NPS Photo

National Public Lands Day - September 26,2009

Shiloh National Military Park will participate in the largest one-day volunteer effort for our nation's public lands. In cooperation with the 16th annual National Public Lands Day and the National Park Service's "Make America's Best Idea Better: Volunteer Day," Shiloh is enlisting volunteers to help repaint and restore several nearly 110 year old cast-iron troop position markers and original artillery pieces on the battlefield.

Last year 120,000 Americans came together and volunteered to help improve their favorite public places around the country. This year it is expected that more than 130,000 volunteers will participate. National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get outside, work alongside their neighbors, and help improve the community.

In addition, the National Park Service is celebrating the upcoming PBS broadcast of the new Ken Burns' film "The National Parks: America's Best Idea." The 12-hour series starts on Sunday, September 27 and runs for six consecutive nights. Volunteers on September 26 will be shown a forty-five minute This is America film produced by Burns for the NPS in advance of the series premier.

All Shiloh volunteers will receive certificates of appreciation from the National Public Lands organization, "Fee Free" coupons which waive entrance fees at federal sites across the county, and a Shiloh Battlefield service award Patch.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Shiloh Visitor Center on September 26 at 8:00 a.m.  For more information or to register to participate please contact ranger Chris Mekow at 731-689-5696 or by email.