Protect Our Public Lands
Protect Our Public Lands Passport Challenge
Saturday, September 26 is National Public Lands Day. Throughout the month of September, St. Johns Riverkeeper is challenging you to get outside and explore our public lands! Public conservation lands are vital to maintaining healthy waterways. They provide wildlife habitat, hiking trails, hunting/fishing grounds, and pristine wetlands that filter water, prevent flooding, and recharge our groundwater.
Spending more time in parks and public lands makes people more likely to care about them and fight to protect them – so invite a friend to join you!
Explore the St. Johns!
From September 1 – September 30, 2026, we’re challenging you to visit as many public lands throughout the St. Johns River watershed as you can! We’ve included more than 50 locations on the Protect Our Public Lands Passport, from Indian River County to Duval, so you can find great new places to explore along the 310-mile long St. Johns.
Check in at each location by geolocating or submitting a photo that shows where you are! The more check-ins you accumulate on your digital passport, the more prizes and points you earn – and the more you learn about the mighty St. Johns.
Protect Our Public Lands Passport Challenge
Sign up for the Protect Our Public Lands Passport, visit and check in to as many parks and public lands as you can between September 1 and September 30, and earn prizes along the way!
Join St. Johns Riverkeeper and our partners as we raise awareness about the importance of public lands. You can’t have clean water without them!
Awards & Prizes
Novice Explorer Award – Visit 5 Different Locations
You’ve started to get your feet wet and found your way to five different public lands. Keep going – there are 310 miles of river to navigate!
Prize: Sticker
Ranger in Training Award – Visit 10 Different Locations
Your dedication to the journey is clear. You’re a true river explorer! Don’t let the adventure stop here – there’s so much more to see.
Prize: Sticker + Patch
Honorary Naturalist Award – Visit 20 Different Locations
Pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, coastal wetlands, freshwater spring runs… you’ve seen it all! We’re sure your journey through Florida’s natural landscapes is just beginning.
Prize: Sticker + Patch + T-Shirt
Partners & Challenges
We’re partnering with organizations including the Florida Springs Council, Timucuan Parks Foundation and Northside Pride to offer extra challenges and prizes – more to come soon!