Times Leader

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THIS WEEK: APRIL 6 to 12, 2012

Susquehanna Warrior Trail 5K Race and Fun Walk with medals to the top three runners in 11 age groups. Saturday with registration 9 to 10 a.m. and event at 10:15 a.m. Meet at the Playground Pavilion, Oak and North Canal streets, Shickshinny. Applications at susquehannawarriortrail.org. 542-7946.

Spring Waterfall Tour, a guided tour of area waterfalls. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. $20. 828-2319.

Caterpillars: Friend or Foe? A talk on the benefits of caterpillars with Master Gardener Roberta Troy. Wild Birds Unlimited, Dallas Shopping Center, Route 309, Dallas. 6 p.m. Thursday. Free. 675-9900.

Run for a Purpose, a 5K Run and Fun Walk for local relief efforts. Luzerne County Community College, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. April 14 with registration at 8 a.m. and event at 9 a.m. $15. 740-0732.

Birding at Frances Slocum State Park, a leisurely walk to seek out songbirds. Meet in the parking lot of the Environmental Education Center and boat rental, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 8:30 a.m. April 14, May 5 and June 16. Free. 675-9900.

Home Gardening Clinic, with the Penn State Master Gardeners of Wyoming County. Novice and advanced gardeners welcome. Programs include Edible Landscapes, Bats and Mammals in Your Backyard, Garden Tool Care and Sharpening, Common Vegetable Pests and Management Tips. Hibbard Dining Hall, Keystone College, La Plume. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14. $30 includes all programs, materials, morning refreshments and a hot buffet luncheon. 877-489-1398.

Growing Good, a gardening workshop on growing the best vegetables with the Penn State Master Gardeners. Anthracite Heritage Museum, 22 Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton. April 14 with registration and refreshments at 9 a.m. and workshop 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $5. 963-6842.

Early Spring Bird Walk, a two-hour stroll on the trails of the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary. Monroe County Environmental Education Center, 8050 Running Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 10 a.m. April 14. $5. 629-3061.

Salamander Egg Search, with nets and collection jars for up-close study. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 14. $5. 828-2319.

Tumblin’ Timberdoodles, an indoor and outdoor program about the American woodcock and its impressive courtship “Sky Dance.” Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 7:30 p.m. April 14. Free. Signup: 403-2006.

Dorflinger Sanctuary Hike, three moderate miles around the lakes and ponds plus a look at the restored glass-milling building. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. April 15. $8. 343-5144.

Bruce Lake Natural Area Hike, eight moderate miles with the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Meet at the Park and Ride, Route 315 and Oak Street, Dupont at 10:45 a.m. April 15. Bring lunch and water. Free. 814-2803.

Spring Peeper Search, catch, study and release these tiny tree frogs. Bring a flashlight. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 7 to 9 p.m. April 15. $5. 828-2319.

Top Ten, a workshop on container gardening, herbs, landscape elements and trees with the Penn State Master Gardeners. Anthracite Heritage Museum, 22 Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton. April 21 with registration and refreshments at 9 a.m. and workshop 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. $5. 963-6842.

Autism Walk and Awareness Fair, the 5th annual event sponsored by the Autism Coalition of Luzerne County. Forty Fort Recreation Complex. 10 a.m. April 21. Team registration due by April 2. Information at aclcwalk.com.

Tumbling Waters Hike, a three-mile loop with two waterfalls and a scenic overlook. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 4 p.m. April 21. Free. 828-2319.

Birding in the Kirby Park Natural Area, with the Greater Wyoming Valley Audubon Society. Meet in the parking lot near Dawes Avenue on the West Side of the Market Street Bridge, Wilkes-Barre. 8 a.m. April 22. Free. 542-5948.

Morning Bird Walk. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 8 to 10 a.m. April 22. Meet at the wooden bridge by the park office. Signup: 403-2006.

Bohen Run Trail Hike, 8.5 moderate miles with the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Meet at the First National Bank, Routes 118 and 29, Pikes Creek at 8:45 a.m. April 22. Bring lunch and water. Free. 655-4979.

Mount Minsi Hike, three steep miles on the Appalachian Trail with great views. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. April 22. $8. 343-5144.

Salamander and Frog Search, indoor and outdoor sessions with naturalist Rebecca Lesko. Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, Tunkhannock. 1 to 3 p.m. April 22. $5. Signup: 836-3835.

Sunday for Singles, a hike to meet new people and explore nature. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. April 22. Free. 828-2319.

Do It for the Kids, the 20th annual 5K Run and Kids Fun Run sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association. Begins at Millennium Circle, North Portal of River Common Park, North River Street, Wilkes-Barre. April 25 with registration at 5 p.m., 5K at 6 p.m. and awards at 6:45 p.m. 714-1246.

Move It Outside Day Guided Hike, a leisurely two-mile walk through Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 6 to 8 p.m. April 25. Signup: 403-2006.

Move It Outside Day, a short walk along the Larch Tree Trail. Meet in the parking lot at the bottom of Campground Road. No strollers. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 6 p.m. April 25. 696-3525.

