, in honor of Earth Day. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are needed to help with the effort, said Merokean Bob Young, who is chairman of the America the Beautiful l campaign of Nassau County.
Young said the task force will not clean up in any state-owned woodlands along the Meadowbrook, because thus far, the state Department of Parks has refused to sign a memo of understanding that would protect and preserve the woodlands over the long term.
Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, a Democrat from Merrick, and Norma Gonsalves, a Republican from East Meadow, head the Unprotected Woodlands Task Force. Last year, Young and other civic and environmental activists refused to clean up the woodlands in protest of the state's lack of action on the MOU.
This year's cleanup will include sites at the Freeport Reservoir (Commercial Street and Lakeview Avenue) and at the Roosevelt County Preserve (Elizabeth Street and Prospect Avenue). Nassau County and Long Island State parks department staff members and task force volunteers will be on hand at each site.
Gloves, bags and other materials will be provided. Dress appropriately, with long-sleeve shirts and pants. Bring water, a hat and gloves, if you wish to use your own. Qualified representatives will be available to sign off on community-service paperwork for students and scouts.
