Weldon B. Johnson

The Republic | azcentral.com

If you enjoy the outdoors and want to show your appreciation for Arizona's public spaces, get involved on National Public Lands Day.

There are cleanup projects, ranger programs and family activities around the state on Saturday, Sept. 30.

National Public Lands Day has been held on the last Saturday of September since 1994. Its goal is to celebrate enjoyment of outdoor public spaces such as parks and forests while offering people who enjoy those spaces a chance to give back through volunteering.

National parks, monuments and recreation areas in Arizona will waive admission fees on Saturday. Participating state and Maricopa County parks will offer free admission to those taking part in the activities.

More:Top 10 state and national parks around Arizona that aren't Grand Canyon

Here are 10 ways to be a part of National Public Lands Day around Arizona. Find out more at www.neefusa.org/find-an-event/AZ.

Anza Trail cleanup

Help remove trash along the 1.5-mile section of the Anza Trail in Tumacacori National Historical Park. Volunteers should meet in the park picnic area for a brief orientation. Trash bags will be provided and there is a limited supply of work gloves. You can earn service hours and get a reusable Tumacácori water bottle and a coupon good for free admission to any federal park or land that charges a fee. Regular park admission will be free for anyone visiting the park on this day. Bring water, snacks and a hat. Email Georgina_Jacquez@nps.gov with questions.

Details: 8:30 a.m.-noon. Tumacacori National Historical Park, 1891 E. Frontage Road, Tumacacori. 520-377-5069, www.nps.gov/tuma.

Buffalo Soldiers of Bonita Canyon

This 45-minute ranger program at Chiricahua National Monument will inform visitors about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers in southern Arizona in 1885-1886 and where they went after their time at Bonita Canyon (now part of the monument).

Details: 7-8 p.m. Chiricahua National Monument, 12856 E. Rhyolite Creek Road, Willcox. 520-824-3560, ext. 9302; www.nps.gov/chir.

Parker Canyon Lake cleanup

Help spruce up Parker Canyon Lake in the Coronado National Forest of southern Arizona. Activities include removing invasive species, planting native species and collecting seeds, and the project is rated moderately strenuous. You'll be walking on uneven surfaces and potentially walking through water. Email carianne@skyislandalliance.org with questions.

Details: 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Parker Canyon Lake, 9000 S. Parker Canyon Road, south of Elgin. 520-624-7080, skyislandalliance.org.

Chandler, Gilbert wildlife-viewing areas

Join the Desert Rivers Audubon Society and help spruce up wildlife viewing area in two popular southeast Valley bird-watching spots.

Details: 7-11 a.m. Veterans Oasis Park, 4050 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler. Email krys.hammers@gmail.com or dexter.belling@chandleraz.gov.

Details: 7-11 a.m. Gilbert Riparian Preserve, 2757 E. Guadalupe Road, Gilbert. Email maskatce@cox.net.

Lake Pleasant cleanup

Anyone who wants to help clean up trash in the park gets free admission and are welcome to stay and enjoy the lake after the cleanup ends at 11 a.m. Check-in starts at 6:30 a.m. Come to the main contact station of Lake Pleasant Regional Park for directions. Sign up at www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1949747233.

Details: 7-11 a.m. Lake Pleasant Regional Park, 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road, Morristown. 928-501-1703, maricopacountyparks.net.

Help build a trail in Prescott

​Prescott National Forest and the Prescott Mountain Bike Alliance invite volunteers to help construct part of the new Emmanuel Pines Trail System. Meet at Emmanuel Pines Camp, which is off Iron Springs Road. Food and beverages provided. Wear long-sleeve shirts, pants and work shoes or boots. Personal protection equipment will be provided. RSVP: Tony Papa, 928-777-2216 or email tpapa@fs.fed.us.

Details: 8 am.-noon. Emmanuel Pines Camp, 3000 Spence Springs Road, Prescott. www.prescottmtb.com, www.facebook.com/groups/PrescottMountainBikeAlliance.

More:Grand Canyon North Rim closes for winter Oct. 15

SARA Park trailhead work

Help make improvements to the SARA Mountain Park Loop trailhead in Lake Havasu City. Volunteers will help sign trails, plant native plants, remove trash, move rocks and other tasks to make the trailhead better. An educational display area will provide information about the trails.

Details: 7-9 a.m. SARA Mountain Park Loop trailhead, Dub Campbell Parkway, Lake Havasu City. 928-453-4141, neefusa.org/site-event/sara-park-trailhead.

Verde River Day

Dead Horse Ranch State Park celebrates its 29th annual Verde River Day on Saturday and park entrance fees are waived. Events include a climbing wall, canoe and kayak rides, sand-castle building and nature exhibits. Guests can fish the lagoon, which will be freshly stocked with catfish. Poles, bait and tackle will be provided. No fishing license is needed. There will be entertainment throughout the day.

Details: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood. 928-634-5283, azstateparks.com/dead-horse.

Whitmore Canyon Overlook cleanup

​Off-road enthusiasts can help clean up Whitmore Canyon Overlook in Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. This scenic viewpoint is popular with OHVs and other 4x4 vehicles. Volunteers will remove trash, old fence posts and wire and help clean up campsites. You'll need a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Email byardley@blm.gov for more information.

Details: 8 a.m. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Littlefield. 435-668-3386.

Youth Stewardship Day

In exchange for helping clean up trails on Mount Lemmon, middle- and high-school students who take part in the second annual Youth Stewardship Day will receive free day pass to Rocks & Ropes climbing gym in Tucson. The pass includes gear rental and an orientation class. The event is presented by the Climbing Association of Southern Arizona.

Details: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Online registration is required at www.theclimbershome.org/ysd.html.