MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Barack Obama encouraged every American to spend time improving our national landscape in a proclamation Sept. 25. Local volunteers responded in full force to preserve and protect Camp Pendleton’s natural resources. 

For the first time in history, 49 local volunteers served to preserve Pendleton lands and joined more than 150,000 Americans throughout the country in celebrating the 16th annual National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26. 

“Borne out of a commitment to protect and preserve our natural treasures, America’s public lands are an indispensable component of American life,” stated Obama in his National Public Lands Day Proclamation.  

Local volunteers responded, alongside base wildlife officials, by transporting and installing five additional 8-foot wide artificial wildlife watering holes across the 220 square-mile base. The 100-pound fiberglass saucers collect and store annual rainfall to foster wildlife development.

 “Public lands help preserve our Nation’s quality of life, offering fresh water, abundant natural resources, and educational and recreational opportunities,” Obama said, highlighting this year’s water-related theme.

 Just one inch of rain adds 30 gallons to the man-made reservoir which can potentially store up to 150 gallons of water at any given time.

“There are a lot of things harming the environment today, and it is important we all do our part in preserving it,” said Leslie Nevarez, Cub Scout leader, Pack 301, Temecula, Calif., who brought 11 scouts to participate in Pendleton’s project. “I hope they learned the impact they can have on the wildlife and found a sense of accomplishment in the difference they made.” 

Now a total of 30 artificial watering holes, or guzzlers, provide water to tens of thousands of Pendleton’s animals every year. If maintained properly, these guzzlers can continually nurture wildlife for more than 20 years.

“I think it’s great that so many citizens care about their local wildlife,” said Michael J. Tucker, wildlife technician, Game Warden’s Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “It’s very motivating to meet volunteers that drove five hours to help us out.”

Camp Pendleton’s environmental officials applied for a grant from the National Environmental Education in July to fund the public lands project. The foundation quickly approved the request and the project was awarded more than $3,200 for the guzzlers. 

Guzzlers were first placed on the base in 1949, but little was known about when and where animals needed water. Pendleton environmental officials responded with a recent 3-year guzzler placement study that now estimates guzzler use at nearly 100 percent.

Pendleton’s deer population is among the many wildlife expected to benefit from the project, which is significant as the herd has been pressured by drought, fire and predators, according to Pendleton wildlife officials. 

Base residents can take pride in knowing they live amongst the best preserved habitat in the region, Tucker said.

“You don’t have to volunteer in a national event to make a difference,” added Nevarez. “Just by getting involved in your own backyard, you too can make a difference.”