Bird the Ridge Hike Series: Conservation through Observation

Visit www.kittatinnyridge.org to learn more about the Kittatinny Ridge.

Public Hikes

Delaware Water Gap Region

June 2nd, 2013 l 7:30am - 3:00 or 4:00pm

Heavy rain cancels

Appalachian Trail - Wolf Rocks and Cherry Valley Overlook

Hike the Appalachian Trail along the Kittatinny Ridge north of Bangor, PA.  Total 10 miles, moderate pace but frequent stops, with some rough terrain and rock scrambling but minimal exposure. Hike will start at the trailhead, go 2.5 miles in one direction and comeback where people can drop out, then go in the other direction and come back.

MEETING PLACE: Parking lot on west side of Rte 191. From North: Exit I-80 at 191 South. Proceed on 191 S for about 8 miles to Rt. 611. Continue approximately 2 miles south on 191 from 611. Parking on right. From South: At Wind Gap follow Rte 512 North to Bangor, left on Rte 191 North, go about 4.25 miles, lot is at top of hill on left after yellow pedestrian crossing sign. Parking is limited. Carpooling is recommended.

For details on parking options at the trailhead email the leader by Friday May 31.

Pre-registration is not required. Quest ions?

Susan Charkes, susan@suasncharkes.com

Lehigh Gap Region

June 8th, 2013 l 6:15pm - 10:00pm

No rain date

Lehigh Gap Nature Center

A 5-6 mile nighttime hike at the Lehigh Gap Nature Center. This moderate to difficult hike ascends about 1,000 feet and includes listening for the Eastern Whippoor- will during the last mile when walking

back down on Translater Lane.

MEETING PLACE: Lehigh Gap Nature Center

Pre-registrat ion is not required. Quest ions?

lgnc@ptd.net or 610-760-8889

Hawk Mountain/Pinnac le Region

June 2nd, 2013 l 10:00am

Thunderstorms cancel

From Port Clinton to Hamburg Reservoir

Shuttle to Port Clinton, and enjoy a five-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail. Expert birder Dave Kruel will educate the group on bird identification and help collect data on the number/species of birds identified

on the hike to contribute to a larger Ridgewide citizen science effort.

MEETING PLACE: Meet at the Hamburg Reservoir NE of Hamburg at the end of Reservoir Rd, one mile north of Mountain Rd and 1.5 miles north of Old US 22. No intersection with I-78.

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Karl Gardner at 610-987-3281 or

kargardner@aol.com

Swatara Gap Region

June 14, 2013 l 8:00am - 3:00pm

Rain date June 25th

Birdwalk in Fort Indiantown Gap Grasslands

Only one percent of Pennsylvania’s native grasslands still exist. David McNaughton of Fort Indiantown Gap, will lead a tour of unique grassland habitat, which holds Grasshopper Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks,

Blue-winged and Prairie Warblers, American Kestrels, and rarer species not found elsewhere in the region.

Meeting Place: Meet at Ft. Indiantown Gap Community Club Boxcar Café at the intersection of Clement and Fisher Avenues.

Pre-registration is not required. QUE STION S?

David McNaughton, davmcnaugh@pa.gov

717.861.8408

Susquehanna Water Gaps Region

June 1, 2013 l 7:30am - 12:00pm

Rain date June 2nd

State Game Lands 211 - Cold Spring Trail to Rausch Gap and back along the railroad bed.

Join Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club for a citizen science birding along the Kittatinny. Leisurely pace, moderate terrain, 5 miles.

Meeting Place: Meet at Memorial Lake State Park- Upper Road Parking area, near restrooms, Grantville, PA. www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findapark/memoriallake/

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Lorrie Preston at 717-732-5615 or

lpreston5156@gmail.com

Susquehanna Water Gaps Region

June 1, 2013 l 9:45am - 2:45pm

No rain date

Along the Appalachian Trail to the Cove Mountain shelter

This is an 8 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail up to the Cove Mountain shelter, where the group will stop for lunch and return. The hike will include birding stops, but otherwise this will be a relatively fast paced hike. The approximate total elevation change is 1000 feet.

Meeting PLac e: Duncannon at Tubby’s parking lot

MUST PRE-REGISTER:

Peter Johnson at 805-300-4698

North Mountain Region

June 9, 2013 l 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Rain date June 16

Tuscarora Trail atop North Mountain

Join Paul Zeph, Audubon PA’s Director of Conservation, for a fun, family ramble along the Tuscarora Trail atop North Mountain. Learn about nesting songbirds, listen for singing Cerulean Warblers, and enjoy the scenic vistas of the Cumberland Valley.

Meeting Place: Waggoner’s Gap HawkWatch Parking Lot

Pre-registration is not required. QUE STION S?

