This week, with spring in full swing, encompasses Earth Day, the 200th birthday of John James Audubon and Arbor Day. So naturally, lots of outdoorsy events are being planned by community organizations in our region, including community, shoreline and trail cleanups. Volunteering for some is a great way to work the cabin-fever kinks out of your atrophied muscles.
One local environmental treasure is Slabsides, the rustic cabin built in West Park by the great 19th-century naturalist John Burroughs. While the cabin itself won’t be open to the public again until the third Saturday in May, its recently refurbished trail system is available year-round. But winter blowdowns have blocked passage on some of those trails, so a cleanup party is being organized for this Saturday morning, April 25, and volunteers are needed. The Catskills chapter of Trout Unlimited will be showing up with chainsaws to clear fallen trees, so all you need to bring are work gloves, and clippers or a metal rake if you have them.
If you’d like to start the day with a nature walk guided by Matt Corsaro of the John Burroughs Natural History Society, let him know that you’re coming by e-mailing mattcorsaro@yahoo.com and show up at 8 a.m. Trail-clearing crews will meet up at 9 a.m. at the Slabsides gateway. Trail treats will be provided.
The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is located at 261 Floyd Ackert Road, just off Route 9W in West Park. To sign up to participate in the Spring Trail Cleanup, e-mail joanburroughs@yahoo.com.
Join the family! 
