First Posted: 3/13/2015

THIS WEEK: March 18 to 24, 2015

Hiking Series, the kickoff to this season’s hiking season. Dress for the weather and wear proper footwear. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. March 19. Free. 570-403-2006.

Mystery Birding Field Trip, a birding adventure with the desination revealed 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 20. $24. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Woodcock Watch, a short presentation followed by a walk in the woods to seek out the peculiar American woodcock and observe its courtship “sky dance.” Lackawanna State Park, Route 407, North Abington Township. 6:30 p.m. March 20. 570-945-7110.

A Chickadee’s Life, all about the black-capped backyard favorite. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 to 11 a.m. March 21. $5. 570-629-3061.

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. March 22. Free. 570-542-5948.

Build Your Own Bird Box, using provided pre-cut materials. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. March 22. $10. Reservations: 570-967-7275.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 24. Free. 570-752-2241.

Woodcock Sky Dance Walk, a twilight stroll to observe the twittering flight of the American woodcock. Bring a blanket. Followed by an illustrated talk on the bird. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 24. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

FUTURE

Replacing Alien Plants with Native Plants. Learn how to attract birds, butterflies and bees to your backyard with native plants with Master Gardener Roberta Troy. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 6 p.m. March 26. Free. 570-675-9900.

Signs of Spring on the Farm, an exploration of early spring flowers, wildlife happenings and more on the trails of Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 247 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 2 to 4 p.m. March 28. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Fly Fishing,an introductory program on equipment, casting, strategy, fly-tying and more. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to noon March 28. $8. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Wild Edibles Walk. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 29. $5. 570-828-2319.

Bald Mountain Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Sears Auto Center parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. March 22. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-457-0527.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail Spring Cleanup. Volunteers are needed to clean litter and brush and do light trail maintenance. Meet at the Shickshinny trailhead near the borough playground at North Susquehanna and Oak streets. 9 a.m. to noon March 28. 570-868-3109.

Signs of Spring, a walk around the historic farm to seek out early spring bloomers, wildlife happenings and more. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 1000 Turkey Hill Road, Stroudsburg. 2 to 4 p.m. March 28. $5. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Mocanaqua Loop Hike, seven difficult miles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. March 29. Bring water and snacks. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Tumbling Waters Hike, a three-mile interpretive trek on the Tumbling Waters Trail which offers a scenic overlook of the Delaware River Valley. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. March 29. Free. 570-828-2319.

Woodcock Watch, learning about the life history and amazing courtship rituals of the entertaining American woodcock along with a walk to observe the bird in action. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 6:30 p.m. April 1. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail Race, the eighth annual 5K race and fun walk. Playground Pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, Shickshinny. April 4 with registration 9 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:15 a.m. 570-542-7946.

Step into Spring with the Master Gardeners, a morning of workshops including “Gardening Smarter Not Harder,” “Tree Pruning Essentials,” “Square Foot Gardening” and “The Pollinator Friendly Garden.” Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 11. $20. Registration: 570-421-6430.

Tumblin’ Timberdoodles, an evening birding trip to observe the American woodcock performing its courtship “sky dance” at a site in Sweet Valley. Meet at the Country Club Shopping Center in Dallas. 7:10 p.m. April 11. Free. Registration: 570-362-8727.

Scranton Half-Marathon, the second annual 13.1-mile race through the streets of Scranton and the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Also: a quarter-mile Kids Fun Run for ages 5 to 10. April 12 with half-marathon at 9 a.m. and Fun Run at 9:30 a.m. $80. Register at scrantonhalf.com.

Pocono Environmental Education Center Hike, 8.5 moderate miles. Meet at the Sears Auto Center parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 10:45 a.m. April 12. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-457-0527.

Take a Break Hike. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 12. Bring a donation for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Well Water Basics for Homeowners, common problems, water quality, screening tests and treatment solutions. Bring a sample of your well water for testing. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 14. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Early Spring Bird Walk, a leisurely stroll to seek out spring arrivals including phoebes, gnatcatchers, warblers, hawks and more. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. April 18. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Guided Bird Walk, a morning stroll with conservation volunteer Dave Kruel. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8 a.m. April 19. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Don’t Tell Me to Slow Down, a 5K run and walk in support of the National Stuttering Association. Anderson Outdoor Athletic Complex, North Gate of Misericordia University’s campus, 301 Lake St., Dallas. April 19 with registration 8:30 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:30 a.m. $22 advance; $27 day of event. 570-674-6724.

