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Conservation Committee

The Chapter Conservation Committee is primarily concerned with the preservation of Sterling Forest and other local and regional conservation and environmental issues such as New York City water quality, and the protection of the multi-state Appalachian Highlands region. (see our Map of the Sterling Forest Area, and the latest update on Sterling Forest from the NY-NJ Trail Conference Page.) So that we can be more effective, we often join with other environmentally conscious organizations, like the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and others, to work on specific projects or areas of concern. Some of these are:

• Save the "Highlands" where many of us live and recreate.

Many Chapter members get personally involved in local conservation by working on nearby trails. The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference coordinates all of the trail maintenance work in the New York Metropolitan area, and is a great place to find out what they do - check it out. You may also want to take a look at the Trail Conference's Regional Trails Map to see where the trails that our members maintain are located. That map pretty well defines our neighborhood. The Trail Conference is another one of the organizations that often join with us on large conservation projects.

You can learn more about the current conservation issues effecting the New York Metropolitan area, and the AMC's position by coming on some of our Conservation Education Outings. These outings are often joint with another conservation organizations, and are an easy educational outing with a conservation theme. See the current outings in the Conservation Schedule. For even more information about New York City issues, review the latest issue of Urban Outdoors, which is the monthly newsletter of the Neighborhood Open Space Coalition and Friends of Gateway National Recreation Area. They will send it FREE by e-mail or fax to anyone.

For national and regional information, every month the Club staff in Boston assembles a Conservation Action Network News update that provides the latest information on the status of conservation issues throughout the northeast and the nation.

For more information about the Chapter Conservation program, contact either the Conservation Committee Chair or Vice Chair below.

Upcoming Conservation Events

2008

• February 22-24: Graymoor in Garrison, NY. The Graymoor Spiritual Life Center is hosting a nature weekend including cross-country skiing and ice skating.
  - Download Graymoor information.
• June 20-22: AMC Fire Island Weekend. Hike to the Sunken Forest for a tour one day and get a lighthouse tour on day two.
• August 1-3: Mt. St. Alphonsus in Esopus, NY. Join AMC for hiking, biking and paddling in the Gunks, Minnewaska and Mohonk areas.
• September 26-28: Graymoor in Garrison, NY. Hike on the Appalachian Trail and canoe Constitution Marsh. In conjunction with the Audubon Society.
• October 3-5: Maple Ridge Community in Esopus, NY. A nature weekend including a John Boroughs’ presentation at Slabsides, Shaupeneak Ridge hike, Wallkill Valley Rail Trail bike ride, a tour of Esopus Lighthouse, and education workshops by Clearwater and Scenic Hudson.

Previous Conservation Events

• CONSERVATION CHALLENGE – Hike an entire preserve and map all the trails.
• Take a calm water stroll through Constitution Marsh, a protected nature preserve of the Hudson River. We will be guided in canoes by an Audubon conservationist explaining the importance of this Critical Treasure.
• Enjoy and explore during our nature retreat weekend in Esopus, NY. We will indulge in all things literary and natural at the John Burroughs Sanctuary, 170 acres of protected woodlands, as well as visiting Burroughs’s Slabsides cabin, a National Historic Landmark. A tour and presentation on Sat., Walkill Rail Trail bike on Sun., and a Clearwater workshop, Esopus Meadows hike and tour of Esopus Lighthouse, the only remaining wooden lighthouse in the Hudson River, on Mon.
• Hike amongst a Highlands Conservation Focal area, including Torne Mt. and other heights. Intense development pressure has threatened this watershed area. A conservationist talk on Highlands artist Jasper Cropsey included.

Our Conservation Program Can Always Use Help

All members can help out with our conservation program. Join us and we will put you to work right away.

• To join us, get a copy of our online AMC Membership Application.
• The application form includes all the information that you need, but you can also read about the membership options.