The Central New Land Trust announced that it will be holding its 50th Anniversary Commemorative Walk this Earth Day, April 22 at 1 p.m. at Green Lakes State Park in Fayetteville.
The Land Trust encourages Central New Yorkers of all ages who love nature and want to help preserve and protect our natural areas to lace up their sneakers and walk to raise money to help save our little corner of the Earth – just like the first participants did in the 1970s. This Walk for Nature, will wind around the park’s lakes for a total of three miles, but participants can opt for shorter excursion trails or longer loops.
The Central New York Land Trust has a 50-year history of nature conservation in Central New York.
The organization began as a group of concerned citizens determined to save a parcel of land in Marcellus from development.
These citizens organized with local schools and hosted their first walk in 1972. Students raised enough money to purchase the property that is now Baltimore Woods Nature Center.
This group’s efforts were so successful, they incorporated and went on to save an additional 50 sites with more than 3,400 acres of undeveloped land in the intervening 50 years.
“We are just getting started,” says Executive Director Simon Solomon. “We have our sights set on sweeping projects to protect our fragile watersheds and wetlands in order to safeguard drinking water for Central New York and to create sanctuaries for threatened and endangered species of plants and animals.”
The land trust is partnering with Onondaga County schools for the Walk for Nature.
Check with your school to find out how to get involved, or go to the land trust’s website at cnylandtrust.org/walk-for-nature.
“We aren’t limiting participation to just schools. Any individual or group can gather pledges and walk to help us save land,” said Paul Porter, director of stewardship at the Central New York Land Trust.
For more information on how to sign your group up, email [email protected], or call 315-575-8839.
All walk participants in the Central New York Land Trust’s Walk for Nature at Green Lakes State Park must register at cnylandtrust.org/walk-for-nature.
Tickets are $35 for individuals and $75 for a family of four and include a free t-shirt, refreshments, and free parking at Green Lakes for the event.
The land trust is also signing up sponsored walkers who collect pledges from family and friends. Ticket fees are waived for all sponsored walkers who raise $35 or more.
Schools, groups, and teams who raise the most money will receive prizes and bragging rights.
The land trust is also seeking corporate sponsors for the Walk for Nature.
Please contact Simon Solomon at 315-575-8839, or email him at [email protected] for more information.
The Central New York Land Trust seeks to preserve and protect natural areas in order to provide our communities clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, and a chance to connect with the land. For more information about the Central New York Land Trust, visit cnylandtrust.org or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.