New Nonprofit Coalition Rallies Hundreds of Volunteers for Park Improvements


Over three-hundred volunteers are gathering to improve local greenspaces during one of the largest volunteer events in Metro Atlanta. To celebrate Your State Parks Day and National Public Lands Day several impactful volunteer events have been scheduled including restoring native wildflowers, cleaning up lakes and riverbanks, and removing harmful invasive plants from sensitive habitat.

This event was created through a new coalition of nonprofits including the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance, The Nature Conservancy, Park Pride and the YMCA of Metro Atlanta. However, the seeds for this volunteer bonanza were planted when Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced a public-private partnership aimed at recruiting one million volunteers for public lands. “Magnificent landscapes and our strong volunteer ethic are part of what make America so special and unique,” Secretary Jewell said.

Volunteers can help in two beautiful locations. At Panola Mountain State Park volunteers will plant native wildflowers and help restore native habitat. Afterwards, they will be treated to a picnic lunch and commemorative tee-shirt courtesy of the Friends of Georgia State Parks. They can also enjoy yard games and ice cream. Becky Kelley, Director of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites said, “Volunteers have enormous impact on the health and well-being of parks and bring these unique places into the hearts of the community.” At Wade-Walker Park a massive cleanup will be followed by a family fun day. Both locations will work on volunteer projects from 9 AM to noon and celebrate from noon to 2 PM.

Group and individual RSVPS are still being accepted and everyone is encouraged to give back during this national day of service! Register for Panola Mountain State Park here or Wade-Walker Park here.

Follow the event live on Facebook and Twitter with hashtags #Yvolunteer and #MoveMountains

Want more information? The contact info below will get you to the correct person.

Park Pride/ Wade-Walker Volunteer Event
Ayanna Williams
Director of Community Building
ayanna(at)parkpride.org
404.546.7963

Panola Mountain State Park
RSVP and Event Details: arabiaalliance.org/event/your-state-parks-day-and-ice-cream-thank-you-event/
Victoria Piantini
Assistant Park Manager
Victoria Piantin(at)dnr.state.ga.us
770.389.7801

Information about the formation of the nonprofit coalition
Amanda Minix
Senior Campaign Manager
Financial Development Department
YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta
404.267.5359
amanda(at)ymcaatlanta.org

Click on the images below to make them larger.

Your State Parks Day 2015Wade-Walker Volunteer Event

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Published:  September 4, 2015
Back to:  News