ST. LOUIS – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, will waive day use fees at its recreation areas Sept. 26 in recognition of National Public Lands Day and will host volunteer and recreational events across the district.
The nationwide fee waiver applies to day use fees normally charged at boat ramps and swimming beaches. It does not apply to camping, camping related services or specialized facilities such as group picnic shelters. Recreation areas operated by other agencies or partners on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property may choose whether to participate in the fee waiver.
St. Louis District National Public Lands Day events include:
Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary land-based clean up, Sept. 26
Volunteers will meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Ellis Island parking lot to remove trash from Ellis Island and trails throughout the sanctuary. Volunteers may bring their own trash bags or pick up bags at the Audubon Center at Riverlands, 301 Riverlands Way, West Alton, Missouri.
Trash collection will conclude at approximately 11:30 a.m., followed by refreshments and prizes at noon at the Audubon Center. Participating volunteers will also receive a free National Park Day Pass.
Rend Lake Bike Fest, Sept. 26
The Rend Lake Project will host Rend Lake Bike Fest from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rend Lake Project Office and Visitor Center.
A guided bicycle ride led by Rend Lake park rangers will begin at 10:30 a.m. and include a stewardship activity. Free electric bicycles will be available for the ride through Southern Illinois E-Bikes and Black Dog E-Bike Rentals. Preregistration is required for the bicycle ride. Participants may register by calling 618-724-2493.
Other activities include food trucks, a children’s bicycle and helmet raffle, bicycle safety activities and an opportunity to meet representatives from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Mark Twain Lake fish habitat placement, Sept. 26
The Mark Twain Lake Project will host a fish habitat placement event in recognition of National Public Lands Day at the Mark Twain Lake Project Office, Highway J, Monroe City, Missouri 63456. The placement will take place at the Spalding Boat Ramp at 8 a.m.
Rend Lake Plant for Pollinators, Sept. 23
The Rend Lake Project will host a Plant for Pollinators event Sept. 23 as part of its National Public Lands Day activities. Rend Lake is partnering with University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Department of Public Health Educators to provide a day of stewardship at the Rend Lake Visitor Center.
To register, visit: 2026 Rend Lake Pollinator Garden Stewardship and select the Wednesday, September 23 session. For any questions, contact Olivia Barclay at olivia.c.barclay@usace.army.mil.
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single day of volunteer activity on public lands and is coordinated by the National Environmental Education Foundation. This year’s theme, “Caring for Our Shared America,” recognizes the role volunteers play in caring for public lands as the nation observes its 250th anniversary.
Volunteers participating in eligible U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Public Lands Day activities may receive a fee free coupon valid for one year from the date of issuance. The coupon may be used for one day of entrance or day use fees at participating federal recreation areas. Participants should check with the local project office to determine whether an event participates in the coupon program.
For more information about National Public Lands Day or to find additional events, visit publiclandsday.org. Information about U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation opportunities is available at CorpsLakes.us.
