Skip to main content
Fairfax County, Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia
Fairfax County Virginia

FFX Global Navigation

    • Department Homepage
    • Hours
      • Operational Hours
      • Holiday Hours & Class Schedules
      • Rec Center Schedules
    • Parks
      • Find It
      • Waterfront Parks
      • Nature and History
      • Water Parks and Spray Grounds
      • Sports and Fitness
      • Specialty Attractions
    • Rec Centers
      • Rec Centers Home
      • Memberships
      • Rec Center Schedules
      • Audrey Moore
      • Cub Run
      • Franconia
      • George Washington
      • Mount Vernon
      • Oakmont
      • Providence
      • South Run
      • Spring Hill
    • Golf Courses
      • Golf Home
      • Operating Status
      • Burke Lake Golf Center
      • Greendale Golf Course
      • Jefferson Golf Course
      • Laurel Hill Golf Club
      • Oakmont Golf Center
      • Pinecrest Golf Course
      • Twin Lakes Golf Course
    • Events Calendar
    • Park Reservations
      • Picnic Areas (Picnic shelters, canopy’s, gazebos)
      • Camping Reservations
      • Golf Tee Times
      • Water Mine
      • Our Special Harbor
    • Programs and Activities
      • PARKTAKES ONLINE
      • Summer Entertainment Series
      • Classes
      • Camps
      • Popular Activities
      • Farmers Markets
      • Healthy Strides
      • Preschool
      • Group Activities
      • Gift Cards
      • Wonder Wagon
      • Dogs of Fairfax County
      • Older Adults
    • Park Maintenance Requests
      • Request Tree and Debris Removal
      • Athletic Field Maintenance
    • Board and Committee Meetings
    • Park Budget and Fees
    • Natural and Cultural Resources
      • Archaeology and Collections
      • Heritage Conservation
      • Nature and Natural Resources
    • Trails
      • Trails Home
      • Trail Buddy
      • Discovery Trail Map
      • Accessible Trails
      • Cross County Trail
      • Bike Trails
      • Equestrian Trails
      • Trail Mix QR Code Fitness Trails
      • First Hike
    • Special Topics
    • Jobs at the Park Authority
      • #joinFCPA
      • Jobs
    • Rentals and Permits
      • Park Use Permits
      • Facility Rentals
      • Easements and Permits
    • Long Range Planning
    • Planning and Improvements
      • Planning Projects
      • Development Projects
      • Park Bond
      • Quarterly Project Updates
    • Park News
    • Connect
      • Contact Us
      • Stay Informed and Engaged
      • Park News
      • Subscribe to E-News and E-Newsletters
      • Support Your Parks
      • Friends Group
      • Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program
      • Volunteer
      • Park Volunteer Teams
    • About Us
      • Park Authority Board
      • Rules
      • Awards
    • Weather-Related Closures
    • Recreation Services for Customers with Disabilities ♿
    • Parks Website Comments
  • Residents
    • Animals & Pets
      • Adoptions
      • Animal Control & Regulations
      • Guide to Dogs
      • Lost & Found Pets
      • Shelter Support & Supplies
      • Wildlife
      • More
      Courts & Legal
      • Case Information
      • Circuit Court Docket
      • Jury Duty
      • Land Records
      • Magistrate
      • Public Law Library
      • Self-Help Resources
      • Traffic Court
      • Vital Records
      • More
      Environment & Energy
      • Invasive Species
      • Litter
      • Recycle, Trash & Compost
      • Sustain Fairfax
      • Trees
      • Watersheds
      • More
      Health & Human Services
      • Basic Needs & Assistance
      • Disability Services
      • Diseases & Conditions
      • Domestic & Sexual Violence
      • Health Clinics
      • Mental Health
      • Opioids
      • More
      Individuals & Families
      • Children & Youth
      • Federal Workforce
      • Immigrants
      • Military & Veterans
      • New Residents
      • Older Adults
      • Parents
      • People with Disabilities
      • Volunteers
      • More
      Land Use & Planning
      • Comprehensive Plan
      • County Capital Projects
      • Land Records
      • Parks Planning
      • Planning Projects
      • Research Tools
      • Transportation Projects
      • Urban Centers
      • More
      Library & Education
      • Adult Education
      • Early Childhood Programs
      • Library Branches
      • Library Catalog Search
      • Public Schools
      • More
      Parks & Recreation
      • Arts
      • Athletic Fields
      • Camps
      • Community Centers
      • Parktakes Classes
      • Rec Centers
      • Senior Centers
