Tom Walsh, a 65-year-old hiker and cancer survivor, is planning to walk to all 20 state forests in Otsego County as well as five Otsego Land Trust conservation areas on a continuous thru-hike that will cover more than 200 miles. Starting from his home in Worcester, NY on or about June 1, the hike will take him through all 24 Otsego County towns.
He is using the hike to raise funds for and awareness about Otsego Outdoors and the Hannah-Lee House. The Hannah-Lee House in Cooperstown, NY serves as a home away from home for patients or family members with a loved one receiving care at Bassett Medical Center, the Bassett Clinic, and the Louis Busch Hager Cancer Center, which houses the Bassett Cancer Institute.
Otsego Outdoors connects people with year-round recreational opportunities and offers seasonal Otsego Octet challenges. It is a joint program of Otsego 2000, the Otsego Land Trust, Otsego Country Conservation Association, and Butternut Valley Alliance.
Walsh’s goal is to raise $5,000, which will be split evenly between the Hannah-Lee House and Otsego Outdoors. People can pledge per forest/conservation area or can make a donation online.
Starting in Worcester, Walsh will walk to Decatur State Forest, Maple Valley State Forest, R. Milton Hick Memorial State Forest, Bear Swamp State Forest, Honey Hill State Forest, Cherry Valley State Forest, Lordsland Preserve, Roseboom State Forest, Compton Bridge Conservation Area, Greenough Road Conservation Area, Parslow Road Conservation Area, Fetterley Forest Conservation Area, Exeter State Forest, Plainfield State Forest, Basswood Pond State Forest, Hartwick State Forest, Texas Schoolhouse State Forest, Calhoun Creek State Forest, Wagner Farm State Forest, General Jacob Morris State Forest, Arnold Lake State Forest, Milford State Forest, Susquehanna State Forest, Hooker Mountain State Forest, South Hill State Forest, and then back to Worcester.
The Otsego Land Trust owns and manages 559 acres of land in Otsego County that are open for public recreation and enjoyment, in addition to the more than 11,000 acres it protects in perpetuity on private land. The Otsego County Conservation Association and the Butternut Valley Alliance both work with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to create and maintain trails at five state forests. The Otsego Outdoors Octet challenges feature local state forests, Otsego Land Trust conservation areas, and other publicly accessible trails, paddles, and bike routes.
This is Walsh’s fourth charity hike. Last year he hiked to all state parks and state forests in Otsego County and raised funds for the Bassett Cancer Institute and Otsego Outdoors. Updates on Walsh’s progress will be posted on otsegooutdoors.org and the Otsego Outdoors Facebook page.
Photo of Tom Walsh provided.
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