HUNTSVILLE— The Land Trust of North Alabama (LTNA) invites families and community members to join us for the second annual STEM at the Preserve on Saturday, September 27, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Harvest Square Nature Preserve (111 Allyson Sadie Boulevard, Harvest, AL).
Sponsored by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, this free community event celebrates National Public Lands Day with a day of family fun and outdoor learning. Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy hands-on STEM activities, interactive exhibits, live presentations, arts and crafts, guided hikes, nature journaling, birding, and fishing opportunities. A food truck will be on-site, offering a free meal for the first 100 attendees.
The day will begin with a Ribbon Cutting and Opening Ceremony at 10:00 AM, featuring speakers from Toyota, Madison County leadership, and Land Trust representatives. Exhibits and activities will follow until 2:00 PM.
“STEM at the Preserve brings families together to experience nature through exploration and discovery,” said Tim Gels, Education Director for the Land Trust. “We’re proud to celebrate National Public Lands Day by connecting people to the outdoors and inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders.”
Special activities include:
- Fishing at Harvest Square’s ponds with equipment available for loan (ages 16-64 must have a valid fishing license)
- Birding activities with spotting scopes and binoculars
- Rise Raptor presentation and other community partner booths
- Master Gardener demonstrations
- Arts and crafts and nature journaling
- Guided hikes and iNaturalist demos
National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest single-day volunteer event for public lands, held each year on the fourth Saturday in September. Coordinated by NEEF, the day brings together thousands of volunteers to care for and celebrate America’s public lands through service and community events.
“For over three decades, National Public Lands Day has been integral to our mission of connecting people to public lands in their community, inspiring environmental stewardship in our nation’s youth, and encouraging the use of public lands for education, recreation, and general health,” said Sara Espinoza, president and CEO of NEEF. “We’re thankful that our partnership with Toyota and the Land Trust can bring special events like STEM at the Preserve to life for families and community members in the greater Huntsville area.”
Media Release/Land Trust of North Alabama