      • Teen Centers
      • Trails
      • More
      Permits & Licenses
      • Birth & Death Certificates
      • Building
      • Child Care
      • Dogs
      • Health
      • Marriage
      • Park Use
      • Solicitors
      • More
      Property & Housing
      • Affordable Housing
      • Code & Zoning
      • Neighborhoods
      • Real Estate Values
      • Recycling & Trash
      • Tenant Landlord Issues
      • Utilities
      • More
      Public Safety & Emergencies
      • 9-1-1
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Fire & Rescue
      • Gun Violence Prevention
      • Police
      • Scams
      • Sheriff
      • Storm Center
      • More
      Roads & Commuting
      • Bike & Walk
      • Connector Bus
      • Metrobus & Metrorail
      • Park & Ride
      • Pedestrian Safety
      • Road Maintenance/VDOT
      • Street Parking
      • Toll Roads
      • Transportation Projects
      • More
      Taxes & Fees
      • Car Taxes
      • Park Fees
      • Real Estate Taxes
      • Tax Relief
      • Trash Disposal Fees
      • More
      Voting & Elections
      • Absentee Voting
      • Early Voting
      • Election Results
      • Polling Places
      • Voter Registration
      • More
      Weather & Climate
      • Air Quality
      • Climate Action Dashboard
      • Extreme Heat
      • Floods
      • Ready Fairfax
      • Resilient Fairfax
      • Snow
      • Tornadoes
      • More
  • Business
    • Business & Construction
      • Building Permits
      • Code & Zoning
      • Land Use
      • More
      Business Services
      • Business Emergency Preparedness
      • Business Taxes
      • Consumer Services
      • Employer Transportation Service
      • Green Business Partners Program
      • Home-Based Business
      • Regulation & Licensing
      • Small Business
      • Starting a Business
      • Workplace Issues
      • More
      Doing Business with Fairfax
      • Contracting and Procurement
      • Current Solicitations
      • Permits
      • Vendor Pitch Portal
      • More
  • Government
    • About
      • Codes & Standards
      • Countywide Strategic Plan
      • Facilities & Locations
      • History of Fairfax County
      • Operating Status
      • More
      Board of Supervisors
      • Auditor
      • Board Members
      • Boards, Authorities & Commissions
      • Clerk Services
      • Committees
      • Meetings & Agendas
      • More
      Budget & Finance
      • Bonds
      • Budget
      • Financial Transparency
      • Unclaimed Money
      • More
      Departments & Agencies
      Jobs & Employment
      • Full-Time Openings
      • Internships
      • Seasonal & Non-Merit
      Maps & Data
      • Countywide Data Analytics
      • Demographics
      • Geographic Information Systems
      • Interactive Data Tools
      • More
      One Fairfax
      • Digital Equity
      • Inclusive Engagement
      • Trust Policy
  • Fairfax County Virginia
  • Services
    • Find
      • Animal Services
      • Health Clinics
      • Jobs
      • Library Resources
      • Lost or Found Pet
      • Mental Health Support
      • Park Classes
      • Real Estate Values
      • Recycling & Trash
      • Volunteer Opportunities
      • More
      Pay
      • Business Taxes
      • Car Taxes
      • Dog Licenses
      • Driving & Parking Fines
      • False Alarm Fees
      • Real Estate/Property Taxes
      • SACC Payments
      • More
      Register/Apply
      • Basic Needs & Assistance
      • Building Inspections
      • Car Registration
      • Fairfax Alerts
      • Permits & Licenses
      • Tax Relief
      • Vote
      • More
      Report
      • Animal Control Issues
      • Consumer Complaints
      • Crime
      • Domestic Violence
      • Financial Crimes
      • Neighborhood Complaints
      • Road Issues to VDOT
      • Street Light Outages
      • More
  • Connect
    • Alerts, Emails & Apps
      • Email Subscriptions
      • Fairfax Alerts
      • Mobile App
      • More
      Community Engagement
      • Surveys & Projects
      Contact
      • Directory
      • Hotlines & Emergency Numbers
      • VDOT
      • VFOIA Requests
      • More
      News & Events
      • Daily Headlines
      • Emergency Information Blog
      • Events Calendar
      • NewsCenter
      • NotiCentro (Spanish)
      • Public Meetings Calendar
      • More
      Social Media
      • Comments Policy
      • Directory of Accounts
      • More
      TV, Video & Podcasts
      • Channel 16
      • Podcasts & Radio
      • YouTube
      • More
  • TRANSLATE
    • Language Selection

