- Times Leader

First Posted:

THIS WEEK: Oct. 24 to 30, 2014

Live Bats: Fact or Fiction, a talk on these nocturnal mammals with Susan Gallagher of the Carbon County Environmental Education Center. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 570-675-9900.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park Boat Launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. 570-542-5948.

Salt Springs State Park Hike, seven moderate miles. Meet at the Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. Bring lunch and water. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-346-8010.

Cranberry Bog Walk, a 2.5-hour exploration of the northern boreal bog with novel plant and animal life. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 166 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 10 a.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 12; 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Fall Astronomy Sessions, an illustrated lecture followed by weather-permitted telescope observation of the moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. Thomas G. Cupillari Astronomical Observatory, Keystone College, La Plume. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays through Nov. 14. Free. 570-945-8402.

Birding Trip to the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge on the southern coast of New Jersey, a hotspot for diverse species of waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. Meet at the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. Pack a lunch and binoculars. $24. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Disco Hike, a two-hour autumn “discovery” hike with environmental educator Brian Hardiman through the Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. $5. 570-629-3061.

Owl Day, exhibits on owl myths and legends, dissection of owl pellets, Native American stories about owls, and live owls from the Delaware Valley Raptor Center. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. Free. Registration: 570-836-3835.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. $2. 570-828-2319.

Benjamin August Memorial Run, a three-mile run and walk through South Wilkes-Barre with a start at Northampton Street and finish on the River Common. Race-day registration at the Jewish Community Center, 60 S. River St., Wilkes-Barre Sunday, Nov. 2 at 9:15 a.m. with run at 10:30 a.m. Followed by awards and refreshments. 570-824-4646.

Sunday for Singles, an opportunity to explore nature and make new friends. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2. Free. 570-828-2319.

Hiking Series Finale, three miles along the Farmstead Trail followed by a potluck reception. Bring a dish to share. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. Free. 570-403-2006.

An Integrated Approach to Bioharmonic Agriculture, a talk by organic farmer Sue Bullock of Back Achers Farm who discusses her experiences with organic and sustainable farming.

Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Open Space Along the Brodhead, the first of two hikes exploring Brodhead Creek from its beginning in Canadensis to its confluence with Paradise Creek. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 6. $15 includes transportation from site to site. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Full Moon Hike, along Fall Brook Trail to the meadow to watch the rising moon. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, off Route 29, Franklin Forks. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. Donation. 570-945-3239.

Birdfeeding Basics, including feeder types, winter bird identification and more. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 8. $5. 570-629-3061.

Open Space Along the Brodhead, an exploration of Brodhead Creek beginning at its confluence with Paradise Creek to the Delaware River. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13. $15. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Bear Creek Preserve Hike, five difficult miles at the southern end of the preserve, located five miles north of Blakeslee on Route 115. 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Free. 570-403-2006.

Game On! End the week with some family fun and games in the Wheaton House including Animalopoly, Plants and Predators, and Orienteering. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, off Route 29, Franklin Forks. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. 570-945-3239.

A Murder of Crows, a documentary about the world of crows. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Well-Water Protection and Testing, a session for private well owners to ensure adequate and safe drinking water. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 15. Free. 570-629-3061.

Ecozone Discovery Room. Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave and dig in a fossil pit in this room of hands-on exhibits. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15. $2. 570-828-2319.

Lenape of the Eastern Woodlands, a program about the day-to-day activities, food, clothing and shelter of the local hunter-gatherers. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. $20. 570-828-2319.

Pennsylvania Boreal Conifer Forest Bird Challenges and Opportunities, a talk by wildlife biologist Doug Gross on this specialized habitat, the birds that depend on it and management techniques used to protect them. Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17. Free. 570-479-0400.

Natural History of the White-Tailed Deer, a discussion of deer management, conflicts between deer and humans and the impact of the deer population in Pennsylvania with TV personality and outdoor writer Ron Tussel. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township. 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Autumn Mystery Birding Trip, a field trip to a surprise birding destination with environmental educator Brian Hardiman. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20. $24. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Turkey Trot, the fifth annual 5K Walk and Fun Run, sponsored by Geisinger Medical Center. Nay Aug Park, Scranton. 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. $20. Register at events.geisinger.org or 800-322-5437.

Virtual Hike of the Appalachian Trail. Jim Yeich shares his adventures along the trail through stories and a slide show. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, off Route 29, Franklin Forks. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22. Donation. 570-945-3239.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 23. 570-542-5948.

Local Waterfowl, an exploration of local areas in search of waterfowl for both beginner and experienced birders. Meet at Weis Market, Village Shopping Center, 580 Route 29, Tunkhannock. 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29. Free. 570-586-3702.

Holiday Bows and Boughs. Create your own holiday decorations using natural materials. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30. $10. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Winter Snow, searching for winter wonders including animal tracks. Bring snowshoes or cross-country skis. Postponed if no snow. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, off Route 29, Franklin Forks. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. 570-945-3239.

Introduction to Astronomy, an evening of stargazing and learning about constellations. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. $10. 570-828-2319.

Winter Ecology Hike to discover how different plants and animals survive the winter. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, Dec. 7. $5. 570-828-2319.

Game On! End the week with some family fun and games in the Wheaton House including Animalopoly, Plants and Predators, and Orienteering. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, off Route 29, Franklin Forks. 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12. 570-945-3239.

Make a Holiday Bird Treat. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Free. 570-675-9900.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 28. 570-542-5948.

First Day Hike, a three-mile walk through various habitats in Hickory Run State Park. Meet at the Gould Trail parking area, Route 534, White Haven. 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 1. Free. 570-474-5884.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the parking lot by the Nesbitt Park boat launch, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25. 570-542-5948.

Geocaching. A geocache has been placed at Eckley Miners Village for geocachers participating in this international hide-and-seek game. Use a handheld GPS device, a smart phone or plug the coordinates into an online mapping program such as Google maps. Once found, the geocache should be replaced exactly where it was found for the next seekers. Each geocache contains a log

book and pencil for recording the find. Coordinates at geocaching.com under the name “A Miner’s Cache.” 570-636-2070.