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First Posted: 3/15/2013

THIS WEEK: MARCH 22 to 28, 2013

Tree Pruning Class, the how, why, where, what and when to prune with forester Jim Kessler. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 9 a.m. Saturday. $15. 967-7275.

The Woods in Your Backyard, a sustainable landscape workshop on planning and implementing simple stewardship practices to make a positive difference in the environment. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. $25. Registration: 825-1701.

Hooray for Hummingbirds, all about their characteristics and habitat preferences along with how to invite them into your backyard. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday. $5. Registration: 629-3061.

Reptiles and Amphibians of Northeastern Pennsylvania, with naturalist and WNEP-TV’s “Outdoor Life” personality Rick Koval who use slides and live creatures to illustrate the 44 local species of frogs, turtles, salamanders, lizards and snakes. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. Saturday. Free. 996-1500.

Equinox Extravaganza, a family-oriented event to celebrate the end of winter with educational and fun stations on a guided trail. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. $5 per child. 828-2319.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. 8 a.m. Sunday. Free. 542-5948.

1000 Steps Trail Hike, 8.5 difficult miles. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center parking lot, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. Bring lunch and water. 9:45 a.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 283-1312.

Sunday for Singles, a hike to meet new people and explore nature together. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Free. 828-2319.

Sustainability Series, a session on “Understanding and Managing Environmental Opportunities and Challenges Related to Marcellus Shale: Groundwater, Energy, Ecosystem” with DEP representatives, Marcellus Shale industry officials, geologists, wildlife biologists and elected officials. Environmental Education Institute, Keystone College, La Plume. 6 p.m. Tuesday. Free. 945-8555.

Container Gardening, how to create bountiful container gardens using annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables with Master Gardener Sandy Visintainer at the monthly meeting of the Mountaintop Garden Club. Rice Township Municipal Building, 3000 Church Road, Mountain Top. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Open to the public. 868-5564.

FUTURE

Sounds of a Spring Night, an indoor session followed by an outdoor walk. Bring a flashlight. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 to 8 p.m. March 30. Free. Registration: 403-2006.

Live Native Animals. Get up close and personal with native birds, reptiles and mammals of the Pocono Wildlife Rehab Center. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Moscow. 6:30 to 8 p.m. April 3. $5. Registration: 842-1506.

Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K Race and Fun Walk on the old railroad bed of the Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad along the Suquehanna River. Registration Pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, Shickshinny. April 6 with registration 9 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:15 a.m. $17 until March 23; $20 thereafter. Tee-shirts to the first 200 entrants. 542-7946.

Raised Bed Gardening, a session with Master Gardener Mary Ann Miller. The Lands at Hillside, 65 Hillside Road, Shavertown. 10 a.m. to noon April 6. $5. Registration: 825-1701.

Fight for Air. Raise funds for the American Lung Association by climbing 1,224 steps of the Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. April 6 with registration at noon and climb at 1 p.m. $25 entry fee plus a minimum of $100 in donations. 823-2212 or action.lung.org.

Spring Waterfalls, a trip to some of the scenic waterfalls in the region. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 6. $20 includes van transportation. Reservations: 828-2319.

Frank Gantz Trail Hike, 8.5 moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. Bring lunch and water. 9:45 a.m. April 7. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 825-7200.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge Trip, a two-day trip to one of Delaware’s premier waterfowl and shorebird sites. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. April 10 and 11. Call 586-3702 for details.

Chainsaw Day. Volunteer to cut and clear winter debris. Free food and T-shirts. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 9 a.m. April 13. Registration: 967-7275.

Salamanders, Frogs and More! Explore nearby breeding pools for egg masses. Nets and collection jars provided for gentle, up-close study. Wear boots and old clothes. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 13 and 28. $5. 828-2319.

Peeper Search. Listen to the impressive choir of these tiny tree frogs while carefully catching, studying and releasing them. Bring a flashlight. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 8 to 9 p.m. April 13. $5. 828-2319.

Bruce Lake Natural Area Hike, eight moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. Bring lunch and water. 10:45 a.m. April 14. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 814-2803.

Trees: Celebrating Their Importance for Wildlife and People, a talk by Service Forester Ben Hardy who gives tips on improving habitats for birds and wildlife. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. April 15. Free. 479-0400.

