National Public Lands Day, 2024

President Biden proclaims September 28, 2024 as National Public Lands Day, encouraging Americans to participate in volunteer conservation activities and announcing a fee-free day for national parks, forests, refuges, and grasslands. The proclamation reviews the administration's conservation achievements, including protecting 42 million acres, expanding national monuments, and advancing the 'America the Beautiful' 30x30 initiative.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 80359

Impact dates

Dec 31, 2030
30x30 conservation goal deadline (30% of lands and waters conserved)
Nov 11, 2024
Final fee-free day of the year (Veterans Day)
Sep 28, 2024
National Public Lands Day; fee-free day for federal public lands

Key directives

Proclaim September 28, 2024 as National Public Lands Day
Encourage Americans to participate in day of service
Encourage volunteers to perform conservation work including reforesting, trail maintenance, ecosystem nurturing, invasive species removal

Timeline

Immediate

September 28, 2024 designated as National Public Lands Day
Fee-free day for national parks, forests, refuges, and grasslands on September 28, 2024

Near term (90d)

Veterans Day fee-free day on November 11, 2024

Long term

30x30 conservation goal (30% of lands and waters by 2030)
America the Beautiful initiative continuation
American Climate Corps program development

Risks & tensions

Proclamation references prior administration rollbacks being reversed, which could become politicized
30x30 goal timeline (2030) is ambitious and depends on sustained political commitment beyond current administration
Fee-free days are minor operational changes, not structural policy