Every now and then, in this screen-glazed, microplastic-riddled world, the Earth taps us politely on the shoulder—maybe with a blackberry thorn, maybe with a sunbeam through fir branches—and whispers: Hey human, maybe put your phone down and help me not die today?

Enter: National Public Lands Day, that gloriously dirt-smeared, trail-clearing, habitat-hugging national moment of collective ecological repair. Officially, it landed on September 26 this year—but in true Pacific Northwest fashion, we extend the celebration into a two-week foliage-fueled frenzy, because trees don’t care about federal calendars.

And here in the South Sound, we save the best for last. Mark your compostable calendars: Saturday, October 10 is Green Tacoma Day, the city’s eighth annual all-hands-on-deck restoration rampage, where volunteers, woodland spirits, and maybe a few hungover but determined college students descend upon our parks and natural areas to wage righteous war against invasive species, spread chips with fervor, and reconnect with the soggy, lovely planet we keep forgetting to love.

The Green Tacoma Partnership—a local dream team made up of the City of Tacoma, Metro Parks, Port of Tacoma, Forterra NW, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, gnomes, faith groups, eco-zealots, schoolkids, and probably one guy named Dave with a machete and a mission—has organized a suite of restoration events at 10 locations across the city.

The battlegrounds?

• First Creek

• Franklin Park

• Garfield Natural Area

• Julia’s Gulch

• Oak Tree Park

• Pacific Lutheran University, among others

This is your chance. If you’ve ever fantasized about ripping scotch broom from the earth with the righteous fury of an angry Norse god, this is your moment. If the spiritual high of laying down a crisp chip trail sends you into rapture, you are needed. If blackberry bush scars are your love language, consider this your invitation.

Volunteers can sign up at: tacoma.cedar.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map. Tools provided. Gratitude guaranteed.

Because the thing is: urban green space doesn’t just happen. It’s not self-cleaning. It’s not a passive miracle. It’s a relationship—messy, beautiful, rooted. And like all good relationships, it requires attention, intention, and yes, sometimes just showing up and yanking out invasive flora with your bare hands.

So grab your gloves, your boots, your weeding rage, and your quietly hopeful heart. Come out October 10. Help make Tacoma greener, wilder, more alive.

Because the squirrels are watching. And frankly, they’re judging us.

For more information on Green Tacoma Day, visit http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/green-tacoma-day-chip-in/.