Amphibian Walk, a short introduction followed by a walk in search of eggs, tadpoles, salamanders, newts, frogs and toads. Hosted by naturalist Rick Koval at the Lackawanna Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Moscow. 6 to 8 p.m. April 17. $5. Registration: 842-1506.

Earth Day Celebration, a cleanup session around the greenhouses and barns at The Lands at Hillside, 65 Hillside Road, Shavertown. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20. Wear gloves and bring rakes and shovels. 888-887-7811.

Art in Nature, a workshop on using clay pots and moss to create living wreaths. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Moscow. 9 a.m. to noon April 20. $25. Registration: 842-1506.

Earth Day Celebration, with hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, animals, crafts, food, music and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20. $5 per car. 828-2319.

Herbs from the Ground Up, growing herbs, their uses and preservation with Master Gardener Jo Robbins. The Lands at Hillside, 65 Hillside Road, Shavertown. 10 a.m. to noon April 20. $5. Registration: 825-1701.

Trail Cleanup Day. Clear park trails of branches, trash and debris. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 11 a.m. April 20. Free food and T-shirts. Registration: 967-7275.

Egypt Lake Area Hike, 8.5 moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. Bring lunch and water. 9:45 a.m. April 21. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 457-0527.

Cycle and Recycle, an afternoon of activities focused on recycling, composting and bike riding for all ages. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 12:30 to 5 p.m. April 21. 967-7275.

Sustainability Series, a session on “Preserving Green Space Through Land Trusts” with representatives from Countryside Conservancy, the North Branch Land Trust and the Edward L. Rose Conservancy of Susquehanna County. Environmental Education Institute, Keystone College, La Plume. 6 p.m. April 23. Free. 945-8555.

Gardening Workshop, an all-day session on turf management, trees, flowers, soil, water features, shade gardens and vegetables with keynote speaker Vincent Cotrone on “Trees and Shrubs in a Changing Landscape.” Also: a plant sale and flea market. Sponsored by the Penn State Master Gardeners at the Technology Center, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, off Old Route 118, Lehman Township. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27. $30. Registration: 825-1701.

Egg Hunt, collecting salamander eggs and learning about their hatching. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 1 to 4 p.m. April 27. Free. 967-7275.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. 8 a.m. April 28. Free. 542-5948.

Pennsylvania Environmental Center Hike, 8.5 moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315, Dupont. Bring lunch and water. 9:45 a.m. April 28. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 457-0527.

Rain Barrel Workshop, how to reuse raindrops to protect the watershed and manage stormwater to reduce source pollution and flooding. Environmental Education Institute, Keystone College, La Plume. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4. $25 includes a rain barrel. 945-8555.

Backyard Composting, a workshop with Master Gardener Mary Ann Miller. The Lands at Hillside, 65 Hillside Road, Shavertown. 10 a.m. to noon May 11. $5. Registration: 825-1701.

Creatures of the Night, a program by the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with live nocturnal animals. Presented at the Annual Banquet of the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Apple Tree Terrace, Newberry Estate, Pioneer Avenue, Dallas. 6 p.m. May 14. $35. Reservations by May 3. 479-0400.

Bloody Murder Obstacle Course, a three-to-five mile Steeplechase course with creative and innovative obstacles designed by engineers. May 18-19 in Scranton. Waiting for info.

Sustainability Series, a session on “How to Work with Conservation Districts to Conserve Natural Resources on Your Private Land” including tips on free services and information. Environmental Education Institute, Keystone College, La Plume. 6 p.m. May 21. Free. 945-8555.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. 8 a.m. May 26. Free. 542-5948.

Heritage Explorer Bike Tour & Festival, a family-friendly, non-competitive event to benefit the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Choose from out-and-back routes of 5, 11, 22 or 44 miles beginning at Mellow Park in Peckville and proceeding on local rail trails and streets. June 15 with the 44-mile departing at 8 a.m. with the other rides leaving throughout the morning. Also: A community festival with music, food, exhibits, raffles and children’s activities 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mellow Park. 963-6730.

CCC Reunion and Festival, the annual celebration of the Civilian Conservation Corps with music, geocaching, crafting, art, dancing, food, interpretive talks, the Blacksmith Shop, Masker Museum, Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl. Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 17. 676-3428.