Conservation Volunteering New York
Join local conservation efforts amidst New York's nature
Pollinator Meadow Volunteer Workday
Sun, Aug 23, 2:00 PMPollinator Meadow activities will focus on pathway installation and invasive species sweep and removal. Work is strenuous to moderate. Ages 12 to 15 are welcome with a parent or guardian present. Ages 15 and above require a signature by a parent or guardian on a [liability waiver](https://1drv.ms/b/c/d5fb9d3835660a78/IQCJO4IIj6GnQ6N4RuNC981xAYL2kFajs9_RL8f8V7NkhaM?e=5bd5oi); teenagers cannot just be dropped off. Please arrive 5 to 10 minutes early so we can start promptly at 10 am. Please dress appropriately! Wear long pants, long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes or rain boots. please no bug spray. Wear sunscreen and a hat. We supply tools. If you have gloves, bring them or you can borrow a pair from us. Bring your own water. You can download a copy of our [liability waiver](https://1drv.ms/b/c/d5fb9d3835660a78/IQCJO4IIj6GnQ6N4RuNC981xAYL2kFajs9_RL8f8V7NkhaM?e=5bd5oi) to print, sign and bring to the event. We occasionally use photos of events in promotional materials and social media. By attending the event, I consent to photos of me being used in promotional materials or on social media. For information, contact program coordinator Lori LaBorde at citizenscience@[somocon.org](http://somocon.org/) **Meet at the meadow after parking in Shady Nook Picnic Area.**
Film Festival Planning Mtg
Thu, Sep 3, 11:00 PM
First Mountain Ramble w/ Sharon ~6 miles
Sat, Aug 22, 12:00 PM**Saturday, August 22, 8:00 - 11:00am** First Mountain Ramble. 5 - 6 miles going at a moderate pace with moderate difficulty. Some ups and downs. **Meet**: Bramhall Terrace, Crest Drive off South Orange Ave. **Leader**: Sharon Salmon 973-715-5554 \*\*\* In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2026 online, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials. **BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.** **Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.** \# Arrival\, Weather\, & Cancellations Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. **Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will *not* be notified.** **Bring water. Wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional).** Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified. These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. **Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.** **To become a current member visit [[https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)]([https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)).**
Mitsuwa: Intermediate Volunteer Trip - 10 miles total
Sun, Aug 30, 12:30 PM*This trip is open to those who have volunteered in 2026 during our public embayments. Once the RSVP opens, you will be placed on a waitlist until the host reviews your volunteer status and to make sure you completed the qualifications below.* To attend you must have: 1. Volunteered 3+ 2026 public embayment shifts 1. Confidently completed a beginner trip with our boathouse 1. Attended 2 trainings in 2026 1. Finished the 1-mile time trial in under 19 minutes You will need to bring: * Water * Sunscreen/hat * Wallet if you plan to buy food * Whatever clothes + shoes for visiting Mitsuwa * Anything else you need for three hours paddling Craft: * Sit on top - not allowed * Sea Kayak - yes, see requirements * SUP - yes, requirements must be met with SUP * OC1/OC2 - Ke Aloha supporting paddlers with coach approval * Surfski - meet surfski-specific requirements **Trip Plan** 8:45am arrive at boathouse 9:00am cutoff to arrive 9:15am briefing 9:45am boats to water 10:00am depart HCCB 11:30am arrive Mitsuwa 1:00pm boats to water 1:15pm depart Mitsuwa 2:45pm arrive HCCB, clean up 3:30pm trip ends ***Currents and Tides*** *1027 max flood, 2.08 knots* *1316 slack* *1659 max ebb, -3.03 knots* *1018 high tide, +5.08* *1655 low tide, +0.39*
Hike with Dr. Kirk! 3-4 miles
Sat, Aug 29, 8:00 PM**Saturday, August 29 4-7pm** Free expert-led hike in South Mountain Reservation. Hike about 2-3 hours covering 3-4 miles at a modest pace over rocky trails with one long climb from the Rahway River up South Mountain. Focus on ecology and hydrology, led by Dr. Kirk Barrett, President of the Rahway Watershed Association and expert on local watershed issues. Good balance required. Children welcome. No dogs. Sponsered by South Mountain Conservancy and the Rahway River Watershed Association. Meet at Clipper Pavilion (Not by McLoone's) on Cherry Lane in West Orange. [Advance registration required via rahwayriver.org/calendar.html ](https://rahwayriver.org/calendar.html)Email president@rahwayriver.org with questions. Leader: Dr. Kirk Barrett, President of the Rahway River Watershed Association (RRWA) and expert on local watershed issues. Meet at: The gazebo by the dog park along Crest Drive in Maplewood. \*\*\* In registering for this or any other South Mountain Conservancy (SMC) programs in 2026 online, I hereby release and agree to hold the SMC, its volunteers, staff and Board of Trustees, harmless from and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act, in this SMC activity, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any other SMC activity. I understand that this release discharges the SMC from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives, may have against the SMC with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any SMC program. This liability waiver and release extends to the SMC along with Essex County and its staff and any other affiliated organization or SMC partner. I also understand that by signing below I approve the possible use of photos of me at this SMC event on social media or in promotional materials. **BY REGISTERING FOR THIS HIKE I attest I am in good health and attest that I: Am not experiencing any symptoms of illness such as cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell.