THIS WEEK: March 2 to 8, 2016

Birding Field Trip, to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to view thousands of snow geese along with a variety of waterfowl, raptors and more. Meet at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 2. $30. Bring a lunch and binoculars. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

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. Sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging of Luzerne and Wyoming counties. 570-443-8425.

Basic Boating Course, presented by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Included: practical information for boaters to make better informed decisions on the water. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 5. Free. Registration: 570-406-4041.

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.

Public Maple Sugaring Day, the 39th annual event with a tour of the Sugarbush including stops to learn about Native American and early pioneer methods of making syrup, the evaporator process and identifying and tapping a maple tree. Followed by pancakes and syrup. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 5. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

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.

Tubs and Bald Mountain Hike, six moderate miles at the Seven Tubs Natural Area. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. March 6. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-457-0527.

Winter Along the River, with a sled-dog team, nature and wildlife hikes, children’s games, maple-sugaring demonstration, environmental education, hot chocolate, s’mores, donuts and more. Also: snow-dependent activities including snow painting, treasure hunt, snowman-building contest, sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Nesbitt Park, Wilkes-Barre. Noon to 3 p.m. March 6. Free. Info at riverfrontparks.org.

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.

FUTURE

Vanishing of the Bees, a film examining the alarming disappearnce of honeybees followed by a discussion. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 10. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Easter Egg Hunt 5K. Walk or run, collecting eggs as you go, on a course throughout the streets of Avoca beginning and ending at Langcliffe Presbyterian Church, 1001 Main St., Avoca. Also: children’s activities and a post-race pasta lunch. March 12 with registration at 10 a.m., race at 11 a.m. and lunch at noon. $15 until Feb. 26; $20 thereafter (includes shirt and lunch). Age 13 and older. Proceeds benefit the Avoca Hose Company and Ruth’s Place. 570-457-4477 or langcliffeavoca.church/5k.

Promised Land State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. March 13. Bring water and lunch. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-814-2803.

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.

Mystery Birding Field Trip. Join environmental educator Brian Hardiman on a birding adventure where the destination is not revealed until the day of the trip. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 18. $28. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Animal Adaptations, an up-close look at skulls, furs and more to study ways animals adapt to live in a particular habitat. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 p.m. March 18. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Fly Fishing Workshop, with discussions of equipment, casting, strategy, fly-tying, basic trout stream macro-invertebrate entomology and local fishing areas. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to noon March 19. $8, $5 children. 570-629-3061.

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. Age 10 and older. Free. 570-828-2319.

Nescopeck State Park Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. March 20. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Backyard Beekeeping, a class on “Summer 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. March 24. $25. Registration: 570-842-1506.

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.

Stalking the Wild Woodcock, learning about the history of the American woodcock and its amazing courtship displays. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 6:30 p.m. March 30. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Don’t Tell Me to Slow Down, the third annual 5K run and walk to benefit the local chapter of the National Stuttering Association and the student-run stuttering support group. Anderson Outdoor Athletic Complex, Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 2 with registration 8:45 to 9:45 a.m. and event at 10 a.m. $20 by March 17; $25 thereafter. 570-675-6400.

Spring Waterfalls, a tour of Pocono waterfalls near the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to noon April 3. $10. Call to reserve a seat in the van. 570-828-2319.

Tobyhanna State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. April 3. Bring water and lunch. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-842-2230.

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.

Bridge the Gap: Edible and Medicinal Plant Walk. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon April 10. Free. 570-828-2319.

Geology Hike to learn about rocks, fossils, glacial deposits and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 10. $5. 570-828-2319.

Mocanaqua Loop Trail Hike, seven difficult miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. April 10. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Penobscot Mountain Hike, with sustained uphill hiking and three excellent views. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. April 17. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-855-9896.

Ironmaster’s Challenge, the seventh annual 50K Ultra and 15K Challenge for both runners and hikers who traverse rustic trails through a state forest, state park and private game preserve with numerous scenic vistas throughout. Pine Grove Furnace State Park, 1212 Pine Grove Road, Gardners. April 24. $65 for 50K; $40 for 15K by April 1; $75, $50 afterwards. Includes tech t-shirt, breakfast, snacks and drinks, goodie bags and a finish-line picnic. Registration on line only at pretzelcitysports.com.

Hawkeye Ski Trail Hike, seven moderate miles at Loyalsock State Park with stream crossings. Meet at the abandoned bank at the corner of Routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek. 9:45 a.m. April 24. Bring water and lunch. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-655-4979.

Spring into Gardening Workshop, with sessions on growing and using herbs, gardening for birds and butterflies, organic gardening, insects, GMOs, an introduction to pruning, straw-bale gardening and tips for easier and safer gardening. With keynote speaker Vincent Cotrone, regional urban forester. Technology Center, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 1269 Old Route 115, Lehman Township. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30. $35 includes lunch. Register by April 22 at http://extension.psu.edu.

D&H Distance Run, the ninth annual 13.1-mile “out and back” race on the D&H Rail Trail in Susquehanna County.9 a.m. Sept. 11. $35 by Feb. 29; $40 thereafter. Register at dhdistancerun.com.