Editor’s note: This story originally appeared in Wilderness Magazine, our annual publication that features in-depth coverage and features about the day’s most pressing conservation issues. Become a member and receive a free copy! By Susan Q. Stranahan Read more

Visitors in Stephen Mather Wilderness, North Cascades National Park in Washington. Photo by Jeff L. Fox.

On Saturday, Sept. 25, Americans from all walks of life will gather on public lands across the country to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Our public lands — national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and the lands overseen by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management — belong to all Americans as our natural heritage.Read more

Sylvania Wilderness Area, Michigan. Photo by Jeff Rennicke, Flickr.

Fall is officially here. Summer’s sticky afternoons are being replaced by crisp autumnal breezes, and fresh cider greets you after an afternoon walk in the woods. What’s not to like? Earlier this month President Obama declared September Wilderness Month, and called for Americans to get outside and enjoy our treasured landscapes. If you have yet to do so, there’s still time — and this weekend is a perfect opportunity. Why? Saturday, Sept. 26 is Public Lands Day. Read more