On foot or by snowshoe

WARWICK — Orange County Land Trust will lead a winter hike - either on foot or snowshoe, depending on snow coverage - on Saturday, Feb. 9, beginning at 10 a.m. at Fuller Mountain Preserve, the Land Trust’s 255-acre nature preserve off Bowen Road in the Town of Warwick.

Led by Chris Kenyon, the trust’s director of conservation and stewardship, this moderate 1-3/4-mile trek will wind through a wooded ravine to vistas overlooking the Warwick Valley. This hike will include the identification of winter wildlife tracks, demonstration of a winter survival shelter and other knowledge and skills essential for surviving unexpected weather while hiking in winter.

Fuller Mountain
Along the way, hikers will be able to view the cairns, or stacked stone sculptures, placed on the preserve by local naturalists and artists. Several of these cairns are cantilevered and built into other natural formations; some are up to six feet in height.

These unique sculptures of balanced, native stone found at the preserve, create a beautiful, natural and artful landscape.

Fuller Mountain Preserve is owned and managed by the Orange County Land Trust and will remain a protected habitat for wildlife, accessible to the public for passive recreation and nature study. The Land Trust manages ten other nature preserves in Orange County, seven of which are accessible to the public and open, free of charge, every day from dawn to dusk.

Several, like Fuller Mountain Preserve, have trail side kiosks with information on the flora and fauna found on the preserve, as well as trail maps.

Since 1993, the Orange County Land Trust has helped protect 4,500 acres of land, including twelve working farms.

Essential information
Participants are encouraged to bring plenty of water and dress appropriately for the weather, including waterproof gloves.

To register, call the Land Trust at 845-469-0951 ext. 12 or e-mailing info@oclt.org.

A donation of $5 per person or $10 per family is suggested, with all proceeds benefitting the stewardship of the Land Trust’s conserved lands.

Cancellation will be recorded the morning of the event at 845-469-0951 ext. 12.

For more information, volunteer opportunities and ways of giving, visit www.oclt.org.