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THIS WEEK: March 3 to 9, 2017

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, a field trip to the refuge in Kleinfeltersville to observe thousands of snow geese and tundra swans along with other waterfowl, songbirds and raptors. Sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at Perkins Restaurant, 50 Route 93, West Hazleton. 8 a.m. March 4. Free but registration required: 570-443-7791.

Sugar Shack Scramble, a hike through the woods to the Two Saps Sugar Shack for cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. March 4 with groups heading out at 9 and 9:30 a.m. $15. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Oh! The Many Feet We Meet, an interactive lesson on the natural history of mammals common to Salt Springs Park. Follow the animals’ tracks and look for other signs of activity. The hike begins at 1 p.m. March 4, at Salt Springs Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose. Donations accepted. Call 570-967-7275 for more information.

Bruce Lake Natural Area Hike, eight moderate miles at Promised Land State Park. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 near Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. March 5. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-806-1754.

Active Adventures: Healthy Hikes, a guided hike on the trails of the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 5. Free. 570-828-2319.

FUTURE

Whooo Gives a Hoot? Full Moon Hike, after a short presentation on owls by Nancy Wottrich, wander a moonlit woods calling some in. Weather permitting. The event begins at 7 p.m. March 11 at Salt Springs Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose. Donations accepted. Call 570-967-7275 for more information.

Tobyhanna State Park Hike, seven moderate miles on the park trails. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 near Oak Street, Dupont. 10:45 a.m. March 12. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-842-2230.

Active Adventures, orienteering, an introduction to using a map and compass on the orienteering course at Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. March 12. Free. 570-828-2319.

Full Moon Night Hike, a naturalist-led walk to explore nocturnal life under the illumination of the full moon. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 7 to 8:30 p.m. March 12. Free. 570-836-3835.

Birding at Frances Slocum, a leisurely walkwith Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Wyoming. 8:30 a.m. March 18. Free. 570-675-9900.

Active Adventures: Mindfulness, an introduction to techniques to become more focused, less stressed, more communicative and being alert to nature. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10:30 a.m. to noon. March 18. Free. 570-828-2319.

An eBird Primer, get to know the free online database that birders use to track their sightings. Local birder, Evan Mann will provide a live, online demonstration on how to use the eBird program to track your data. The event begins at 10 a.m. March 18, at Salt Springs Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose. Donations accepted. Call 570-967-7275 for more information.

Hike Event, beavers, giant boulders and a bounty of trails await intrepid winter hikers. Carol Hillstead will lead a 2.2 mile loop hike. Bruce Lake Natural Area, trailhead coordinates 41.359356, -75.203335, east side of route 390, just south of route 84. 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 18. Free, but registration is required. 570-839-1120.

Introduction to Fly-Fishing Program, expert members of Trout Unlimited will fishing strategy, fly-tying and essential trout-stream entomology. Kettle Creek Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to noon. March 18. $5 for Education Center members, $8 for non-members and children under 12. 570-629-3061.

Frank Gantz Trail Hike, 8.5 moderate miles between Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna state parks. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 near Oak Street, Dupont. 9:45 a.m. March 19. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-346-8010.

Forgotten Spruce Forest Birds. Biologist Doug Gross will teach about the state’s endangered and rare bird species that live in the mountain conifer forests. Learn how and why it is important to protect the forest habitats. The event starts at 7 p.m. March 24 at Nescopeck State Park. Free, registration required. Call 570-403-2006.

Tree Pruning Class, learn how to maintain optimum health and beauty by properly pruning your lanscape and fruit trees. Jim Kessler will discuss and demonstrate pruning on several species and explain why, where, how, what and when to prune. $10 per person, $5 for members. The event is 10 a.m. March 25, at Salt Springs Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Montrose. Call 570-967-7275 for more information.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch in Wilkes-Barre, accessed via First Avenue. 8 a.m. March 26. Free. 570-371-3951.

Mocanaqua Loop Trail, seven difficult miles. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 11:45 a.m. March 26. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-825-7200.

Woods in Your Backyard, a workshop desinged to teach participants how to create and enhance natural areas around their home. Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus, 1269 Old Route 115, Lehman. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 1. To register, visit bit.ly/2lQw1gd or call 570-825-1701.

Mushroom Inoculation. Learn how to grow Shiitake mushrooms on wooden logs with a take-home specimen. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 10 a.m. April 15. Free. 570-836-3835.

Hawley Earth Fest Celebration, celebrate Mother Earth April 21-23 during the Downtown Hawley Partnership event in conjunction with the Pike/Wayne Conservation. In its fourth year, events include learning about natural surroundings.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, sponsored by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch in Wilkes-Barre, accessed via First Avenue. 8 a.m. April 23. Free. 570-371-3951.

Take a hike through the woods to the Two Saps Sugar Shack for cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup on March 4 at the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_maplesyrup.jpg.optimal.jpgTake a hike through the woods to the Two Saps Sugar Shack for cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup on March 4 at the Pocono Environmental Education Center in Dingmans Ferry.

Learn about owls during a short presentation at Salt Springs Park on March 11.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_owls.jpg.optimal.jpgLearn about owls during a short presentation at Salt Springs Park on March 11.