** **Am following all CDC recommended guidelines, above, and limiting my exposure to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19.** \# Arrival\, Weather\, & Cancellations Please come to the starting point 10 minutes ahead of time so the hike can start promptly. Times are our best estimates; they can vary depending on conditions, and the size and pace of a group. If you have any questions, call the leader. **Temperatures above 90 degrees and steady rain cancels, but intermittent drizzle does not. You will *not* be notified.** **Bring water. Wear hiking boots, preferably waterproof with good soles and traction devices and bring poles (optional).** Dogs are not allowed on hikes unless specified. These hikes are publicized first to SMC members and then advertised to the public one week before a hike. There is a limit of 25 participants, so pre-registration is required at least two days before a hike to sign the liability waiver online and allow lists to be sent to hike leaders. If you have registered and then find you cannot attend, please cancel your order online. **Repeated no shows without prior cancellation will result in removal from list.** **To become a current member visit [[https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)]([https://www.somocon.org/membership/](https://www.somocon.org/membership/)).**
Expedition: Kilimanjaro Climb for Charity
Mon, Sep 7, 11:00 AM**Expedition: Kilimanjaro Charity Climb** **Dates: September 7th – September 14th, 2026** For the serious mountaineer, Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft) serves as the ultimate high-altitude laboratory. The Mountaineering Club of New York is partnering with Jumbo Earth Travel to offer this 7-day expedition via the Marangu route—specifically chosen as a controlled, relatively safe environment to test your body’s response to extreme altitude. Whether you are looking to break the 19,000-foot barrier for the first time or are using this as a critical training milestone for technical objectives like Denali or the Himalayas, this climb provides the essential "thin air" exposure needed to build your high-altitude resume. **The Mission: Climbing for Conservation** Mount Kilimanjaro is the "Water Tower" of East Africa, but the wildlife in the plains below is facing an unprecedented drought crisis. To support the protection of these ecosystems, **50% of all expedition profits will be donated to HydraNest.** **[HydraNest](https://hydranest.org/)**[ ](https://hydranest.org/)is a non-profit dedicated to mitigating the impact of drought on Sub-Saharan wildlife through innovative, biomimetic water reservoirs. By joining this climb, you are directly funding the installation of sustainable, off-grid water sources that keep wildlife corridors hydrated and safe. **The Objective: Marangu Route** The Marangu route was specifically chosen by MCNY for its logistical advantages in a high-altitude training environment: * **Optimized Recovery:** Unlike tent-based routes, Marangu utilizes a permanent hut system. For the mountaineer, this means superior thermal regulation and better rest. * **Technical Preparation:** This trek is the gold standard for learning how your body handles "thin air" before committing to technical environments like Denali or the Himalayas. * **Professional Support:** Jumbo Earth Travel provides professional local guides and porters, allowing you to focus entirely on pacing and acclimatization. **Exclusive MCNY Group Pricing** We have negotiated an exceptional discount with Jumbo Earth Travel to make this conservation mission accessible to our community. * **MCNY Member Rate\*:** $1,900 (per person) * **Non-Member Rate:** $3,000 (per person) Registration Fee: A $100 club registration fee is required to secure your slot. This fee is included in the pricing shown above. You'll be asked to pay the balance after the group size is finalized \*Memberships start at just $25/year. If you are not a member, join today by [registering on our club website!](https://nymountaineers.org/become-a-member) **What is Included:** * **Accommodations:** Full 7-day expedition logistics, plus hotel stays immediately before and after the climb. * **Mountain Meals:** All meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are **fully provided** while on the mountain. * **Note on Hotel Dining:** While your room is covered, meals at the hotel basecamp are available for purchase but are not included in the expedition price. **Gear & Preparation** * **Training:** MCNY will organize a series of local training hikes to prepare the team for the "Roof of Africa." * **Gear Rental:** Essential high-altitude gear is available for rent through our partners in Tanzania. * **Safari Extension:** Discounted safari add-ons can be arranged through Jumbo Earth Travel. **Cancellation and Refund Policy** To ensure we can guarantee our commitments to our guides and the HydraNest donation, the following policy applies: * **Registration Fee:** The $100 club registration fee is **non-refundable** upon payment. * **Expedition Balance:** **Before August 7th, 2026:** 100% of the expedition balance (excluding the registration fee) is fully refundable. **On or After August 7th, 2026:** All payments are final and **non-refundable** due to fixed logistical commitments in Tanzania. Ready to advance your mountaineering career? RSVP to join the roster. Detailed itinerary, gear lists, and payment instructions will follow.
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