Linn Kotermanski and Paula Sekeras were just two of more than 60 people who came out Saturday to help on five trail projects at Jennings Environmental Education Center in Brady Township. At right, Tristan Stewart and his parents, Vicki and Tom, showed up to help. The projects were part of National Public Lands Day. The annual event is the nation's largest volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands.

BRADY TOWNSHIP — The woods surrounding Jennings Environmental Education Center buzzed with activity Saturday morning as more than 60 volunteers from across the region banded together to stain bridges, build trails and help maintain the state park.

“If not us volunteers, then who?” asked Jim Melton of Butler Township. “We've been doing this for several years. We come every year.”

Melton was one of dozens who helped complete five major projects throughout the park as part of National Public Lands Day. The annual event is the nation's largest volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands, according to the National Park Service website. Last year over 113,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, planted trees and plants, and removed trash and invasive plants.

Jennings is a 300-acre state park that features the only publicly protected prairie ecosystem in Pennsylvania. Trail construction and rehabilitation was the focus of volunteer efforts at Jennings.

“It's another way for me to give back and get involved with the environment and be outside,” said Paula Sekeras, who traveled from Natrona Heights to participate.

Linn Kotermanski, of Cheswick, agreed, adding that “You're outdoors and your improving the environment for other folks.”

The two women spent their morning staining a trail bridge in the park's wetlands area. Kotermanski, a student in Butler County Community College's Parks and Recreation Management Program, said volunteers were not only helping to preserve the trails, but also ensuring their safety for others to use.“Having an event like this involved the community and gives people a sense of ownership and connection to the park,” said Brandi Miller Parrish, an environmental education specialist at Jennings Environmental Education Center.Established in 1994, the event is always held the fourth Saturday of September. It aims to connect people and green space in their community, inspire environmental stewardship, and encourage use of open space for education, recreation and health benefits.National Public Lands Day is organized by the National Environmental Education Foundation, in cooperation with Department of the Interior, Department of the Army, and Department of Agriculture.“I love the parks. I use them a lot, so I like to do my part and give back,” said Nicole Hacke, of Slippery Rock. “I didn't realize until I started helping out how much they need.”

Tristan Stewart and his parents, Vicki and Tom, were among the dozens of volunteers who showed up Saturday morning during National Public Lands Day at Jennings Environmental Education Center.

Jennings environmental center.