By Scott Brinton
A vandal had ripped open two large leaf bags full of trash and strewn the garbage across the path, which winds around the old reservoir, now a pond. On a tall oak tree beside the path, presumably the same vandal had spray-painted a message in red: "F--k nature."
Young was touring the woodlands to check their condition in preparation for a major volunteer cleanup that he and the Unprotected Woodlands Task Force plan for Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon.
"As you can see, not much has changed," said Young.
Three years ago, the activist led a campaign to restore the woodlands off the Meadowbrook Parkway and preserve them for generations to come. More than 500 people took part in three cleanups of the forests. Late last year, the Unprotected Woodlands Task Force, which comprises 11 government agencies, issued its draft management plan to protect the forests. The task force is expected to announce its final management plan in the coming weeks, possibly at a news conference the day before the cleanup.
Nassau County Legislators David Denenberg, a Democrat of Merrick, and Norma Gonsalves, a Republican of East Meadow, created the task force. The premise behind the management plan is to cut off illegal uses of the woodlands, such as ATV riding and drug parties, and make the forests safe for recreational activities such as hiking, mountain-biking, cross-country skiing, fishing and bird watching.
Having the government commit to managing the woodlands is a dream realized for Young, who served as a citizen adviser to the task force for more than two years. But Young believes that average people must stay involved in protecting the forests. To that end, he continues to help organize cleanups of the woods.
The upcoming cleanup, sponsored by the Unprotected Woodlands Task Force, will take place at three sites: the reservoir, Muellner's Pond in North Merrick and the Roosevelt Preserve.
The task force receives major support from New York state Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr., a Republican of Merrick, and Assemblyman David McDonough, a Republican of North Merrick. The group, which is sponsoring the upcoming cleanup, will provide bus transportation from the Merrick train station to the sites.
Among the local groups taking part in the event will be the America the Beautiful Campaign and the Long Island Greenbelt Trail Conference. Volunteers should wear long-sleeved clothes and sturdy boots or sneakers. The state and county are insuring the event. Anyone is welcome to lend a hand.
Young noted that another local newspaper had incorrectly listed the day and date of the cleanup in a story last week. He reiterated that the event would take place Saturday, April 16.
Comments about this story? SBrinton@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 203.
