The moonlight, the Basha Kill, and you

Middletown — The Orange County Land Trust will host a walk under the full moon beginning at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, March 21, at the Lower Basha Kill Preserve in the Town of Deerpark. Led by Land Trust volunteer and naturalist Gary Keeton, the walk will focus on the social and natural history of the Basha Kill and its surrounding farm fields, wetlands, and woodlands. Set in the western region of the county, the 138-acre preserve flanks the Basha Kill River at the foot of the Shawangunk Ridge. The preserve is open to the public year round and offers hiking, bird watching and fishing. Many owls are known to inhabit this region, and participants may well experience the call back of a real live screech owl. The group will meet on Route 211 in Sullivan County just before the intersection of Route 209 in Cuddebackville (across from the Old Red Barn Auction Center). Dress warmly and bring a flashlight. In case of inclement weather, call the Land Trust office at 343-0840 ext. 12 for cancellation information. The Orange County Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to land preservation and land protection. Since its founding in 1993, the Land Trust has preserved over 3,000 acres of scenic and environmentally sensitive land and working farmland. For more information visit www.oclt.org.