OCCA Releases 2012 Nature Walk Series Schedule

COOPERSTOWN, NY (06/03/2012)(readMedia)-- The Otsego County Conservation Association is sponsoring 13 hikes on 11 trails countywide this year, including several magnificent yet often unsung state forests and parks. This month, there are three outings planned.

On Saturday, June 9 at 1 p.m., Joe Ritton will lead a hike at Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park along Andy's Trail, aimed at identifying the park's abundant wildflowers and vegetation. The hike may extend beyond Andy's Trail, so participants are reminded to dress accordingly. Those wishing to join Ritton should meet at the Sunset Pavilion. This walk is jointly sponsored by OCCA and Friends of Glimmerglass State Park. Located in Westford, Betty and Wilbur Davis State Park is a satellite facility of Glimmerglass State Park. DIRECTIONS: I-88, Exit 18, Rte. 7 W, County Rt. 34N, County Rt. 36A W to park entrance; Rte. 166, County Rte. 35 S, County Rte. 36A E to park entrance; I-88 E. For information, call (607) 547-8662 or e-mail friendsofglimmerglass@gmail.com.

OCCA Board member Mark Davies will head up an evening nature walk on Monday, June 11 at 6 p.m. on the "Blood, Sweat and Tears Trail" in Oneonta. The trail winds through what is known as Renwick Hill on land owned by the City and the Oneonta School District. Participants should meet at the north end (near the pavilion) of the upper section of Wilber Park. For more information, contact OCCA at (607) 547-4488.

Rounding out the June schedule, OCCA Environmental Planner Rima Shamieh will conduct a Morning Hike in Hooker Mountain State Forest on Saturday, June 23 at 10 a.m. Those interested can meet at the trailhead near the intersection of Hooker Mountain Road and Dog Hill Road, Westford, or follow Shamieh from the parking lot of Jackie's Restaurant, Milford when she leaves there at 9:30 a.m. For more information, call (607) 342-0516.

"This year's nature walks include several new venues as well as some old favorites, and we've diversified the schedule to include weekday as well as evening hikes, to make these events more accessible," said OCCA Executive Director Darla M. Youngs.

Since 2001, OCCA has organized and/or co-sponsored nature walks on local trails. Other confirmed dates, venues and hike leaders for 2012 are: July 2, New Island, Donna Vogler; July 7, Basswood Pond State Forest, Travis Sauerwald;

August 4, Milford State Forest, Dave Kiehm; September 1, Crumhorn Mountain, Allen Nichols; September 8, Glimmerglass State Park, Eamonn Hinchey; September 22, Thayer Farm, Eamonn Hinchey; October 21, The Robert V. Riddell State Park, Trish and Steve Kent; and January 19, 2013, The Robert V. Riddell State Park, winter/snowshoe hike with the Kents. For a complete hike schedule, details and directions, visit http://occainfo.org/documents/NatureWalksposter2012.pdf or e-mail admin@occainfo.org.

OCCA's nature walk series kicked off in April with an afternoon walk in The Robert V. Riddell State Park followed by a hike in May at Basswood Pond State Forest. Other walks may be added and will be announced accordingly.

Otsego County's oldest environmental conservation organization, OCCA is a private, non-profit membership group dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and sustainable use of Otsego County's natural resources through education, advocacy, resource management, research, and planning. For more information on OCCA, or to donate, visit www.occainfo.org .