(Press release)

FORT WORTH, Texas –The U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and The National Environmental Education Foundation are working together to preserve the nation’s public lands. National Public Lands Day began 15 years ago with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Throughout the years NPLD has grown tremendously with overwhelming public support.

According to publiclandsday.org, last year the volunteer force was 120,000 strong at more than 1,800 locations nationwide. On September 26 you will have an opportunity to join in the effort to preserve our public lands at Navarro Mills Lake.

Located on the Navarro and Hill county line, Navarro Mills Lake provides many excellent recreational opportunities for the surrounding area including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, and some hunting. During NPLD this year at the lake volunteers can choose from three projects including wetland habitat restoration, nature trail construction, or reforestation.

“The activities that are available this year provide an excellent opportunity for people to help increase the diversity of outdoor recreational opportunities, improve wildlife habitat and sustain public lands and waters for future generations,” said Alton Hurley, Navarro Mills Lake manager.

Construction of levees to create wetlands on the western end of the lake was completed in 2006. The soil has been saturated and is now ready to be planted with moist soil wetland plants.

“Establishing high quality hydric vegetation in the moist soil management units will greatly improve habitat quality for migratory birds and many other localized wildlife species,” said Jay Whiteside, biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Nature trails are an excellent way for the public to experience the regions natural resources. Currently there is only one nature trail on the lake, located in Oak Park. Constructing a new nature trail will provide new outdoor enjoyment opportunities while hiking or biking. The trail will be constructed in the 260 acre Wolf Creek Park (located on FM 639) where visitors can view a variety of plants and animals that thrive in various ecosystems; including riparian, tall grass prairie, and the Post Oak savanna.

Through the years many native trees have been planted around the lake by volunteers. Planting trees in stages allows the Corps to increase the survival rate by focusing resources on maintaining a smaller number of trees.

“Planting 25 trees in Liberty Hill Park (located on FM 709) plus another 25 in Wolf Creek Park will improve wildlife viewing opportunities by creating corridors of cover and browse through which wildlife can enter the parks,” said Joshua Brown, Park Ranger, Navarro Mills Lake.

Come join the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on September 26 at Navarro Mills Lake to help preserve our natural resources for National Public Lands Day. Volunteering to improve public lands is a great way for students strengthen scholarship or job applications. For information on volunteering at Navarro Mills Lake in support of National Public Lands Day call (254) 578-1431. For more information about Navarro Mills Lake visit www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/navarro/. To learn more about National Public Lands Day please visit www.publiclandsday.org/.