GREENE – Sophomores from Leavitt Area High School in Turner will celebrate Earth Day early by helping the Androscoggin Land Trust clean up its Hooper Pond Preserve on Friday, April 13.

The stewardship day, to be held in cooperation with the Greene Conservation Commission, will focus on efforts to maintain trails, control invasive species and remove trash from the 195-acre preserve.

“As a regional land trust, ALT has the responsibility to engage the larger community in efforts to protect our natural resources. This partnership with a local high school is an example of that, and we are happy to be collaborating with Leavitt,” said Jonathan LaBonte, trust president.

A portion of the pond’s western shore, owned and managed by the town of Greene, was once a public landfill. The trust owns the remainder of the conservation area, consisting of wetlands and an upland forest along Hooper Pond and Hooper Brook.

The Maine Department of Conservation identified the area as being of statewide ecological importance due to its exemplary pond and stream shore vegetation and high-quality wildlife habitat. Through a successful Land for Maine’s Future grant application, as well as a capital campaign, the trust was able to purchase and permanently protect this area.

Forty to 60 students are expected to be part of the team on hand as part of the trust’s plan to expand educational outreach and stewardship opportunities in communities, especially with local schools.

“This is an opportunity for the school and the sophomore class to give back to the community and to make a difference,” said Wendy Harvey, assistant principal at Leavitt Area High School.

“Hooper Pond is one of those special places in the region, and successful stewardship of this place requires volunteers like we expect to have that day. We are pleased that the town of Greene and Leavitt Area High School are committed to this work,” said Michael Auger, director of land protection and stewardship for the trust.

The trust, based in Auburn, is a membership-supported conservation organization dedicated to protecting the important natural areas, traditional landscapes and outdoor experience along the central Androscoggin River corridor.

The town of Greene and the Hooper Pond Preserve are part of the trust’s central service area consisting of Hebron, Buckfield, Turner, Leeds and Greene. It conserves more than 2,800 acres of land, including six miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River. Visit www.androscogginlandtrust. org for more information.