Event Details

Join BHA for a hands-on cleanup of the newly established Blue Hill State Forest in Yorkshire, NY.

The New York Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) invites all to participate in a hands-on Earth Day Weekend Cleanup of the newly established Blue Hill State Forest in Yorkshire, NY. The event will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, and marks one of the first opportunities for the public to engage with this newly protected landscape. As a group dedicated to public land stewardship, BHA sees this as a meaningful chance to give back to the land and help restore it as a community resource for outdoor recreation and wildlife habitat.

Formerly home to the Bluemont Ski Area, the Blue Hill parcel has a rich and rugged history. The ski area opened in1959 and was operated by Charles and Vera Hunt and their family as a small but beloved local hill. At its peak, Bluemont featured a T-bar lift, rope tows, and a rare side-loading chairlift. It served local families and winter sports enthusiasts until its closure in 1979. Since then, the area has slowly returned to a natural state, with ski-era remnants now overgrown and scattered throughout the property. When the New York State DEC acquired the 1200-acre parcel in 2024, it became part of the state forest system, ensuring permanent public access and paving the way for conservation efforts like this one.

The Earth Day cleanup will focus on removing litter, clearing old debris from former ski operations, and preparing trail corridors for future recreational use. Volunteers will help with trash collection, brush clearing, and identification of larger hazards that may require state follow-up. Participants will also learn about the importance of public lands, habitat conservation, and responsible outdoor ethics. BHA and NYDEC will provide supplies, safety briefings, and post-event refreshments, including a raffle and small gear giveaway as a thank-you to participants.

Further details, including exact meeting location, time, and equipment needs, will be provided as they become available.

Please RSVP by April 17th, 2026, to help us plan for a safe and impactful day of service. Let’s honor Earth Day and our Public Lands by working together to care for this historic and newly accessible piece of wild space.

RSYP: Earth Day Cleanup 2026 - Blue HIll State Forest, Yorkshire, NY - Sign Up To Event