Friends of Sterling Forest announce programs for July

STERLING FOREST —The Friends of Sterling Forest is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization established to protect and preserve the great legacy of natural resources and historical treasures within Sterling Forest State Park.
Its events are open to the public and free of charge; donations, however, are accepted to assist us in fulfilling our mission. All events will originate at the Lautenberg Visitor Center unless otherwise noted:
Sunday, July 9, noon: Meet ‘n’ GreetCome to the Friends of Sterling Forest monthly meeting at the Lautenberg Visitor Center. Find out what you can do to help protect and preserve your Park. Bring your lunch. Coffee, tea and cookies will be provided.
Sunday, July 9, 1 p.m.: Lecture: Snakes in the Park Doc Bayne, naturalist and educator, will talk about the snakes that live in Sterling Forest and its environs. Come and learn about these misunderstood and often maligned reptiles.
Sunday, July 16, 1 p.m.: Hike: Hutchinson Multi-Use Trail Join Sona Mason, New York West Hudson Program coordinator for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference and members of the F.S.F. for a moderately-paced three-plus mile hike on Sterling Forest’s newest trail. We will leave cars at each end of the trail, so please be prepared to carpool with other hikers. Wear sturdy shoes/hiking boots; bring water and a snack.
Sunday, July 23, 1 p.m.: Lecture: Climate Change in the Lower Hudson Valley What is climate change and how will it challenge us? What are the signs that climate change is occurring in the lower Hudson Valley?
Dr. Charles P. Holmes, local resident and former program officer at NASA, will explain what we need to know and do so that we bequeath a livable world to our children and grandchildren.
Sunday, July 30, 1 p.m.: Hike: Mines of Sterling ForestExplore some of the mines located in Sterling Forest State Park with local historian and iron mining expert Doc Bayne. This will be a moderate three-mile hike with ups and downs on a mountainous trail. Wear hiking boots/sturdy shoes and bring water and a snack.
Meet at the Pine Meadow Trailhead Parking Lot on Long Meadow Road. The lot is across the road from the Tuxedo Mulch Pile. A member of the F.S.F. will be standing on the side of road to direct you to the parking area.
Sterling Mines are “off limits” to the public unless you are on an authorized guided hike, so be sure to take advantage of this special opportunity.
Registration is required for all programs.
For more information or to register, call 845-351-5907.