THIS WEEK: Feb. 3 to 9, 2016
Snowshoes and Cross-Country Skis are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis at Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Feb. 29 (except Feb. 6 and 20). Requires a minimum of 4 inches of snow on the ground. 570-403-2006.
Free Senior Ski Clinics, along with clinics in snowboarding and telemark skiing for seniors older than age 55. Jack Frost Mountain, 1 S. Lake Drive, Lake Harmony. Every Wednesday throughout the ski season with registration at 9:30 a.m. and clinic at 10 a.m. A special luncheon and ski talk after the Feb. 3 clinic. Sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming counties. 570-443-8425.
Eagle Watch, a field trip to the Upper Delaware River in search of wintering bald eagles. Meet at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 5 and 12. $28 includes bus transportation. Bring lunch and binoculars. Reservations: 570-629-3061.
Cross-Country Skiing. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons, practicing the basics on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but call to register your shoe size. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 28 except Feb. 13-14. $20; $10 children. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Eagle Watch, a trip to the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River and the Eagle Institute to look for winter residents and nesting pairs. Bring a lunch, camera and suitable clothing. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6. $20. Call 570-828-2319 to reserve a seat in the van.
Great Backyard Birds, tips and tricks for bird identification. Also: making a recycled feeder and taking home an observation sheet to participate in the annual Bird Count. Coulter Visitor Center, Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6. 570-689-9494.
Watch the Birdy. Stop by the Environmental Learning Center to spy some feeder birds and enjoy a hot drink while learning about Project Feeder Watch and other programs to keep track of our feathered friends. Lackawanna State Park, Route 407, Dalton. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 6. 570-945-7110.
WinterFest, the annual outdoor event with the Howlin’ Huskies sled dogs, ice-safety demonstrationa, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, the Game Commission’s K-9 unit, children’s activities and hot food and beverages. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6. Free. 570-403-2006.
Intro to Snowshoeing. Learn the basics and enjoy a stomp through the winter woods. All equipment provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to noon Sundays through Feb. 28 except Feb. 13-14. $10. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Lake Scranton Hike, seven easy miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 7. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-855-9896.
Tree-Tapping Day, preparing for the 2016 maple sugaring season by tapping trees, running the tube collection lines and setting up the evaporator. Meesing Sugarbush, Marshall’s Creek. Stop by anytime after 10 a.m. on Feb. 9 to observe the preparations. Weather permitting; hot drinks provided. Registration: 570-629-3061.
FUTURE
Winter Wonderland Family Nature Getaway, with cross-country skiing, animal tracking, nature hikes, crafts, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Feb. 12 to 15. $225 includes three nights lodging and all meals from Friday dinner to Monday lunch. Reservations: 570-828-2319.
Kiwanis WinterFest, the annual “snow or no snow” event with a Polar Bear Plunge, snowmobile races, inflatable igloo, live auction, Man Cave, ice carving, sled dogs, food vendors, ice-fishing tournament, horse-drawn sleigh rides, live raptor show, ice slide, marshmallow roast and more. Camp Brule, 2559 North St., Forksville. 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14. Information at sckiwanis.com.
Winter Tree ID, how to identify leafless trees. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Feb. 13. $5. 570-629-3061.
Tree Pest and Disease Management, including the chestnut blight, the hemlock wooly adelgid, the emerald ash borer and Dutch elm disease. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Feb. 20. $5. 570-629-3061.
Lackawanna Winterfest, with a dog-sledding demo, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, campfires, kids winter crafts, winter survival talk, hot food and beverages. Lackawanna State Park, Route 407, Dalton. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 20. 570-945-7110.
Sugar Notch Mountain Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 21. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-735-4359.
Lakota Wolf Preserve Field Trip, a visit to the Columbia, New Jersey, preserve to observe four different packs of wolves along with foxes and bobcats. Meet at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $28. Reservations: 570-629-3061.
Backyard Beekeeping, a class on “Spring Apiary Management,” appropriate for honeybee enthusiasts, designed to support new and seasoned beekeepers. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $25. Registration: 570-842-1506.
Cabin Fever Hunting, Fishing & Outdoor Expo, the fifth annual event with sporting-goods vendors, hunting and fishing outfitters, free drawings for hunting and fishing expeditions, seminars and door prizes. Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Route 315, Plains Township. 3 to 9 p.m. Feb. 26; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 27; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 28. $7, $5 seniors. 570-709-8378.
Animal Tracking, exploring natural areas for tracks, trails, scat, territory marks, eat marks and other signs that animals leave. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 27. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area. Join Bob Wasilewski of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society to seek out species in the park. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, accessed via First Avenue in Kingston. 8 a.m. Feb. 28. Free. 570-371-3951.
Wild Creek Cove Hike, six moderate miles at Beltsville State Park. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 28. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.
Sugar Shack Scramble, a hike through the woods stopping at the Two Saps Sugar Shack for cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. March 5; sign up for a 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. start time. $12. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Birding Field Trip. Travel with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on the border of Lebanon and Lancaster counties to view thousands of snow geese and tundra swans along with songbirds, raptors and waterfowl. Leaves 7:30 a.m. March 6 from the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street or 8 a.m. from Perkins Restaurant, Route 93, Hazleton. Free. Information at 570-443-7791.
Sunday for Singles. Explore nature on a guided hike and meet new single friends. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 6. Free. 570-828-2319.
Do-It-Yourself Paracord Bracelet. Make your own survival bracelet with all supplies provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 13. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
My Fascination with Birds: The Story Behind the Photos, a talk by naturalist Rick Koval of WNEP’s “Pennsylvania Outdoor Life.” Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. March 19. Free. 570-996-1500.
Woodcock Walk, a hike to observe the mysterious woodcock and its spectacular spingtime mating display. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 19. Free. 570-828-2319.
Fire Building, learning primitive and modern fire-making skills including flint and steel fires. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 26. $5. Reservations: 570-828-2319.
Easy Does It Hike, a leisurely walk through the woods to learn about natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 26. Free. 570-828-2319.
Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area. Join Bob Wasilewski of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society to seek out species in the park. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, accessed via First Avenue in Kingston. 8 a.m. March 27. Free. 570-371-3951.
Eagle Day, a presentation of live eagles by the Carbon County Environmental Education Center along with stories and crafts about the birds and their role in history. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 3 p.m. April 3. Registration: 570-836-3835.
