Outdoors

THIS WEEK: MARCH 5 to 11, 2010

North Shore Bird Trip. A bird journey through the northern shore of New Jersey with birder Jack Padalino. Bring lunch and snacks. Sponsored by the Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. $60. Registration: 828-2319.

Leave No Trace. Learn to reduce the size of the footprint you leave on wilderness areas with retired teacher Mike Yeager. Susquehanna Riverlands, Route 11, Berwick. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Free. 866-832-3312.

Tap into Maple Sugaring, a talk and film on the natural and cultural history of making maple sugar following by a walk through Goose Woods to the Sugar Shack to experience the sights, sounds and scents of maple sugaring. PPL’s Montour Preserve, off Route 54 near Washingtonville. Sunday, with hourly programs from noon to 4 p.m. 437-3131.

Conservation Volunteer Meeting, for those interested in volunteering at Nescopeck, Hickory Run or Lehigh Gorge state parks. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Thursday at 6:30 p.m. 403-2006.

FUTURE

Sugar Shack Scramble, an orienteering expedition to Two Saps sugar shack to enjoy Pennsylvania maple syrup and pancakes. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. March 13, 9 a.m. to noon. $20, $10 children. Registration: 828-2319.

Mocanaqua Loop Hike, seven difficult miles on the Blue Trail. Meet at the Park and Ride near Blackman Street and Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre. March 14 at 11:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.

First Day of Spring Walk, a 1.5-hour walk along the Olmsted Trail at Kirby Park in Wilkes-Barre. Meet in the parking lot. March 20 at 10 a.m. Free. Sponsored by the Sierra Club. 819-2147.

Under Our Skin: The Hidden Story of Lyme Disease, a screening of the film exposing the hidden epidemic of Lyme disease. Wallenpaupack Environmental Education Center, Route 6, Hawley. March 20, 2 to 4 p.m. Free. 689-9494.

Basha Kill Tour, an exploration of this magnificent wildlife management area. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. March 21, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. $35. Registration: 828-2319.

Frances Slocum State Park Hike, six miles on the Deer and Mocanaqua trails. Meet at the park office, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. March 21 at 12:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 288-2733.

Fly-Fishing Basics, an informal gathering of local fly-fishing enthusiasts. Watch and learn to tie flies and cast a fly rod. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. March 21 at 2 p.m. Free. 403-2006.

From Seed to Kitchen: Grow Your Vegetable Skills, an evening program on vegetable gardening and food preservation. Sponsored by the Penn State Cooperative Extension at the Rock Recreation Center, 340 Carverton Road, Trucksville. Mondays from March 22 to April 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. 825-1701.

March into Spring, a walk through the wetlands to look for signs of the natural world’s awakening. Waterproof footwear recommended. Susquehanna Riverlands, Route 11 and Salem Boulevard, Berwick. March 26 and 27, 10:30 a.m. to noon. 866-832-3312.

Sounds of a Spring Night, an indoor session followed by an outdoor walk for all ages. Bring a flashlight. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. March 26 at 7 p.m. Free. Registration: 403-2006.

Run for the Red 5K Run/Walk, an inaugural event to benefit the Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. Blood Center, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Hanover Township. March 27 with registration from 9 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:30 a.m. $15. 823-7161 or wyomingvalley.redcross.org.

Woodcock Watch, an indoor presentation followed by a walk to a nearby woodcock singing grounds to watch the courtship displays of the American woodcock in which the male conducts elaborate aerial displays to attract a mate. Lacawac Sanctuary, off Ledgedale Road near Lake Wallenpaupack. March 27, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $5. Age 10 and older. Registration: 689-9494.

Pocono Environmental Education Hike, nine moderate miles through the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. March 28 at 9:45 a.m. Bring a lunch. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 457-7200.

Lackawanna State Forest Hike, seven moderate miles with some bushwhacking. Meet at the Park and Ride near Blackman Street and Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre. April 11 at 11:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 477-2210.

Schunemunk Mountain Hike, 10 difficult miles with rock scrambles. Meet at the Park and Ride near Blackman Street and Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre. April 18 at 8:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 823-1312.

Hawk Mountain Hike, seven difficult miles with rock scrambles. Meet at the Park and Ride near Blackman Street and Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre. Bring lunch and water. April 25 at 9:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.

Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride, a 30-mile ride through the Back Mountain beginning and ending at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Old Route 115, Lehman. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. May 2 with registration at 7 a.m. 820-8002.

Migratory Bird Count on the Susquehanna River, a guided kayak/canoe trip to identify and count birds for the Migratory Bird Count with lessons in identification through sight and sound. Leaves from Endless Mountain Outfitters, Route 187, Sugar Run and travels the North Branch of the river stopping at the Bradford County Boat Club, Standing Stone and French Azilum. May 8, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 746-9140 or emo444.com.

Endless Mountains Heritage River Sojourn, a 40-mile river trip from Sayre to Sugar Run with camping at Hornbrook County Park and French Azilum. Shuttle and food provided. Endless Mountain Outfitters, Route 187, Sugar Run. May 21 to 23. 746-9140 or emo444.com.