Mohonk Preserve Selected as 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight Site
The Leave No Trace organization has selected Mohonk Preserve as a 2023 Spotlight site, a new initiative from Leave No Trace that shines a light on communities rising to meet environmental challenges with multiday onsite education and stewardship programs. The diverse sites chosen in 2023 span the country, and the goal of the initiative is to equip each spotlight area with relevant Leave No Trace tools that address the impacts the site is facing and foster healthy lands and people.
From Friday, July 28 to Sunday, July 30, 2023, a Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team will be onsite at Mohonk Preserve to work with the community and local partners to deliver Leave No Trace education and partner on restoration and stewardship projects. The below programs are free and open to the public.
Schedule of Events:
Friday, July 28
Leave No Trace Trivia/Outreach and Coffee with a Ranger
at the West Trapps Trailhead Welcome Boulder
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 29
Family Stewardship Project with Native Plants
at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead (drop-in program)
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Introduction to General Trail Maintenance
meet at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead, the project site is a 4 mile drive to the Campground Connector Trail (registration required)
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Leave No Trace Community Pop-Up
at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday, July 30
Spotlight Social
Featuring Mohonk Preserve staff, Community Partners and the Leave No Trace team
at the Testimonial Gateway Trailhead
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
In addition to the weekend public programs, the Leave No Trace team will participate in a Low-Impact Climbing and Leave No Trace campfire discussion at the Samuel F. Pryor III Shawangunk Gateway Campground and lead two communications and planning programs for Preserve staff and volunteers.
“As a Leave No Trace Community Partner, we look forward to welcoming the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Team to Mohonk Preserve,” said Preserve Director of Visitor Experience and Chief Ranger Andrew Bajardi. “We have long been incorporating Leave No Trace principles and practices into our work across the Preserve and are excited to share them with our local community and partners.”
Leave No Trace
Using the power of science and research, education for all, and stewardship to support and protect nature, Leave No Trace is on a mission to ensure a sustainable future for the outdoors and the planet. The Spotlight program is the newest education offering from Leave No Trace. Additional support for the 2023 Spotlights comes from the Airbnb Community Fund. Learn more at: www.LNT.org.
Banner photo by Gerald Berliner