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National Public Lands Day, which calls for volunteers to spend a day working to improve and restore trails, campgrounds and natural habitats, officially falls on Sept. 24 this year. But related events across the South Sound and the nation take place over a two-week period, during which time the call will be answered by helping hands. If you'd like to be among them, Saturday's the day when the fourth annual Green Tacoma Day consumes area parks.

Volunteers organized locally by Green Tacoma Partnership will converge Saturday on 14 Tacoma parks, including Point Defiance Park, Titlow Park, Garfield Gulch, McKinley Park, Tacoma Nature Center and Pacific Lutheran University.  If you love to remove scotch broom, Green Tacoma Day needs you. If you can lay down a mean chip spread, please get involved. If blackberry bush thorns give you an incredible rush, you're needed. Volunteers can, er, volunteer by contacting Richard Madison with Metro Parks at 253.752.2596.

Green Tacoma Day is organized by The Green Tacoma Partnership, which combines the efforts of the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Tahoma Audubon Society, Cascade Land Conservancy, citizens, educational organizations, neighborhood groups, small wood nymphs, non-profits, faith-based organizations, gnomes and businesses to create and support natural spaces in Tacoma.

For information on parks and projects, go to GrennTacoma.org.