Saturday was National Public Lands Day, which is observed each year on the fourth Saturday of September.

Since National Public Lands Day was established in 1994, it’s been marked by volunteers going out to restore and improve public lands throughout the nation.

And although the COVID-19 pandemic altered many annual events, observances and practices this year, the region still found a great way to celebrate National Public Lands Day with a beach and trail clean-up event Saturday at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore near Munising in Alger County.

Those not able to make the journey to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Saturday should consider doing a personal mini-cleanup of public lands by bringing a plastic bag and picking up any trash seen during a short walk or hike.

In fact, no matter when or where it’s done, removing litter can make all the difference for flora, fauna and the ecosystem as a whole.

We’re all in this together and we can each make the environment a safer, more beautiful place by protecting, honoring and respecting it.