First Posted: 2/9/2015

THIS WEEK: Feb. 18 to 24, 2015

Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing. Free use of equipment on the trails of Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. There must be at least four inches of snow on the ground for skis and six inches for snowshoes. Brief instructions upon request; first come, first served. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays through Feb. 28. 570-403-2006.

Birding Field Trip, to Barnegat Light State Park and Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey to seek out harlequin ducks, purple sandpipers, red-breasted mergansers and other shorebirds and songbirds. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 7 a.m. Feb. 21. $5. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Registration: 570-362-8727.

Cross-Country Skiing. Learn the basics and practice on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but remember to register your shoe size to guarantee a spot. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21; 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 22. $20; $10 children. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Birding on the Brodhead, a bird walk with members of the Pocono Avian Research Center at the ForEvergreen Nature Preserve, Cherry Lane, Analomink. 9 to 11 a.m. Feb. 21. $10. Registration: 570-424-1514.

A Tropical Escape to T & T, an illustrated talk on the favorite birding destination of Trinidad and Tobago. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Feb. 21. $5. 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 indoor exhibit on natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Feb. 21. 570-828-2319.

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. Feb. 22. Free. 570-542-5948.

Wilderness Skills, outdoor survival skills ranging from fire building and camping preparedness to tracking and stalking animals. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 22. $5. 570-828-2319.

Wild Creek Cove Hike, six moderate miles at Beltzville State Park. Meet at the Sears Auto Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 22. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Winter Festival, with sleigh riding, indoor games, refreshments, door prizes and tours of the camp. Bring a sled! Jewish Community Center Campsite, Harveys Lake. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 22. Free. Registration by Feb. 19: 570-824-4646.

FUTURE

Retain the Rain, a workshop in water conservation along with tips on minimizing water pollution. Also: an exhibit of 20 rain barrels painted by local artists. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Feb. 28. 570-629-3061.

Introduction to Snowshoeing. Learn the basics, then enjoy a winter stomp through the woods. No experience necessary. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 28. $10. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Birding Field Trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to observe thousands of snow geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 5. $24. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Birding Field Trip to the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area to observe thousands of snow geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl, raptors and songbirds. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 a.m. March 7. $5. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Registration: 570-443-7791.

Sugar Shack Ramble, an orienteering expedition, using a map and compass, to the Two Saps Sugar Shack to enjoy cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 7. $10. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Maple Sugaring Day, a tour of the sugar bush including stops to learn about Native American and early pioneer methods of making syrup. Followed by pancakes and fresh maple syrup. Meesing Outdoor Site, Delaware State Forest, Marshalls Creek. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 7. $5, $3 children. 570-629-3061.

Spring Waterfalls, a tour of area waterfalls. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 7. $12. Call to reserve a seat in the van. 570-828-2319.

Fire Building, primitive fire-making skills including a flint-and-steel fire, a bow-drill fire and more. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 8. $5. 570-828-2319.

Sunday for Singles. Explore nature and meet new people while hiking on a park trail. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 8. $5. 570-828-2319.

Camouflage and Mimicry: What You See Isn’t What You See! A talk by naturalist Rick Kovalon the techniques and adaptations animals use to avoid detection. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. March 14. Free. 570-996-1500.

Ecozone Discovery Room! Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this indoor exhibit on natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. March 14. 570-828-2319.

Woodcock Walk, an evening stroll to witness this mysterious bird’s spectacular springtime mating display. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 14. Free. 570-828-2319.

The Easy-Does-It Hike, a slow-paced interpretive walk through the woods at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 15. Free. 570-828-2319.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.