First Posted: 9/10/2014

THIS WEEK: Sept. 17 to 23, 2014

Mom’s Morning Out, an early kayak paddle along the lake edge to observe plants and wildlife. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17. 570-696-3525.

Cranberry Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour exploration of the northern boreal bog with novel plant and animal life. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 12. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Fall Astronomy Sessions, an illustrated lecture followed by weather-permitted telescope observation of the moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Thomas G. Cupillari Astronomical Observatory, Keystone College, La Plume. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays through Nov. 14. Free. 570-945-8402.

Adult Nature Weekend, with interpretive hikes, canoeing, bird walks, art classes, waterfall tours, animal presenters, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Friday, Sept. 19 to Sunday, Sept. 21. $195 includes lodging and six meals. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Pro Series: Fall Warblers, an in-depth look at the migrating fall warbler species with biology professor Terry Master. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 20. $20. 570-828-2319.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. Free. 570-675-9900.

Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the annual 5K run and fitness walk to raise awareness of breast cancer. Lackawanna Courthouse Square, downtown Scranton. 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. 570-714-8800.

Tree Identification, with environmental education coordinator Roger Spotts. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. $5. 570-629-3061.

Lakeshore Trail Walk, an easy hike with the park naturalist to observe wildlife, plants and migrating birds. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. 570-696-3525.

Autumnal Equinox, a celebration of fall with a wildflower walk, picking fresh vegetables from the garden and grilling them while watching the full moon rise. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. $5. Donation. 570-967-7275.

Light the Night Walk, a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. PNC Field, 235 Montage Mountain Road, Moosic. Saturday, Sept. 20 with registration at 4:30 p.m. and walk at 6:30 p.m. 610-266-8512 or lightthenight.org/epa.

Star Party, tips on using a telescope, then moving to the field to read the night sky. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. $5. 570-967-7275.

The Pinnacle Hike, nine difficult miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Bring lunch and water. 570-645-9617.

Park History Tour, an exploration of the Delaware Valley Recreation Area to seek out scenic and historic sites. Bring lunch and a camera. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. $15. Call to reserve a seat in the van. 570-828-2319.

Sunday Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour journey into the bog environment. Meet at the parking lot of the Tannersville Cranberry Bog, 166 Cherry Lane Road. 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. $2. 570-828-2319.

Bears, Bears, Bears, an afternoon of ursine activities including a talk on “Bears in Our Backyards,” replica bear skulls, bear rugs, a hike to discuss bear signs and safety, bear traps and bear crafts for children. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. 570-836-3835.

Wildflower Identification, with botanist Bill Olson. Keystone College Environmental Education Institute, One College Green, La Plume. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. $15; $5 students. Registration: 570-945-8555 or kceei.keystone.edu.

Trees: A Nature Walk, a hike guided by forester Hank Hartman to learn tree identification and some of the environmental challenges that threaten them. Forence Shelly Wetlands Preserve, Route 171 and Stack Road, Thompson. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 21. Free. 570-727-3362.

FUTURE

Salamander Safari, a walk with naturalist Rick Koval to seek out some of the 22 species of salamanders in Pennsylvania. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Bear Creek Preserve Hike, a difficult five-mile walk to learn about the area’s history and natural life. Meet at the parking lot, five miles north of Blakeslee on Route 115. 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 25. Free. 570-403-2006.

National Public Lands Day Park Cleanup, including trail trimming, litter pickup, landscaping and more. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Nature Photography, a two-day workshop with professional photographer Timothy Butler. Keystone College Environmental Education Institute, One College Green, La Plume. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sept. 27 and Oct. 11. $50; $25 students. Registration: 570-945-8555 or kceei.keystone.edu.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. 570-542-5948.

Mushroom Fair, with the Wyoming Valley Mushroom Club. View mushroom specimens, bring your own in for identification and take a short mushroom foray. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. 570-696-3525.

Levee Walk, six easy miles. Meet at the Church Street parking lot, Kingston. 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Bring water and a snack. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-388-6553.

Sunday for Singles. Explore nature while meeting new people. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Free. 570-828-2319.

All About Birds for Beginners, a fun, hands-on introduction to the characteristics of birds for age 8 to adult. Bear Creek Camp Nature Center, 3601 Bear Creek Blvd. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. $10. Registration: 570-696-5545.

