Outdoors Listings: Oct. 18 to 24, 2013

First Posted:

THIS WEEK: Oct. 18 to 24, 2013

Bats! Oh My! All about this endangered — but not dangerous — amazing flying mammal. Salt Springs State Park, 2305 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 7 tonight. 570-967-7275.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, a 5K event to benefit the American Cancer Society. Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. Saturday with registration at 8:30 a.m. and walk at 9:30 a.m. 570-562-9749 or makingstrideswalk.org/wyomingvalley.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot of the Environmental Education Center and boat rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. Saturday. Free. 570-675-9900.

Upper Delaware Watershed Macroinvertebrate Identification Course, a hands-on workshop on how to identify and count macroinvertebrates living in local streams to determine stream health. Conference Room, Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Free. Registration: 215-369-1188, ext. 110.

Monroe County Farm Tour, a self-guided tour to seven farms in Saylorsburg, Stroudsburg and Kresgeville to learn about available products and farm management. Monroe County Conservation District, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. 570-629-3060 or mcconservation.org.

Fall Foliage Hikers Paradise, a leisurely guided walk through the autumn woods. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. $5. 570-828-2319.

Last Hurrah Paddle, a kayak cruise with the park naturalist to look for migrating birds and changing leaves. Bring your own watercraft. Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday. Registration: 570-676-0567.

Full Moon Hike, traversing Fall Brook Trail and a meadow by the light of the rising moon. Salt Springs State Park, 2395 Salt Springs Road, Franklin Forks. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday. 570-967-7275.

Nature at Night, a walk in the woods to listen for owls, look at stars, test your night vision and enjoy the music of the night. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. $5. 570-828-2319.

Saw-Whet Owl Banding. Join researchers from Pocono Avian Research Center to learn about the state’s smallest owls and how bird banding is used as a research tool. Park Amphitheater, Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. 7 p.m. Saturday. Bring a flashlight. Registration: 570-676-0567.

Hemlock Mountain and Pine Creek Vistas Hike, nine difficult miles. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Park & Ride, Route 309 near Blackman Street, Wilkes-Barre. 8:45 a.m. Sunday. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-735-4359.

Benjamin August Memorial Run and Walk, a three-mile course through South Wilkes-Barre beginning at Northampton Street with a finish on the River Common. Sponsored by the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Sunday with registration at 9:15 a.m. and event at 10:30 a.m. $20. 570-824-4646.

Bog Day 2013, exploring the bog via the floating boardwalk along with a program “Forest Forensics in the Bog Preserve” (10 a.m. to noon). Tannersville Cranberry Bog, 552 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. Sunday with two-hour tours at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meet in the bog parking lot. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Easy Does It Hike, a leisurely walk through the woods at a slow pace. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. Free. 570-828-2319.

Lake Malawi: Where Fishes Behave Like Birds, a travelogue by Dr. Bill Loftus on the African lake which has more species of fish than any other freshwater body of water. Presented by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. Monday. Free. 570-479-0400.

Tannersville Bog Walks, guided walks through the northern boreal bog with unique plants. Meet at the Bog parking lot, 552 Cherry Lane Road, Tannersville. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Nov. 13. $6. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Thursday Walks with Darryl, an interpretive hike with environmental educator Darryl Speicher through the Evergreen Nature Preserve in Stroud Township. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Van leaves 8:30 a.m. Thursday. $15. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Creekside Trail Hike, three easy miles along scenic Nescopeck Creek, followed by a potluck reception at Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Meet at the park office. 9 a.m. Thursday. Free. 570-403-2006.

Batty About Bats, learning about one of Halloween’s symbols. Park Amphitheater, Promised Land State Park, 100 Lower Lake Road, Greentown. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Registration: 570-676-0567.

Midnight Madness! Discover adaptations of nocturnal animals such as bats, opossums and fireflies. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7 p.m. Oct. 25. Free. Registration: 570-403-2006.

Live Bats: Fact or Fiction, understanding local bats and the benefit they provide in nature. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 1 p.m. Oct. 26. Free Halloween candy for the children. Free. 570-675-9900.

Wolf Visions. Meet a live wolf and learn about its role in keeping a balanced ecosystem. Lackawanna Environmental Education Center, 10 Moffatt Drive, Moscow. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26. $5. Registration: 570-842-1506.

Halloween Night Hike. Hear the legend of Irish Jack and seek out creatures that go bump in the night on this hour-long hike. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 26. $8. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the intersection of Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. 8 a.m. Oct. 27. Free. 570-542-5948.

