News: Upcoming Trail & Park Events in New York

February is the time for budget and program advocacy in Albany and there are a number of awareness and lobby days that are scheduled to support various environmental and recreational programs.  There are also a number of activities, meetings and workshops coming up, all of which are focusing on some really cool and interesting things that are happening in the region.

• The Trail Conference's 2014 Winter Meeting is this Saturday in NYC.  It will feature hikes in parks throughout the City, workshops on trail building and access issues in Harriman State Park and a lunch with keynote speaker Commissioner Rose Harvey from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.
• The Hudson River Valley's Eagle Fest (hosted by Teatown Reservation) is being held this Saturday at Croton Point on the Hudson River.
• The Hudson Fjord Trail is starting to take shape and there will be a Master Plan scoping session on February 12th.  The Fjord Trail is proposed to connect the Villages of Cold Spring and Beacon along the Hudson River and connect to the multitude of hiking trails ascending into the Highlands, including the very popular Breakneck Ridge Trail.
• The Lobby Day for the Environmental Protection Fund is Wednesday, February 12 in Albany.  The public is welcome, but you must pre-register for the event.
• The 2nd Annual Catskill Park Awareness Day will be Tuesday, February 25th in Albany.
• The New York State Parks Advocacy Day is Wednesday, February 26th in Albany.  This is a great opportunity to meet legislators and tell them just how important parks are to you and why they should support them.  Pre-registration is required.
• And don't forget to mark your calendars for National Trails Day 2014.  This year, National Trails Day will be on Saturday, June 7th.  There are already a number of events taking shape in the New York area including a Trail opening in the Catskills and an outdoor festival at Bear Mountain State Park.  Stay tuned for more details.