Volunteers Sought For Hands-on Preservation Event At Historic Sites Nationwide

The American Battlefield Trust's annual Park Day event encourages history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts to clean and restore nearly 130 historic sites across 32 states

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American Battlefield Trust

Mar 10, 2020, 17:08 ET

WASHINGTON, March 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Thousands of volunteers of all ages and abilities will come together on Saturday, April 4, 2020, to give back to their local communities and honor our nation's vibrant history. For the American Battlefield Trust's 24th annual Park Day, nearly 130 sites in 32 states and the District of Columbia will join a hands-on preservation event that will aid our nation's battlefields and historic sites in tackling their maintenance needs. Participating also gives communities the chance to get a jump on restoration and beautification projects in advance of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day later that month.

Park Day 2019 at Point Lookout, Md. Photo by Bob Crickenberger for the American Battlefield Trust

"Every freshly painted fence or newly planted tree can make a difference in the visitor experience," said American Battlefield Trust President James Lighthizer. "At a time when limited budgets and small staffs mean that historic sites must balance basic maintenance needs with interpretation and education goals, volunteers can make a huge impact."

The Trust is honored to play a role in keeping America's treasured landscapes and related resources clean, open and accessible for the enjoyment of all people. Since 1996, thousands of community-minded have taken part in Park Day. In 2019 alone, nearly 7,000 Park Day volunteers donated more than 25,000 service hours at 160 sites across the country. And 2020 is poised to be another runaway success, thanks to the participation of the sites listed at www.battlefields.org/parkday.

Park Day projects will take place across the nation, with activities that can include building trails, raking leaves, painting, building fences and contributing to site interpretation. Projects are set by each individual site, which allows underfunded sites to implement projects otherwise overlooked or delayed by budget or staff constraints.

The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America's hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 50,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.

For a running list of participating Park Day sites, visit Battlefields.org/parkday. Volunteers can participate in Park Day online using #ParkDay2020.

SOURCE American Battlefield Trust