Join the Care for the Land Fall Trash Bash on Sept. 26 in La Pine

Bend, Ore. (KTVZ) --- Nonprofit organization Discover Your Northwest will host the Care for the Land Fall Trash Bash community cleanup near La Pine State Park in the Deschutes National Forest on Sept. 26, 2026.

The volunteer event is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in celebration of National Public Lands Day.

The cleanup is the second Trash Bash organized under the Care for the Land Program, which focuses on maintaining public lands and building community connections in Central Oregon.

Karen Walsh serves as director of programs for Discover Your Northwest and is coordinating event administration.

The community event requires no prior experience and all community members are invited to participate. Minors ages 12 and older must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the cleanup.

Organizers will provide all necessary tools, supplies and lunch for participants. Dogs are not allowed at the cleanup due to event logistics and permitting requirements, though accommodations for disability-related needs may be requested.

In addition to picking up trash, participants will have opportunities throughout the morning to learn about public land stewardship in Central Oregon and ways to stay involved in future conservation efforts.

Discover Your Northwest is a Seattle, Wash.-based 501(c)(three) nonprofit organization founded in 1974. The group operates across Oregon, Wash., northern California, Idaho and Montana to support public lands through educational programs, retail operations and community partnerships.

Volunteers can register for the cleanup online at discovernw.org/volunteer. The exact meeting site near La Pine State Park will be finalized prior to the Sept. 26 event.