Outdoors

THIS WEEK: MARCH 19 to 25, 2010

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. Saturday at 10 a.m. Free. Sponsored by the Sierra Club. 819-2147.

Equinox Extravaganza, the fifth annual event to observe subtle signs of spring. Included: making a field notebook, tips on how to record the first signs of spring, and engaging the five senses while navigating the orienteering course with maps and compasses. Free plants to each family. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. $5. Registration: 828-2319.

Spring Traditions, a talk on the natural events and the observances, myths and traditions that surround the vernal equinox and the coming of spring. With naturalist Clem McIntyre. Susquehanna Riverlands, Route 11, Berwick. Saturday, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Free. 866-832-3312.

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. Saturday, 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. Sunday, 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. Sunday at 12:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 288-2733.

Resources for Forest Landowners, up-to-date information on how to take advantage of incentive programs to improve your woodlot with local natural-resource professionals. Sponsored by the Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association at the DCNR Bureau of Forestry Office, 274 Arbutus Park Road, Bloomsburg. Sunday at 1:30 p.m. 458-0157.

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. Sunday at 2 p.m. Free. 403-2006.

Invasive Plants in Your Backyard, an illustrated session with herbalists Gerry and Len Janus who highlight invasive species which can be reduced by eating them (raw in salads, steamed or brewed for tea). Samples available. Anthracite Heritage Museum, McDade Park, off Keyser Avenue, Scranton. Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Free. 586-5156.

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. Begins Monday and continues through April 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. 825-1701.

FUTURE

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. 457-0527.

Apple Tree Pruning and Grafting Workshop with experts Doug Ayers and Marshall Rumbaugh. Hillside Farms, 65 Hillside Road, Trucksville. March 28, 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Lunch included. $25. Reservations: 696-4500.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K Race, the third annual race and fun walk on the Susquehanna Warrior Trail in Shickshinny. April 3 with registration 9 to 10 a.m. at the playground pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, followed by the race/walk at 10:15 a.m. $17 by March 27; $20 thereafter. 542-7946 or download applications at susquehannawarriortrail.org.

Dirt Diggers: Container Gardening, making a four-season container garden with Penn State Extension Master Gardeners Jean Kolojejchick and Roseann Nardone. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. April 7 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 654-9847.

Nature Walk: Trees of the Susquehanna, a morning walk around West Pittston to learn about tree identification. Bring binoculars. Starts and ends at the West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. April 10, 8:30 to 10 a.m. Free. 654-9847.

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.

Animal Tracks and Signs Walk, learning basic identification techniques and print classification while exploring outdoor trails with Roger Spotts of the Monroe County Environmental Education Center. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, Route 435, Covington Township. April 13 at 6 p.m. $4. Registration: 842-1506.

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.

Live Minnow Trapping and Exploring with naturalist Rick Koval. Hillside Farms, 65 Hillside Road, Trucksville. April 25, 1 to 3 p.m. $12. Limited to 25 participants. Reservations: 696-4500.

Gardening with Native Perennials, demonstrations and advice by Len and Gerry Janus of Vileniki Herb Farm. Bring gardening gloves. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, Route 435, Covington Township. April 27 at 6 p.m. $4. Registration: 842-1506.

Dirt Diggers: Organic Vegetable Gardening Basics, with Penn State Extension Master Gardener and organic vegetable grower Ron Petro. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. April 28 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 654-9847.

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.

March for Babies, a 2.5-mile walk to raise funds for the March of Dimes. Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, 1280 Highway 315, Plains. May 2 with registration at 8 a.m. and event at 9 a.m. Information at marchforbabies.com.

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.

Heritage Explorer Bike Tour, a cycling tour of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail with courses for beginners, seniors, children and experienced bicyclists at 5, 10, 20 and 40+ miles. Begins and ends at Mellow Park, Blakely. June 5 with check-in between 7 and 10 a.m. Preceded by a kickoff party June 4, 5 to 8 p.m. at the Electric City Trolley Museum, 300 Cliff St., Scranton. 341-4578 or lhva.org/biketour.

Live Mammal Trapping and Exploration with naturalist Rick Koval. Hillside Farms, 65 Hillside Road, Trucksville. Sept. 18 at 9:30 a.m. $12. Limited to 25 participants. Reservations: 696-4500.