Mark your calendars! On Saturday, June 2 you are invited to celebrate Champlain Area Trails (CATS) between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM at Blockhouse Farm in Essex, New York. Discover what the CATS crew has been up to over the last year and join us on the adventure ahead. Brian Mann, inspiring commentator for Adirondack Life, Adirondack Explorer and North Country Public Radio, will address matters local, environmental and outdoorsy. Don't miss out!

I am confident that the usual blanket of snow will arrive just a little bit later than expected this year... [so] even if we have springlike conditions in January, we'll find a way to get outside and play.

[Originaly published in the Adirondack Almanack on February 6, 2012.]

An independent field biology study turned out to be especially fruitful for both teacher and student. Every week since January 2011, Westport ninth-grader Peter Hartwell and mentor David Thomas Train have been exploring the Champlain Area Trails along shoreline, streams, wetlands, and woods near Westport. Those explorations eventually prompted them to enter the Champlain Area Trails Society Travel Writing Contest.

Two youngsters hike up the Cheney Mountain Trail in Moriah (photo by Elizabeth Lee)

If you would like to download the 2011 CATS Annual Report, please click on the link below. You will be prompted to save the PDF file to your computer to read, save or print. Thank you.

You Are Invited to Celebrate
Champlain Area Trails
Featuring Bill McKibben

Join Champlain Area Trails (CATS) in celebrating National Trails Day with acclaimed author, educator and environmentalist Bill McKibben.

Date: Saturday, June 4, 2011, 4-6 pm
Location: 2916 Lakeshore Rd (Rt 22), Essex, New York
Schedule: 4-5 pm Bill McKibben presentation (a children's nature hike will take place during the speaker); 5-6 pm Reception (food and drinks)
Cost: Before June 1: $15/person, $30/family. After June 1: $20/person, $40/family. (Note: Children are free!)
RSVP: Send a check (including name and telephone number) to: CATS, PO Box 193, Westport, NY 12993
Questions: Contact us online or call 962-2287.

Three young hikers enjoy the view from the Wildway Overlook Trail.
(Photo by Betsy Bacot-Aigner)

[Originaly published in the Valley News on May 29, 2010.]

View from South Boquet Mountain. (Photo: Dennis Aprill)

[Originaly published in the Press Republican on May 2, 2010.]

Image via spacefellowship.com