Skidmore to offer tour of its North Woods and service day for trail maintenance: The college to host events on Saturdays this month

Posted by Julia Leef

Two community activities will take place in the college's North Woods, a large tract of forested land located north of the main campus, consisting of a guided tour on Oct. 8 and a community service day to help with trail maintenance on Oct. 22.

The college campus is located on land that was formally known as Woodlawn prior to 1960, which contains mostly forested area with several estate homes, a large lawn and more than 20 miles of carriage trails more than a century old. North Woods is home to numerous native species, supporting a biologically diverse animal and plant population that is used in faculty and student research.

During the tour on Oct. 8, which will be led by Robert Jones, associate professor and chairman of economics, participants will learn about the cultural history of North Woods, following some of the area's historic carriage trails.

Those who are interested may attend an information session in Room 280 of Bolton Hall at 1 p.m on Oct. 8. The walk will begin at 1:30 p.m., starting from the Palamountain Hall lobby. In the event of rain, Jones will show a narrated video tour in Bolton 280 instead. This tour is free and open to the public. No registration is required.

According to a recent press release from the Office of Communications, the service day on Oct. 22 "will offer an opportunity for local residents, along with Skidmore students, faculty and staff, to work together on the trails to help with litter removal, erosion control and other maintenance."

Volunteers will meet at 10 a.m. at Falstaff's, dressed appropriately in long pants, boots and work gloves. Lunch will be provided around noon, and projects will continue into the afternoon. Those who are interested should register by Wednesday, Oct. 19 with Riley Neugebauer, sustainability coordinator, either at (518) 580-5865 or via email to rneugeba@skidmore.edu.