CANTON – New recreational lands owned by the Androscoggin Land Trust and the town will be the focus of a community-wide cleanup effort at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

Individuals and groups of volunteers are encouraged to come out and be part of the 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 in cleaning up the trust’s most recent addition to the Canton Rivershore Conservation Area.

The Canton Rivershore Conservation Area contains more than 175 acres of wildlife habitat, including more than a mile of Androscoggin River frontage.

The town is preparing Federal Emergency Management Agency grant-acquired floodplain 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 natural beauty and habitat value.

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

The Auburn-based Androscoggin Land Trust is a membership-supported conservation group dedicated to protecting the important 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 trust’s Northern Service Area, which consists of Canton, Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls.

The land trust conserves 2,800 acres of land, including six miles of Androscoggin riverfront, from Jay in the north to Durham.