May 18, 2013 for Spring Slabsides Day

Slabsides opens for guided tours 11am-4pm. Speaker Matthew Shipkey presents the shared vision of Scenic Hudson and the John Burroughs Association regarding "The Black Creek/Burroughs Trails Network." Matthew reviews the importance of this recreational corridor along Black Creek, and how the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is an important component for increasing tourism and ensuring land preservation. Bring a picnic lunch, hike, tour, or just relax. Light refreshments are served, and as always, there is no fee and no reservations are required.

Scheduile:

Directions:
Slabsides and the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary are located on Burroughs Drive at Floyd Ackert Road in West Park, NY; just 90 miles north of New York City and ten miles south of Kingston.

From I-87, exit 18, New Paltz, go east on Rte 299, then left on Rte. 9-W for 3.7 miles. Turn left on Floyd Ackert Road, at the Global Palate Restaurant. Go 0.8 mile to left on Burroughs Drive. Park along Burroughs Drive and walk to the green gate entrance to Slabsides (.03 mile from Floyd Ackert Road). Follow the gravel road to Slabsides.
Click here for a Map.

The John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary is open without charge to walkers every day all year. Slabsides cabin opens for tours for schools and groups by pre-arrangement.

The Grand Opening of New Trails at John Burroughs' Slabsides

Please join us at noon on Saturday, October, 6, 2012 for the grand opening of new trails at Slabsides and the John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary in West Park, NY. Meet at Slabsides (follow the signs west from 9W at Floyd Ackert Road to Burroughs Drive). Burroughs' cabin, Slabsides, will be open 11-4pm for tours.

Prior to the ribbon cutting, there will be a brief program at 12 noon featuring Edward Kanze, an accomplished naturalist, Adirondack guide and author of "The World of John Burroughs." His talk, titled "Meeting John Burroughs Deep in the Woods," will be the perfect introduction to the new trails.

The 200-acre John Burroughs Nature Sanctuary features dramatic cliffs, dense hemlock forest, fern valleys, vernal pools, waterfalls and four miles of trails winding through the landscape that inspired the writings of literary naturalist Burroughs. This is where John Burroughs built his rustic cabin Slabsides, a National Historic Landmark and a Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area site.

The expansion and restoration of the trails was funded in part by a Federal Recreational Trails Program grant administered by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. The new trails were designed by Eddie Walsh, Tahawus Trails, LLC and built by the generosity of hundreds of volunteers.

The free event includes live music, hikes guided by author Kanze, and refreshments. Rain or shine. Please bring your family and friends, and carpool where possible as parking is limited.

Information 845-214-2384

Additional Activities:

May 19, 2012 for Spring Slabsides Day

Speaker: Dan Payne, "John Burroughs: Conservationist"

Dan Payne is an associate professor of English at SUNY Oneonta, and has directed four of the "Sharp Eyes" conferences on John Burroughs and nature writing. He has published three books: Voices in the Wilderness: American Nature Writing and Environmental Politics; The Palgrave Environmental Reader (co-edited with R. Newman); and Writing the Land: John Burroughs and His Influence, which is a collection of essays from the "Sharp Eyes" conference. In May 2012 Dan received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching.

October 1, 2011: Fall Slabsides Day

About 30 adventurous folks ignored the clouds and gathered in the forest for our Semi-annual open house at "Slabsides," John Burroughs's rustic cabin in West Park, New York. Visitors were treated to an inside look at the cozy two story accommodations. Dan Payne was unable to join us due to a family emmergency so Jeff Walker stepped in with a discussion of John Burroughs' role in conservation in America, reflecting on the influence of a quiet, reflective, reasoned dialog on our relationship with nature. In particular the nature of the dialog and relationship between Burroughs and Teddy Roosevelt, both on a journey to Yellowstone and Slabsides. Professor Walker shared the stories of the visits as told by Burroughs, and other family members. Thou they both had very different demnors and life stlyes, they shared a deep commitment to conservation and a desire to explore and understand nature.

After the presentation the conversation continued among those present during a little bit of trail work and renewed exploration of Slabsides and the surrounding forest with a deepened understanding of the history and people who have walked these steps and trails before us.

Photos by Jay Holmes. Sorry for so many photos of the Brown-hooded Owlet caterpillar (Cucullia convexipennis) but the colors and the ant and the drops of water on it were so facinating. I eventually pulled myself away.


Spring Slabsides Day 2011 was Beautiful!
View the slide show

Here are a few recent events:
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Other Events and Notices:
Woodchuck Lodge Inc.
Roxbury, NY
Click here for more details and other events

John Burroughs Natural History Society
Woodstock, NY
http://www.jbnhs.org/
Visit the JBNHS site to learn about their many wonderful naturalist/birding fieldtrips.