Augusta — The third annual Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day will be Saturday, Sept. 15.

Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day is a way for all who enjoy the outdoors to say thank you by helping clean unwanted trash and dump sites on private property throughout the state. One can get involved by calling 1-800-750-9777.

Last year, volunteers helped clean up more than 130 sites, collecting 95 tons of refuse and nearly 1,000 discarded tires.

This year, the Maine Department of Conservation, Forestry and Agriculture, along with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, are working with outdoor groups such as the Maine Snowmobile Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association, the Maine Trappers Association and other volunteers to help clean private land.

Public access is the key to enjoying Maine’s outdoors, yet each year, access and the environment is threatened by illegal dumping. Landowner Appreciation Cleanup Day is one way for those who enjoy the outdoors to say thank you to the landowners who allow them on their property.

Maine Forest Service Forest Protection Division is utilizing their incident command system to identify and prioritize illegal dumping sites throughout the state. They have compiled a database of illegal dump sites and they are utilizing their dispatching system to direct volunteers to different sites to help clean up.

One also can see if there are sites near them by viewing this Google Map link: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=209039316182295407160.0004c908f263fb412c5d9

Maine Forest Rangers and Maine Game Wardens will be at dump sites assisting volunteers, and the Maine Forest Service is providing equipment to haul away trash, and dispose of it properly.

Landowner Appreciation is one way for those who utilize private land for outdoor recreation to say thank you to landowners who provide that access.

Access is the key to Maine’s outdoor traditions. More than 90 percent of Maine is privately owned. Without public access to private land, there would be few opportunities to hike, hunt, fish, trap, boat, watch wildlife, snowmobile, mountain bike and ATV.

Mark Latti of the MDIFW said, "Get involved, and this year, help those landowners who help you enjoy the outdoors. It’s a great way to say thank you, and help ensure that future generations will have access to Maine’s vast outdoors."

For more information, contact Latti at mark.latti@maine.gov; or to find a site near you, call 1-800-750-9777.

Courier Publications sports staff can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401 or by email at sports@courierpublicationsllc.com.