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THIS WEEK: NOV. 7 to 13, 2008

Awesome Animal Builders, a family friendly film from National Geographic about animal architects and migration specialists. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Tonight at 7. Registration: 403-2006.

Art in Nature. Join artist Sally Robertson and learn to recognize the many shapes and patterns in nature through faux stained-glass painting. No experience necessary; all materials provided. Indoor and outdoor sessions. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffet Estate, Route 435, Covington Township. Saturday, 9 to 11 a.m. $5. Registration: 842-1506.

Winter Outdoors, a “Living Lightly on the Land” workshop on preparing for and enjoying a day trip during the winter months. Included: hypothermia, dressing for the cold and “Leave No Trace” fire practices. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $25 includes lunch. 828-2319 or peec.org.

History of Life on Earth. Take a journey down the historical timeline of life on Planet Earth with naturalist Clem McIntyre who addresses controversies and discoveries on where we came from and how we got where we are. Susquehanna Riverlands, Route 11, Berwick. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Free. 866-832-2212.

Native American Tales with storyteller, drummer and dancer Lisa Facciponti. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Saturday at 7 p.m. Registration: 403-2006.

Choke Creek Hike, five moderate miles in the Lackawanna State Forest in Thornhurst. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore. Sunday at 9:15 a.m. 343-5144 or hikingjane.com.

Choke Creek Hike, six miles along mostly rolling terrain on the Pinchot Trail System in Lackawanna State Forest. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Commuter Parking Area, Route 315 and Oak Street, Pittston. Sunday at 10 a.m. 388-2338.

Windmill Hike, five easy miles in Bear Creek. Meet at the Sears Automotive parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, East End Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. Sunday at 11:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 696-3501.

Right-of-Way Rights, a talk for owners of woodland property about managing a right of way including harvesting timber, managing it as a wildlife food plot, negotiating disputes and more. Sponsored by the Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association. DCNR Bureau of Forestry Office, 274 Arbutus Park Road, Bloomsburg. Sunday at 1 p.m. 458-0157.

Trees of Pennsyvlania. Join Nikki Banfield, naturalist at Moon Lake County Park, to learn about 11 different varieties of trees and their ecosystems. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309, Dallas. Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Free. 675-9900.

Wildlife in Winter. Join naturalist John Serrao for a presentation on how animals cope with the cold. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffet Estate, Route 435, Covington Township. Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. $3. Registration: 842-1506.

They’re Not Our Favorite Birds But . . . Learn fascinating facts about the crow, house finch and mourning dove. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309, Dallas. Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Free. 675-9900.
FUTURE

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park. Join Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited on a stroll through the park to seek out song birds. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. Nov. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Free. 675-9900.

Woodland Way, an easy two-mile hike to search for signs of the changing seasons. Environmental Education Center, Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. Registration: 403-2006.

Starry Starry Night. Learn about stars, planets and constellations and hear the stories behind the legends. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Nov. 15, 6 to 10 p.m. 828-2319 or peec.org.

Mocanaqua Cliffs Hike, six steep miles. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore. Nov. 16 at 9:15 a.m. 343-5144.

Joe Gmiter Trail Hike, nine difficult miles. Meet at Pickett’s Charge Restaurant, 64 East Center Hill Road, Dallas. Nov. 16 at 9:45 a.m. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.

Walk Around Lake Scranton, 3.5 miles around the scenic lake and watershed area. Meet at the Lake Scranton parking lot, off Route 307, Scranton. Nov. 16 at 10:30 a.m. Sponsored by the Northeastern Group of the Sierra Club. 819-2147.

A Mile in Her Shoes, a two-mile walk to raise support for Ruth’s Place, a homeless shelter for women. Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Nov. 16, 1 to 4 p.m. Participants may walk half loops or as many loops as they choose. Both teams and individuals welcome. 822-6817.

What’s Your Ecological Footprint? Take the Eco-Footprint Quiz to find the real impact of your everyday actions. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffet Estate, Route 435, Covington Township. Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. $3. Registration: 842-1506.

Trees of Pennsylvania. Join Nikki Banfield, naturalist from Moon Lake Park to learn about the 108 different species of trees in the state. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309, Dallas. Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m. Free. 675-9900.

Geology of the Delaware River Valley. A dinner presentation on local geology. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Nov. 22, 6 to 9 p.m. $15; $20 non-members. 828-2319 or peec.org.

Mount Yeager Hike, five steep miles in White Haven. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore. Nov. 23 at 9:15 a.m. $5. 343-5144.

Nescopeck State Park Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Mountain Top Hose Company, Route 437. Nov. 23 at 11:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 889-5256.

Run for the Diamonds, the traditional Thanksgiving nine-mile run through downtown Berwick with diamonds to the first seven male and female finishers. Nov. 27 at 10:30 a.m. 759-1300 or runfordiamonds.com.

Winter Ecology Nature Trek. Learn how plants and animals survive through the winter and which ones are still active. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Nov. 28, 1 to 4 p.m. 828-2319 or peec.org.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park. Join Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited on a stroll through the park to seek out song birds. Meet in the parking lot at the Environmental Education Center and Boat Rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. Dec. 6 at 8:30 a.m. Free. 675-9900.

Wreathmaking. Join Gerry Janus of Vileniki Herb Farm to create a dried-flower wreath. Lackawanna College Environmental Institute, Moffet Estate, Route 435, Covington Township. Dec. 6, 9 to 11 a.m. $5 includes all supplies. Registration: 842-1506.

Buttermilk Falls Hike, five difficult miles around the Frances E. Walter Dam. Meet at the Sears Automotive parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, East End Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre Township. Dec. 7 at 11:45 a.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.

Yule Log Celebration. Join the staff and volunteers on a search for the Yule Log along with lots of games, crafts and goodies. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Dec. 13, 1 to 4 p.m. 828-2319 or peec.org.

Milford Cliffs Hike, eight moderate miles past Raymondskill Falls and the Million Dollar Outhouse. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Pittston. Bring lunch, water and sturdy boots. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 655-4979.

Frances Slocum State Park Hike, five easy miles. Meet at the park office, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. Dec. 21 at 12:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers. 693-2152.

Winter Solstice Celebration. Sit around the fire with hot cider and learn about historical traditions associated with the transition from darkness to light. Bring a snack to share. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Dec. 21, 8 to 10 p.m. Free. 828-2319 or peec.org.

Christmas Bird Count. Join local birders in this annual Audubon Society tradition. Novice birders are paired up with more experienced participants. Pocono Environmental Education Center, off Route 209, Dingmans Ferry. Dec. 28, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 828-2319 or peec.org.

State Game Land 141 Hike, nine moderate miles on Broad Mountain. Meet at the Park and Ride near Blackman Street and Route 309, Wilkes-Barre. Dec. 28 at 9:45 a.m. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.