DIANE MAKAR MURPHY National Public Lands Day carries on CCC's mission

Soup lines were a common sight and young men had few or no prospects for employment in the early 1930s. As a result, more than 600,000 men flocked to join the Civilian Conservation Corps.
In the throes of the Great Depression, the CCC members were more than happy to send home $30 a month. It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt's brainstorm -- a way to preserve self-esteem, to create a civilian army of men who would do meaningful work and conserve America's natural resources.
They occupied 2,650 camps across the country and erected 3,470 fire towers. CCC members built 97,000 miles of fire roads and spent more than 4 million man hours fighting fires. They planted 3 billion -- yes, that's billion -- trees. They prevented erosion on more than 20 million acres of public lands.
More than 7 million man-days went to improving natural habitats and streams, restocking of fish and constructing small water conservation dams.
They built 46,854 bridges, restored 3,980 historical structures, installed 5,000 miles of water supply line and developed 800 state parks. Among the members were 80,000 American Indians and 25,000 "older men" hired to train the younger ones.
You might think the Civilian Conservation Corps disappeared into the history books, and you would be right. But the mission has not.
Legacy created
Two years ago, on Sept. 29, CCC alumni -- those we might dub "old-timers" -- created a legacy. Gathered in Shenandoah National Park, as they had for many reunions since 1934, they passed on the banner of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was on that beautiful fall day, with the trees just hinting at the glorious explosion of gold, red, and purple to come, that National Public Lands Day was created.
It was a gauntlet presented by men who had rejuvenated or even created many of America's most treasured assets. In 2001 and 2002, many of the country's public habitats got a face-lift -- not via government employees as in the 1930s, but through volunteers.
This year, National Public Lands Day will focus on "improving and preserving this country's habitats -- the forests, mountains, prairies, plains, rivers, wetlands and urban streams that are home to a rich diversity of animals, birds, and plants."
And that's a big invitation to all of us.
Volunteers needed
According to park ranger Derek Bell, with the Army Corps of Engineers at Berlin Lake, volunteers of all ages are encouraged to pitch in.
"On Sept. 20, we are hosting our first annual National Public Lands Day celebration at the campgrounds," Bell said. "Its purpose is to recognize the importance of the condition our public lands are in."
Bell hopes that 150 to 200 volunteers will show up to work on trail maintenance, campsite rehabilitation, shoreline cleanup and tree planting.
"Donations from local businesses will make this event possible, as the money will go towards food and supplies for the volunteers," he said.
Last year, some 70,000 volunteers across the country got involved in the event. In California, they built nests for endangered birds, planted seedlings in fire-decimated forests in Colorado and eliminated algae that was damaging coral in Hawaii.
A partnership
What makes National Public Lands Day unique is that it is a partnership among federal, state and local land agencies, nonprofit organizations, private corporations and citizen volunteers. Toyota Motor Sales USA is sponsoring the project this year.
The CCC lasted from 1933 to 1942 and was charged with preserving and protecting America's natural heritage. It is hoped that National Public Lands Day will carry on that task for decades to come with our help.
To join the volunteers at Berlin Lake Sept. 20, call (330) 547-3781 and ask for Stephen Shaw, Berlin Lake resource manager.
murphy@vindy.com