First Posted: 9/18/2014

THIS WEEK: Sept. 24 to 30, 2014

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.

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.

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.

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.

FUTURE

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.