- Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site Hosts September Weekend Events: Youth Campout, Let's Move Outside Activity and Restoration and Clean-Up -

(BLACK PR WIRE) – Atlanta – On Saturday, September 24, more than 180,000 volunteers, including more than 300 at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site (MLK Jr., NHS), are expected to visit their favorite parks, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and chip in to help improve these treasured places. They’ll be taking part in National Public Lands Day (NPLD), the largest, single-day volunteer effort for public lands in the United States.

Atlanta’s Greening Youth Foundation (GYF) and Park Pride are partnering with NPLD to host a signature NPLD event at MLK Jr., NHS in Atlanta, GA. This service event celebrates volunteerism and the importance of recreation and public lands to community health.

Volunteer activities will include various projects focused on the restoration of historic houses adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr.’s first home. Volunteers will weed, paint and mulch at the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site. Park Pride is also hosting a volunteer event at Freedom Park in Atlanta.

As part of the celebration of health and recreation on public lands, NPLD is supporting the First Lady's Let’s Move Outside initiative. Let's Move Outside engages families and youth to get outside and be active through hands-on fun activities.

In addition to the family-friendly volunteer event on Saturday, the Greening Youth Foundation will host a Youth Campout for 30 students on Friday night at MLK Jr., NHS. The campout, which is by invitation only, will feature speakers from REI, the Greening Youth Foundation and the community, as well as activities, music, games and food.

WHAT: National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event

WHO: Kwanza Hall, Atlanta City Councilmember (District 2)
Judy Forte, Superintendent, Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
George Dusenbury, Commissioner of Atlanta Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs
Kenneth Strassner, Treasurer, NEEF Board of Directors, Strassner Consulting
Rep. John Lewis (GA-05) – attending, but not speaking

WHEN: Saturday, September 24, 2011, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Opening Ceremony with speakers, 9 a.m.
Restoration and clean-up activities, 9:30 a.m.
Closing Remarks and a Let’s Move! activity, 1p.m.

WHERE: Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
450 Auburn Ave, NE
Atlanta, Ga. 30312

CONTACTS: Media: Amber Taylor, 703-201-4893
Day of/On-site: Bobby Cato, 202-321-1731
Tony Stennis for questions specific to the MLK, Jr. NHS (404) 331. 5190 ext.3011

This year marks the 18th annual National Public Lands Day, an event that brings together thousands of volunteers from coast to coast to improve and restore the lands and facilities that Americans use for recreation, education, exercise and relaxation. Last year more than 170,000 Americans participated at more than 2,000 sites in all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC.

Eight federal agencies will participate along with more than 250 state, county, and city partners and a host of nonprofit groups, including the Boy Scouts of America, The Girl Scouts of the USA, Student Conservation Association and The Corps Network. Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is the event’s national corporate sponsor for the 13th consecutive year. Northrop Grumman has joined as a contributing sponsor again for the 3rd year. The National Environmental Education Foundation coordinates National Public Lands Day.

More information can be found at www.publiclandsday.org.