National Public Lands Day was established by the National Environmental Education Foundation in 1994 and is held annually on the fourth Saturday in September. This day celebrates the connection between people and green spaces in their community, inspires environmental advocacy, and encourages use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.

We have even more reason to celebrate public lands this month. September 3 is the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, a critical tool that has been used to protect 112 million acres of public lands across 44 states. September 14-22 is Latino Conservation Week, an initiative of the Hispanic Access Foundation created to support the Latino community getting into the outdoors and protecting natural resources.