about the rich natural history of the Oakmulgee District. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Lunch, gloves and a t-shirt will be provided to those who participate.

"We have a unique project planned for this year," said Cynthia Ragland, district ranger for the Oakmulgee District located in Brent, Ala. "In partnership with the Lower Cahaba Recreation and Historic Corridor initiative, we are enhancing the landscape at the Oakmulgee District office. Our goal is to create a microcosm of the longleaf ecosystem that exists in the forest with an interpretive path allowing visitors to learn about their national forests." The interpretive area will help the Oakmulgee District office be a gateway to the forest and the surrounding community by providing visitor information on the opportunities for bird watching, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, horseback riding and hunting.

The Americorps VISTA program provides coordination for the Lower Cahaba Recreation and Historic Corridor initiative by sponsoring volunteers in the local area. Will James, a recent graduate in history and political science from the University of Alabama, is an Americorps VISTA volunteer and is coordinating the National Public Lands Day project.

The Bibb County Landfill will also be accepting trash this day, free of charge, made possible by the U.S. Forest Service in partnership with the Bibb County Commission.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Will James at info_talladega_oakmulgee@fs.fed.us or
(205) 926-9765 ext. 214 no later than September 20, 2010.