Woodburne Forest Hike, five moderate miles. Meet at the Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309. 11:45 a.m. Oct. 27. Sponsored by the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. 570-655-4979.

Batty About Bats, dispelling myths and fears about bats and appreciating their special qualities. Engine House, 99 Towanda St., White Haven. 6:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Free. 570-443-8776.

Birding at Brig Field, a day trip to the Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in southern New Jersey, a hot spot for a diversity of waterfowl and raptors. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 7 a.m. Oct. 31. $20. Registration: 570-629-3061.

Thursday Walks with Darryl, an interpretive hike with environmental educator Darryl Speicher through the Mader Property at the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Hamilton Township. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Van leaves 8:30 a.m. Oct. 31. $15. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Thursday Walks with Darryl, an interpretive hike with environmental educator Darryl Speicher through the Alpine Rose Property in Eldred Township. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Van leaves 8:30 a.m. Nov. 7. $15. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Game On! Learn about the environment by playing Animalopoly, Plants and Predators and Orienteering. Salt Springs State Park, Silver Creek Road, Franklin Forks. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8. Donation. 570-945-3239.

Run Against Hunger, with 5k and 10k runs and a two-mile walk to benefit the St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. Scranton Running Company, 3 W. Olive St. Nov. 9 with registration at 7:30 a.m. and event at 9 a.m. $25 (10k), $20 advance; $30 day of event. 570-955-0921.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, with Bruce Troy of Wild Birds Unlimited. Meet in the parking lot of the Environmental Education Center and boat rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. Nov. 9. Free. 570-675-9900.

Holiday Bows and Boughs, creating holiday decorations using natural materials which are provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Sportsman Series: White-Tailed Deer from A to Z, talks on the prevalent mammal by three speakers. Luncheon provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10. $20. Reservations: 570-828-2319.

Thursday Walks with Darryl, an interpretive hike with environmental educator Darryl Speicher through Conklin Park in Jackson Township. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Van leaves 8:30 a.m. Nov. 14. $15. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Owl Prowl, an exploration of the Vosburg area near Tunkhannock to seek out great horned, screech, barred and other owls. Meet at the Weis Market, Village Shopping Center, Route 29, Tunkhannock. 7 p.m. Nov. 15. Free. 570-639-5785.

Winter: How Nature Readies for the Worst! A talk by naturalist Rick Koval on nature’s fascinating cold-weather adaptations. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. Nov. 16. Free. 570-996-1500.

Bald Eagles of Northeastern Pennsylvania, an illustrated talk by professional wildlife photographers Jim and Joan Borden, who have documented eagle behavior in the area. Presented by the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 105 Irem Road, Dallas. 7 p.m. Nov. 18. Free. 570-479-0400.

Thursday Walks with Darryl, an interpretive hike with environmental educator Darryl Speicher through the Nob Preserve in Mount Pocono. Meet at the Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. Van leaves 8:30 a.m. Nov. 21. $15. Reservations: 570-629-3061.

Introduction to Astronomy, an evening of star gazing and learning about the constellations. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 23. $10. Adults only. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet at the intersection of Market Street and Dawes Avenue, Kingston. 8 a.m. Nov. 24. Free. 570-542-5948.

Local Waterfowl, an exploration around Harveys Lake and other local ponds in search of waterfowl with most birding done from your auto. Bring binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides. Meet at the Lakeside Skillet, Pole 279 Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. for breakfast or 9 a.m. for birding. 570-479-0400.

Lenape of the Eastern Woodlands, learning about Lenape culture including the food, clothing and shelter of the local hunter-gatherers. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. $20. Age 10 and older. 570-828-2319.

Introduction to Astronomy, an evening of star gazing and learning about the constellations. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 7. $10. Adults only. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Introduction to Snowshoeing, learning the basics with equipment provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 9 to 11 a.m. Dec. 8. $10. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Make a Holiday Bird Treat, using bagels, peanuts and fruit. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Memorial Highway. 10 a.m. Dec. 14. Free. 570-675-9900.

Winter Survival Hike, building a shelter, trying your hand at firemaking and learing other useful skills for surviving in the winter woods. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14. $20. Adults only. Registration: 570-828-2319.

Around the Campfire, a leisurely dusk hike that ends at the campfire ring with s’mores provided. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 4:30 to 6 p.m. Dec. 14. $5. 570-828-2319.

Hibernation Hike, learning how different plants and animals survive in the winter. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 15. $5. 570-828-2319.

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. Dec. 22. Free. 570-542-5948.

First Day Hike. Join the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society for a two-to-three-mile hike through Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. Meet at the Visitor Center. 1 p.m. Jan. 1. 570-474-5884.