Through the New York State Department of Transportation’s Adopt-A-Highway Program, Morgan Duke Conservation Society has adopted State Route 52 in Walden from in front of Dollar General to before the intersection at Berea Rd.

Morgan Duke Conservation Society collaborates with many state and national parks across the country and has numerous Volunteer Stewardship Agreements with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to protect state lands’ environment and natural resources.

James Sullivan, president of the Morgan Duke Conservation Society, said when he was walking up the road past the Wallkill Valley Cemetery after the snow melted this year, he was shocked to see a large amount of trash, including pocket-sized vodka bottles, soda cans rolling into residents’ yards, and fast-food bags. Throwing trash from a vehicle is not only unlawful but also harmful to wildlife, as it increases the risk of disease, causes malnutrition in wildlife, and attracts more animals such as deer and bears to the neighborhood.

The Society will announce planned public community clean up events on morganduke.ngo and on its Facebook page throughout the year. In addition, the Society is looking for a place where volunteers can sign in and park their cars at every event, and if a business would like to partner and donate their parking lot for every clean-up, please email James Sullivan at Jsullivan@morgandukecs.ngo. Typically, public cleanup programs will occur on Saturdays or Sundays.

Small tax-deductible donations can be made by anyone, including small businesses, to the Morgan Duke Conservation Society. Anyone is welcome to donate on our Hudson Valley Gives page, or donations can be made 24/7 on their website, morganduke.ngo. Donations can also be sent to Morgan Duke Conservation Society PO BOX 632 Walden, NY 12586.