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THIS WEEK: Jan. 1 to 7, 2016
New Year’s Day Double-Header Hike, a 1.25-mile easy-paced hike along the Merry Hill Trail System at 10 a.m. Jan. 1 and a fast-paced 3-to-4-mile trek up Mount Minsi on the Appalachian Trail 1 p.m. Jan. 1. For the first hike, meet at the Merry Hill Trail System parking area, Merry Hill Road, Paradise Township. For the afternoon event, meet at the Appalachian Trail parking lot near Lake Lenape, off Mountain Road, Delaware Water Gap. $10. 570-424-1514.
First Day Hike, a two-to-three-mile hike to start off the New Year. Meet at the Visitors Center of Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 1 p.m. Jan. 1. Free. 570-474-5884.
Cross-Country Skiing. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons, practicing the basics on an old logging road loop. Skis, poles and boots provided but call to register your shoe size. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays; 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28 except Jan. 9-10 and Feb. 13-14. $20; $10 children. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Winter Ecology Hike. Learn how different plants and animals survive the winter. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 2. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Intro to Snowshoeing. Learn the basics and enjoy a stomp through the winter woods. All equipment provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to noon Sundays from Jan. 2 to Feb. 28 except Jan. 9-10 and Feb. 13-14. $10. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Promised Land Hike, seven moderate miles at Promised Land State Park. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. Jan. 3. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-814-2803.
Snowshoes and Cross-Country Skis are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis at Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays from Jan. 4 through Feb. 29 (except Feb. 6 and 20). Requires a minimum of 4 inches of snow on the ground. 570-403-2006.
FUTURE
Guided Nature Hike, two easy miles. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. Jan. 9. Registration: 570-403-2006.
Who Lives There? A program on animal “houses” and how they protect themselves from the winter elements. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Jan. 9. $5. 570-629-3061.
Susquehanna Warrior Trail Hike, seven easy miles. Meet at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission boat launch on Route 11, one mile past the SCI Retreat in Hunlock Creek. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 10. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-388-4060.
Backyard Beekeeping, a class on “Preparing Your Apiary,” appropriate for honeybee enthusiasts, designed to support new and seasoned beekeepers. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14. $25. Registration: 570-842-1506.
All About Trail Cameras, an introduction to trail-camera photography to monitor animals. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Jan. 16. $5. 570-629-3061.
Owl Prowl, an indoor session with live owls followed by an outdoor walk to listen for owls. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 6 p.m. Jan. 16. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.
Seven Tubs Natural Area Hike, five moderate miles with an optional three miles additional. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 17. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.
Animal Tracking, exploring natural areas for tracks, trails, scat, territory marks, eat marks and other signs that animals leave. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 17. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Eagle Watch, a field trip to the Upper Delaware River in search of bald eagles. Sponsored by the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Jan. 22 and 29. $28. Registration: 570-629-3061.
Feeder Fidelity, a morning of banding birds at the feeders of the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. to noon, Jan. 23. $5. 570-629-3061.
Nescopeck State Park Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. Jan. 24. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.
Eagle Watch for Eagle Enthusiasts, a trip to the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River and the Eagle Institute to look for winter residents and nesting pairs. Bring a lunch, camera and suitable clothing. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 30. $20. Call 570-828-2319 to reserve a seat in the van.
Whose Track Is That? A study of animal tracks and the clues they provide. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 30. $5. 570-629-3061.
Gouldsboro State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. Jan. 31. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-842-2230.
Eagle Watch, a trip to the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River and the Eagle Institute to look for winter residents and nesting pairs. Bring a lunch, camera and suitable clothing. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 6. $20. Call 570-828-2319 to reserve a seat in the van.
Lake Scranton Hike, seven easy miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 7. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-855-9896.
Winter Wonderland Family Nature Getaway, with cross-country skiing, animal tracking, nature hikes, crafts, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Feb. 12 to 15. $225 includes three nights lodging and all meals from Friday dinner to Monday lunch. Reservations: 570-828-2319.
Sugar Notch Mountain Hike, six moderate miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street in Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 21. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-735-4359.
Backyard Beekeeping, a class on “Spring Apiary Management,” appropriate for honeybee enthusiasts, designed to support new and seasoned beekeepers. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25. $25. Registration: 570-842-1506.
Animal Tracking, exploring natural areas for tracks, trails, scat, territory marks, eat marks and other signs that animals leave. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 27. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Wild Creek Cove Hike, six moderate miles at Beltsville State Park. Meet at the Sears Automotive Center, Wyoming Valley Mall, Wilkes-Barre Township. 11:45 a.m. Feb. 28. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.
Sugar Shack Scramble, a hike through the woods stopping at the Two Saps Sugar Shack for cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. March 5; sign up for a 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. start time. $12. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Sunday for Singles. Explore nature on a guided hike and meet new single friends. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 6. Free. 570-828-2319.
Do-It-Yourself Paracord Bracelet. Make your own survival bracelet with all supplies provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 13. $5. Registration: 570-828-2319.
Woodcock Walk, a hike to observe the mysterious woodcock and its spectacular spingtime mating display. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6:30 to 8 p.m. March 19. Free. 570-828-2319.
Fire Building, learning primitive and modern fire-making skills including flint and steel fires. Age 10 and older. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon March 26. $5. Reservations: 570-828-2319.
Easy Does It Hike, a leisurely walk through the woods to learn about natural history. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 26. Free. 570-828-2319.