National Public Lands Day events & Red Rock Pass “fee free day”

Sedona, AZ (September 23, 2011) – In celebration of National Public Lands Day and to encourage a shared sense of land stewardship, the Forest Service announces another “fee free day” Saturday, September 24, along with several volunteer events.

Day use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Forest Service including the Red Rock Pass. This includes access to Palatki and Honanki Ruins, V Bar B Cultural Site and approximately 300 miles of multiple-use trails.

National Public Lands Day volunteer events include:

West Fork trail – assisting Forest Service personnel with the construction of rock steps and pedestrian creek crossing within one mile of the trailhead. This project will include some heavy lifting and tool use. Please plan to carpool at 8:00 am at the Red Rock Ranger Station parking lot – located one mile south of the Village on Hwy 179.

Halfway Picnic Area – assisting Forest Service personnel with creek side clean up. This project will consist of some hiking along Oak Creek and picking up trash along the stream banks. Please meet at 8:00 am at the Halfway Picnic area, located in Oak Creek Canyon along Hwy. 89A. Halfway Picnic Area is marked with roadside signs.

Fossil Creek – assisting Forest Service personnel with stream bank clean up near the Fossil Creek Bridge and trailhead. Please meet at 9:00 am at the Fossil Springs Trailhead, located approximately 4 miles west of Strawberry on the Fossil Creek Rd.

Please contact Angie Able at (928) 203-7500 or aaabel@fs.fed.us for carpool options and to find out how many volunteers are needed for each project. Please come prepared with water, snacks, hat, gloves, boots and sunscreen. Additional items such as a hard hat, tools and safety glasses will be provided if required.

This celebration is being offered in cooperation with other agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA); the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.