Submitted Photo On Saturday morning, May 7, area residents can wear an orange vest and join volunteers to be part of Audubon Community Nature Center’s Spring Roadside Cleanup.

The Audubon Community Nature Center will host its annual spring roadside cleanup from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 7, along Route 62.

Individuals, families, businesses, and community organizations are welcome to participate in this event. A light lunch is provided afterwards.

The roadside cleanup is a way for businesses and community groups to volunteer and families to teach their middle school and older children the value of volunteering and taking care of the environment. Children and youth ages 12 to 18 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult; details are included in the registration.

Participants are reminded to wear closed-toed shoes and dress for the weather. Those volunteering can bring their own gloves if available, and Audubon has some to lend. Bringing water bottles and snacks is recommended.

Volunteers can view Nature Center exhibits, visit with Liberty the Bald Eagle, or hike the trails after their work is done.

It helps with planning to make reservations by calling 716-569-2345 during business hours or clicking through “Upcoming Programs” at AudubonCNC.org. The cleanup event takes place rain or shine, but will be rescheduled in the case of thunder and lightning.

ACNC’s 2022 Volunteer Program is sponsored by Univera Healthcare.

Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Dawn to dusk daily use six miles of trails and outdoor Nature Play Area and view Liberty, Audubon’s non-releasable Bald Eagle, all for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2021 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members.

To learn more about Audubon and its many programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Face coverings are optional while visiting inside the Nature Center building. Those who have been recently exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, wearing a face covering is encouraged.