CANTON – New recreational lands owned by the Androscoggin Land Trust and the town of Canton will be the focus of a community clean-up effort at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Individuals and groups of volunteers are encouraged to be part of the joint project that will give Canton and surrounding communities access to all-season recreational trails and natural space.

Canton area ATV and snowmobile clubs will be among those assisting the trust in cleaning up its most recent addition to the Canton Rivershore Conservation Area. The site is in need of some care and maintenance, including trash removal and clearing a walking trail.

The area contains more than 175 acres of wildlife habitat, including more than a mile of Androscoggin River frontage.

The town of Canton is preparing Federal Emergency Management Agency grant-acquired flood plain lands for development of multi-use trails and other public recreational opportunities.

The first trail section will be established along Whitney Brook. Volunteers are needed to help clean up the area, a first step toward restoring its beauty and habitat value.

The trust originally planned the event for April 21, but postponed it due to inclement weather. The event was rescheduled for National Trails Day to include a partnership with Canton, which is in the process of relocating its downtown with the help of a FEMA grant. The town may continue its clean-up event on Saturday, June 9, if necessary, to complete the work.

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

The Canton Rivershore Conservation Area is one of seven conserved properties in the northern service area, which consists of Canton, Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls. The trust conserves 2,800 acres of land, including six miles of riverfront along the Androscoggin River, from Jay in the north to Durham in the south. Visit www.androscogginlandtrust.org for more information.

To volunteer, meet at the intersection of Cross Street and Route 140. Park in the lot of the old municipal building. For more information, call Michael Auger, trust director of land protection and stewardship, at 782-2302 or call Sue Gammon at 753-9400, ext. 404.