Hawk Mountain Hike, seven difficult miles with rock scrambles. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 9:45 a.m. April 19. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Scavenger Hunt and Tree ID Walk, a celebration of Earth and Arbor Days with a 1.5-mile walk. Prizes for the kids. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 19. $10. 570-967-7275.

Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels, a Master Gardeners program with members of the Briar Creek Association for Watershed Solutions. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 21. Free. 570-752-2241.

The History of Fly Fishing in Pennsylvania, with expert fly fisherman, author and artist Don Baylor. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 p.m. April 21. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Spring into Action Park Cleanup, the annual event with a variety of projects for volunteers. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. to noon April 25. 570-403-2006.

Trail Day, a volunteer clean up at the park with free food and t-shirts for all. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 11 a.m. April 25. 570-967-7275.

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. April 26. Free. 570-542-5948.

Penobscot Mountain Hike, seven difficult miles with sustained uphill climbing and three excellent views. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. April 26. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-855-9896.

Tree Planting and Landscape Design, with free strawberry starter plants for all. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 12:30 p.m. April 26. $10. 570-967-7275.

Egg Hunt, a hike to collect amphibian eggs and set up a system for hatching. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 p.m. April 26. Free. 570-967-7275.

Spring Nature Hike, an interpretive walk in search of wildflowers, ferns, budding trees and tadpoles. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. April 28. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Can’t Stop the Water, a film about Isle de Jean Charles in the bayous of south Louisiana where Native Americans have lived off the land for 170 years and which is now being subjected to a series of environmental problems including coastal erosion and sea-level rise. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 7 p.m. April 29. Free. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Full Moon Hike. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 8 p.m. May 2. Bring a donation for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride, a 33-mile ride through the scenic Back Mountain beginning at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Campus, 1269 Old Route 115, Lehman Township. May 3 with registration at 8 a.m. and ride at 9 a.m. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. Registration: 570-820-8002 or bikereg.com.

Birding Field Trip to the Bear Creek Camp to observe the spring bird migration. May 7. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Call 570-586-3702 for time and meeting place.

Spring Migration Count. Volunteer to count birds for this important national census on May 9. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Call 570-362-8727 for details.

North American Migration Count, the annual walk through the woods to identify and count birds. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 7 a.m. May 9. 570-967-7275.

Find Some Flowers for Mom, a 1.5-mile Mother’s Day Hike to seek out spring blooms. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 2 p.m. May 10. $5. 570-967-7275.

Intensive (Square Foot) Gardening, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 19. Free. 570-752-2241.

Star Party, a stargazing evening along with tips on using a telescope. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 8 p.m. May 23. $5. 570-967-7275.

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. May 24. Free. 570-542-5948.

Bike the Border, riding the roads in and near the park’s border. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1:30 p.m. May 25. Bring an item for the local food bank. 570-967-7275.

Bike Ride and Birding on the Black Diamond Trail from Mountain Top to Moosehead Lake — or beyond. Bring bike, binoculars, water and snacks for this two-to-three-hour trip. Meet at the Black Diamond Trailhead, Route 534, Mountain Top. 8 a.m. May 30. Free. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Registration: 570-443-7791.

Gardening and Wildlife, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. June 23. Free. 570-752-2241.

Compost to Create Black Gold for Your Garden, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. July 21. Free. 570-752-2241.

Composting with Earthworms All Year Long, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18. Free. 570-752-2241.

D&H Half-Marathon and 5K, the eighth annual out-and-back event on the D&H Rail Trail from Forest City to Union Dale. Begins at the entrance to the Forest City Trailhead on Route 247. Sept. 13 with the half-marathon at 9 a.m. and the 5K at 9:10 a.m. $45; $55 after Aug. 21. Registration at dhdistancerun.com.

Putting the Garden to Bed, a Master Gardeners program. McBride Memorial Library, 500 Market St., Berwick. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22. Free. 570-752-2241.