Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is hosting a hike led by popular ADK naturalist Audrey Hyson, Saturday, August 17, 2019, on the Flying Squirrel Trail, between Westport and Essex. The “Mosses, Ferns & Fungi—Oh My!” hike will begin at 9:00 am at the trailhead parking lot for the Split Rock Trail on Lake Shore Road. The Flying Squirrel Trail is directly opposite the parking lot. The hike will be about 2 hours long.

Hyson plans an open-ended hike, with a focus on spore-bearing plants like ferns and mosses, but with the aim of “noticing the things that we usually don’t notice,” she says. “We’ll let the outdoors direct us to see what we can find.”

Hyson writes the “Everyday Naturalist” column for Adirondac magazine and is an experienced naturalist who loves to explore outdoors and to share her knowledge with others. She has been pursuing her fascination for natural history since childhood and is always seeking to gain a better understanding of the wild outdoors.

Class size is limited to 15 people. Registration is required and there is a $10 fee, with those under 18 free. Please visit champlanareatrails.com/our-events.

Champlain Area Trails (CATS) is a nonprofit organization that creates and maintains hiking and cross-country ski trails in the Champlain Valley, with the goal of linking communities, connecting people with nature and promoting economic vitality. CATS is also an accredited land trust working to conserve natural communities, farmland, clean water, and scenic vistas. Information on future CATS events and activities is available on the website at champlainareatrails.com and by following CATS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Please call (518) 962-2287 for more information.