Sweetland Preserve Hikes for 2026 Spring Cleanup Hike: Saturday, May 16

This summer, NSSWNY will be conducting two cleanup hikes upstream in the South Branch of Cat-taraugus Creek to the Rodger Sweetland Preserve. On both of them, we will stage any trash we find dur-ing our hike upstream and then bag it for disposal on our return leg downstream. Bring water, lunch, felt-soled wading footwear or water shoes, gloves, and non-DDT insect repellent. Each hike will start at 10:00 AM from the Forty Road parking lot of the NYSDEC Zoar Valley Multiple Use Area. This hike is “moderate” lev-el; the route to and from the Sweetland Preserve is level but requires at least four stream crossings, up to thigh-deep and in cold water. The creek bottom can be very slippery, so a hiking staff is recommended. The complete route to and from Sweetland covers approximately four miles and usually takes four to five hours to complete.

For more information or to sign up, contact Sweetland Preserve Custodian Rod Utley at rutley081@gmail.com