      To change the language of this website, click the drop-down list and select the desired language. The Fairfax County Web site is being translated through "machine translation" powered by Google Translate. Disclaimer

Park Authority

  1. Home
  2. Park Authority
  3. National Public Lands Day

Alert:

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
fairfaxparks
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

  • Department Homepage
  • Hours
    • Operational Hours
    • Holiday Hours & Class Schedules
    • Rec Center Schedules
  • Parks
    • Find It
    • Waterfront Parks
    • Nature and History
    • Water Parks and Spray Grounds
    • Sports and Fitness
    • Specialty Attractions
  • Rec Centers
    • Rec Centers Home
    • Memberships
    • Rec Center Schedules
    • Audrey Moore
    • Cub Run
    • Franconia
    • George Washington
    • Mount Vernon
    • Oakmont
    • Providence
    • South Run
    • Spring Hill
  • Golf Courses
    • Golf Home
    • Operating Status
    • Burke Lake Golf Center
    • Greendale Golf Course
    • Jefferson Golf Course
    • Laurel Hill Golf Club
    • Oakmont Golf Center
    • Pinecrest Golf Course
    • Twin Lakes Golf Course
  • Events Calendar
  • Park Reservations
    • Picnic Areas (Picnic shelters, canopy’s, gazebos)
    • Camping Reservations
    • Golf Tee Times
    • Water Mine
    • Our Special Harbor
  • Programs and Activities
    • PARKTAKES ONLINE
    • Summer Entertainment Series
    • Classes
    • Camps
    • Popular Activities
    • Farmers Markets
    • Healthy Strides
    • Preschool
    • Group Activities
    • Gift Cards
    • Wonder Wagon
    • Dogs of Fairfax County
    • Older Adults
  • Park Maintenance Requests
    • Request Tree and Debris Removal
    • Athletic Field Maintenance
  • Board and Committee Meetings
  • Park Budget and Fees
  • Natural and Cultural Resources
    • Archaeology and Collections
    • Heritage Conservation
    • Nature and Natural Resources
  • Trails
    • Trails Home
    • Trail Buddy
    • Discovery Trail Map
    • Accessible Trails
    • Cross County Trail
    • Bike Trails
    • Equestrian Trails
    • Trail Mix QR Code Fitness Trails
    • First Hike
  • Special Topics
  • Jobs at the Park Authority
    • #joinFCPA
    • Jobs
  • Rentals and Permits
    • Park Use Permits
    • Facility Rentals
    • Easements and Permits
  • Long Range Planning
  • Planning and Improvements
    • Planning Projects
    • Development Projects
    • Park Bond
    • Quarterly Project Updates
  • Park News
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Stay Informed and Engaged
    • Park News
    • Subscribe to E-News and E-Newsletters
    • Support Your Parks
    • Friends Group
    • Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program
    • Volunteer
    • Park Volunteer Teams
  • About Us
    • Park Authority Board
    • Rules
    • Awards
  • Weather-Related Closures
  • Recreation Services for Customers with Disabilities ♿
  • Parks Website Comments

Related Resources

  • Park Authority Board
  • Fairfax County Park Foundation
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • youtube

National Public Lands Day

national public lands day

National Public Lands Day 2026

National Public Lands Day is on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

Get Involved

Since 1994, National Public Lands Day has mobilized volunteers of all ages to engage in a celebration of service and stewardship of America’s public lands. The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands.

We invite you to be a part of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s celebration of National Public Lands Day by taking part in any of a wide selection of service activities to protect the natural, cultural and recreational resources of our treasured park system!

“The Fairfax County Park Authority is the steward of more than 23,000 acres of parkland and 334 miles of trails throughout Fairfax County. Ours is the responsibility to preserve history, conserve natural resources and protect the precious amenities and resources where so many of our residents find peace, enjoyment, exercise and community. We are grateful for the selfless and generous contributions of time, talent and effort by thousands of volunteers each year.”

- Jai Cole, Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

service opportunities group picture

View all Park Authority volunteer opportunities

Sign up for an opportunity near you

About Volunteering

National Public Lands Day Number of Volunteers

The Fairfax County Park Authority manages 420 parks, more than 334 miles of trails, nature centers, rec centers, golf courses, and athletic fields across more than 23,000 acres of public land and open space throughout Fairfax County. In fiscal year 2025, 10,300 volunteers contributed more than 116,005 service hours to support a wide variety of service activities from park clean-ups and plantings to supporting events and programs within the park system. The service-hour contribution equates to a financial investment of approximately $3.8 million in in-kind support for the park system.

Learn more information on volunteering with the Fairfax County Park Authority

MAKE EVERY DAY PUBLIC LANDS DAY

One of the best ways to maintain our gold-standard park system is through the small, simple and daily choices of our park visitors to minimize the impact of their visit at our facilities. Some of the suggestions  in the National Park Service’s Leave No Trace (Seven Principles) include:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces and Only in Specifically Designated Locations
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Others

See Also:

  • The Science Behind the Principles

Recent Interactions

    Ask Fairfax

    Terms & Conditions
    Live chat available Search our site

    Related Resources

    • Park Authority Board
    • Fairfax County Park Foundation
    • facebook
    • twitter
    • instagram
    • youtube
    • Translate
    • Awards
    • Site Feedback
    • PRIVACY POLICY & COPYRIGHT
    Main Address

    12000 Government Center Pkwy
    Fairfax, VA 22035

    Phone

    703-324-7329

    TTY 711

    Site Tools
    • Website Accessibility
    • Translate
    • Download Mobile App
    Support
    • ADA Accessibility
    • FOIA Requests
    • Website Administrator
    Additional Resources
    • Fairfax County Public Schools
    • Economic Development Authority
    • Visit Fairfax
    • Council of Governments
    • Commonwealth of Virginia
    • USA.gov
    • Calendar
    • Channel 16
    • Mail
    • Security
    • WIFI
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Mobile

    The Official Site of Fairfax County