Y Cycle Sunday, a four-mile bike ride on the Pittston Trail to the site of the Knox Mine Disaster. Meet at the Pittston trailhead behind Cooper’s Seafood, 304 Kennedy Blvd. 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. 570-714-1953.

Wilderness Skills Hike, with Mike Dennis of Traditional Earth Skills who teaches useful survival skills including firemaking and building a shelter. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. $20. All ages. 570-828-2319.

Wild Edible Plant Walk, with herbalist and forager Nathaniel Whitmore. Lackawanna Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Raccoon Ridge Field Trip, to a spectacular mountaintop lookout along the Appalachian Trail in New Jersey guided by environmental educator Brian Hardiman. Includes a strenuous uphill 1.5-mile hike. Meet at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 2. $24. Registration: 570-629-3060.

Fall Photography Weekend, learning about visual design, composition, exposure and more while exploring and capturing the beauty of the fall season. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Begins Friday, Oct. 3 and runs through midday Sunday, Oct. 5. $260 includes lodging and meals. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Fishes of NEPA. Splash around with biologist Jerry Skinner and use seines, dip nets and electrofishing to view identify and learn about common, overlooked and endangered fish and their habitats. Keystone College Environmental Education Institute, One College Green, La Plume. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. $40; $20 students includes lunch. Registration: 570-945-8555 or kceei.keystone.edu.

All About Apples, displays, stories and artifacts highlighting the importance of apples through time. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. $5. 570-967-7275.

Golden Eagle Trail Hike, nine difficult miles with a stream crossing. Meet at the parking lot of the former bank building, Routes 118 and 29, Pikes Creek. 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Pictures in the Park. Learn some photo basics, then take a hike to view the park through a camera’s lens. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. $5. 570-967-7275.

Math in Nature: Fractal Hike. Discover the mathematical patterns in nature while hiking on the trails of the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5. 570-828-2319.

Black Diamond Trail Hike, an easy eight-mile trek while learning about the area’s history. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Falling Leaves Family Nature Getaway Weekend, with interpretive hikes, animal presentations, square dancing, canoeing, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Begins Friday, Oct. 10 and runs through midday Monday, Oct. 13. $210 includes lodging and meals. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Worlds End State Park Hike, eight difficult miles. Meet at the Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. Bring lunch and water. 9:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 12. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-388-6553.

Fall Photography Weekend. Learn about exposure, composition and more. Geared toward DSLR-type cameras; tripod recommended. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Begins Friday, Oct. 17 and runs through midday Sunday, Oct. 19. $290 includes lodging and meals. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Radical Raptors, a presentation about broad-winged species, followed by a hike to a high point to catch them in flight. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18. $5. 570-967-7275.

Saw-Whet Owl Banding, a field trip to the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art to observe researchers catching and banding migrating owls. Meet at the Weis Market parking lot, Route 415, Dallas at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 or at 5 p.m. at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. Free but a donation is requested. Registration: 570-639-5785.

Lake to Lake Trail Run and Woods Walk, an 8K event with participants covering trails winding through 500 acres of rich biodiversity and natural resources. Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. Sunday, Oct. 19 with registration at 9 a.m. and event at 11 a.m. $25 for the 8K; $15 for the woods walk. 570-689-9494 or lacawac.org.

Fall Foliage and Nature Photography Bus Tour of the most scenic places in Northeastern Pennsylvania for photo opportunities and photo composition tips. Keystone College Environmental Education Institute, One College Green, La Plume. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. $50; $35 students includes lunch. Registration: 570-945-8555 or kceei.keystone.edu.

Woodbourne Forest Hike, five moderate miles. Meet at the Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 11:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-655-4979.

Octoberfest, exploring the hop plant from vine to vat with a presentation in the Wheaton House and a beer-making demonstration at Endless Brewing. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. $10. Registration: 570-967-7275.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19. $2. 570-828-2319.

Golden-Winged Warbler Initiative, a talk by wildlife biologist Jason Diaferio on the Working Lands for Wildlife Program which benefits the golden-winged warblers and other bird and wildlife species. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20. 570-479-0400.

Chipmunks, Nature and Writing, a multimedia presentation by author Kathy Miller involving bird sounds, video clips of chipmunks and nature photography. Includes a visit from Chippy the Chipmunk and a free gift for all attendees. Lackawanna Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park Boat Launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 570-542-5948.