Join Georges River Land Trust for a guided group hike along the trails of the Appleton Preserve on Saturday, April 18. Hikers should meet at the trailhead at 10 a.m. The hike will cover about 2.5 miles of trails, with portions of uneven ground. Planning for wet and muddy conditions by wearing boots may be helpful, according to GRLT, in a news release.

Appleton Preserve was purchased by Georges River Land Trust in 2006 for its critical wildlife habitat, sensitive wetlands, proximity to the Saint George River, and historic significance. The preserve contains a 700-meter section of the Georges River Canal, a waterway that was created in the 1800s to bring supplies upriver. Today, trail users can see a large berm in the woods that was at one point part of the canal. The preserve is home to an active beaver population and is visited in spring and summer by migratory songbirds.

Registration is recommended. Visit georgesriver.org/events to learn more and sign up. This walk is open to all ages.

Georges River Land Trust offers guided group hikes year-round, exploring their 23 nature preserves from Montville to Cushing. The land trust also offers recreation opportunities like group paddles and educational events about vernal pools, animal tracking, birds, and more. Visit georgesriver.org to learn more.

Directions: The trailhead for Appleton Preserve is located at 265 Camden Rd in Appleton. Parking is available in the lot – please be sure not to block the neighbor’s driveway.

Georges River Land Trust has been conserving and caring for the St. George River watershed since 1987. The land trust has conserved over 5,400 acres of forest, farm, and shoreline, and provides over 80 miles of public trails in 19 towns from Cushing to Liberty. This conservation work is supported by over 1,000 community members. Visit georgesriver.org to join the community and learn more.