Senior Citizens Hike, three easy miles along the dike along the Susquehanna River in Wilkes-Barre followed by a visit to the Widmann Art Gallery of King’s College and lunch at Katana. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9 a.m. April 26. $8. 343-5144.

Do It for the Kids, the 20th annual Walk-a-Thon sponsored by the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association, 1133 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort. April 28 with registration at 9 a.m., Walk-a-Thon at 10 a.m. and awards and post-walk celebration at 10:45 a.m. A post-walk party follows with games, food and music. 714-1246.

Spring into Action Park Cleanup. Nescopeck State Park, 1137 Honey Hole Road, Drums. 9 a.m. to noon April 28. Signup: 403-2006.

Spring into Gardening, a day of workshops on vegetable gardening, ground covers, pesticides, pruning, pollinators and more. With keynote speaker Paul Epsom of PBS’ “The Victory Garden.” Also: a plant sale and flea market. Technology Center, Penn State Wilkes-Barre, off Old Route 115, Lehman. April 28. $30. Reservations (by April 22): 877-489-1398 or

Big Pine Hill Hike, four moderate miles to the viewing platform on the Frank Gantz Trail in Thornhurst. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. April 29. $8. 343-5144.

State Gamelands 57 Hike, nine moderate miles with the Susquehanna Trailers Hiking Club. Meet at the First National Bank, Routes 118 and 29, Pikes Creek at 10:45 a.m. April 29. Free. 477-2210.

Moonlight Walk and Run, to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania. With children’s activities, educational tables and DJ music. Nay Aug Park, Scranton. April 29 with a Family Festival at 3 p.m., Kids Fun Run at 5 p.m., 5K and 10K Walk at 5:30 p.m. and 5K and 10K Run at 6 p.m. with Awards Ceremony at 7:15 p.m. Register at active.com. 969-7313.

Fungus, Moss and Lichens Walk, an identification walk with naturalist Deanna Lickey. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Covington Township. 6 to 7:30 p.m. May 1. $5. Signup: 842-1506.

Spencer Martin Memorial Bike Ride, a 30-mile ride through the scenic Back Mountain to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. May 6 with registration at 7 a.m. and ride at 8 a.m. Begins at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, off Old Route 115, Lehman Township. 820-8002.

Wildflower Walk. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 9 a.m. to noon. May 6. Free. 828-2319.

Woodbourne Sanctuary Hike, five steep miles around the Montrose preserve. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. May 6. $8. 343-5144.

Senior Citizens Hike, three moderate miles through the Drakes Creek Nature Conservancy followed by lunch at the Tokyo Tea House. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9 a.m. May 10. $8. 343-5144.

Warbler Weekend, with guided hikes to identify birds by sight, sound and habitat. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. May 11 to 13. $195 includes two nights lodging and six meals. 828-2319.

Nature and Wildlife Photography Weekend, with tips on capturing close-ups of flowers, insects, reptiles, amphibians and birds. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. May 11 to 13. $250 includes two nights lodging and six meals. 828-2319.

Landscaping with a Purpose, how to design a landscape to benefit the environment and reduce storm water, flooding and water pollution. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 12. $15 includes lunch and materials. 696-3525.

Evening Herpetology Walk, a 1.5-mile night hike to learn about native frogs, turtles, snakes and salamanders with naturalist Rick Koval. Lackawanna Environmental Institute, 10 Moffat Drive, Covington Township. 7:30 to 9 p.m. May 15. $5. Signup: 842-1506.

Introduction to Fishing, with a session on the basics followed by fishing in the ponds at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 10 a.m. to noon May 19 and June 2. $10. 828-2319.

Stony Cabin Ridge Hike, four or five moderate miles through Glen Summit. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9:15 a.m. May 20. $8. 343-5144.

Sunday for Singles, a hike to meet new people and explore nature. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. 1 to 3 p.m. May 20. Free. 828-2319.

Senior Citizens Hike, two easy miles on the grounds of the Holy Dormition Monastery in Sybertsville with an on-site lunch. Meet at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 N. Blakely St., Dunmore. 9 a.m. May 24. $8. 343-5144.

Spring Fling Family Nature Getaway, a weekend of hikes, animal presentations, fishing, canoeing, crafts, campfires and more. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Brisco Mountain and Emery roads, Dingmans Ferry. May 25-28. $205 includes three nights lodging and nine meals. 828-2319.

Bluebird Walk, a leisurely walk along the Bluebird Trail to check the boxes for baby bluebirds. Frances Slocum State Park, 565 Mount Olivet Road, Kingston Township. 9 a.m. May 26. Free. 675-9900.

Fight for Air Walk, a fundraiser for the American Lung Association with both dry or water-sprinkler routes. Followed by an ice-cream social. King’s College’s Betzler Field, Highland Park Boulevard, Wilkes-Barre Township. 10 a.m. June 9. 823-2212.

Breathe Deep Walk, a 5K walk and fun run to benefit the LUNGevity Foundation, which supports lung-cancer research. Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. June 9 with registration at 9 a.m. and event at 10:30 a.m. $25, $15 students. Information at lungevity.org.