Local: Volunteers Needed

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Volunteers Sought for Trail Maintenance

The Old Saybrook Land Trust (OSLT) is sponsoring a series of trail maintenance events over the next several weeks in preparation for Connecticut Trails Day on June 4. The purpose of the events is to help keep town trails open and accessible to the public and to remove non-native plant species along the trails that have been identified by the Old Saybrook Conservation Commission and the Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation Department. Volunteers are needed to assist with trail maintenance and plant removal at any or all of the scheduled events.

The first event is on Saturday, April 2, at Great Cedars East off Merritt Lane from 1 to 4 pm. On Saturday, April 9, volunteers will be joined by OSLT's youth group, OAK, at Clark Community Park off Schoolhouse Road. Children, parents, and volunteers will undertake trail work at that location from 1 to 4 pm. On Sunday, April 10, OSLT board members and volunteers will perform trail maintenance and invasive species removal in Great Cedars West, off Ingham Hill Road, from 1 to 4 pm. OSLT and volunteers will return to Great Cedars East on Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 4 pm to conclude trail work at that location. Identification of non-native species and techniques to remove them will be given at the beginning of each session.

In addition, on Sunday, May 15, touch-up painting on trail markers will be performed on all the trails from 1 to 4 pm. Supplies and designated areas will be assigned at all three trail heads. Rain date is Sunday, May 22.

Volunteers are encouraged to join OSLT in these beneficial outdoors endeavors. Be sure to wear long protective clothing, gloves, and bug repellent; and bring clippers, loppers, and small hand tools for branch trimming and plant removal.

A Connecticut Trails Day event will be held on Saturday, June 4, from 10 am to noon. OSLT environmental educator Judy Preston will lead an interpretive hike through Great Cedars West.

For more information, contact Barbara Guenther at (860) 388-0085, blguenther19@aol.com; or call Old Saybrook Parks and Recreation at (860) 395-3152.

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