Paul Zeph, pzeph@audubon.org

717-574-6668

WHAT TO BRING:

Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellent, a hat, binoculars, snacks and fluids. Wear sturdy, close-toed hiking shoes preferably with ankle support; many of the walks will include hiking on uneven or rocky surfaces.

Dress for the weather, but long pants are recommended.

Upcoming events on the Kittatinny

Sweet Arrow Lake Park, Schuylkill County

Fly-tying, bird feeding and rock hopping in the great Kittatinny outdoors!

Feb. 12, 19 & 28 ~ Fly Tying Classes at Sweet Arrow Lake Park
Sweet Arrow Lake Park, Pine Grove, PA
Join veteran fisherman and fly tier Bruce Schneck and other members of Trout Unlimited for an instructive evening aimed at a great outdoor sport. Whether you are experienced or just a beginner you will be sure to pick up some tips and swap some fish stories. For more information, visit the Sweet Arrow Lake Park events schedule.

Feb. 16 ~ Feed the Birds at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Join a full day program focuses on common winter birds and birdfeeding. For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary events schedule.

Feb. 17 ~ Manada Conservancy Volunteer Appreciation Reception
Manada Conservancy Office, Hummelstown, PA
Join Manada Conservancy again this year for a volunteer appreciation reception in the Manada Conservancy office! Light refreshments, conversation, and recognition of our volunteers has become an annual tradition. If you have volunteered for Manada Conservancy, or if you are considering it, come to this open house-style event—meet some of the Board members, and bask in the sunshine of their gratitude. For more information, visit the Manada Conservancy events schedule.

Mar. 2 ~ Hawk Mountain Hike with Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Meet at 9:00AM at the Visitor Center. 6-mile loop to the Sunset Overlook, North Lookout, East Rocks, River of Rocks, South Lookout. One section of boulder scrambling, several sections of rock-hopping, and generally rough trails with one or two steep ascents/descents make this a moderate to difficult hike, despite the short distance. Bring lunch and fluids. Trail fee applies if you are not a member of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. For more information, visit the Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club hiking schedule.

Upcoming events on the Kittatinny!

Heart for Hawks, Hikes and History!  Much happening on and around the Ridge.

• Feb. 9 & 10 ~ Heart for Hawks at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
  Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA...Children ages 12 and under who bring a valentine to post in the Visitor Center receive free trail admission. Hawk or nature-themed valentines encouraged. For more information, visit the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary events schedule.
  
   
• Feb. 9 ~ Eagle Watching Weekend with Jacobsburg Env. Ed. Center
  Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, PA...The upper Delaware River is one of the best places in the east to observe wintering Bald Eagles. Join us for these trips as we venture up along the river in the scenic Delaware Water Gap Natiomal Recreation Area from Arrow Island to Milford in search of these magnificent birds. The rare Golden Eagle has also been observed on these trips in the past. Other possibilities along the river include waterfowl such as Common Goldeneyes, Buffleheads and Common Mergansers. This is a great opportunity for photographers. For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.
  
  
• Feb. 9 ~ 7th Annual Blue Mountain Winter Ramble
  Sherwood Drive Appalachian Trail parking area, Middlesex Township, PA...We'll start on the A.T. at Sherwood Drive, then climb Blue Mtn. at an easy pace, continuing on the Darlington Trail for a short distance, then turn around and return. With the leaves off the trees, we'll have spectacular views of the Cumberland Valley and southern Perry County. We'll stop for a snack break at the Darlington Shelter. If snow or ice makes the trip up Blue Mtn. too difficult, we'll choose an easier hike on the A.T. instead. For more information, visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's Hiking and Activity schedule.
  
  
• Feb. 10 ~ A Decade of Research at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
  Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA...Dr. Diane Husic, Chair of Biological Sciences at Moravian College, is a member of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center Board of Directors and serves as our volunteer Director of Research. Here she will talk about the research that has been conducted at the center in the past ten years and give us some hints about what research may be undertaken in the future. For more information, visit the Lehigh Gap Nature Center events schedule.
  
  
• Feb. 12 ~ Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: The First Frontier
  Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA...Join Scott Weidensaul, author of the new book The First Frontier, for an exploration of this older, wilder, darker period on Eastern history, when the land between the Atlantic and the Appalachians was contested ground – fought over by people who, despite differences of race, birth and language, considered it theirs, and worth dying for. For more information, visit the Wildwood Park events schedule.

Join us for the second Kittatinny Science Summit on February 27

Wednesday, February 27, 2013  9:30 a.m to 3:30 p.m.

Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA ~ RSVP

Please join us for the second Kittatinny Science and Research Summit to be held at Lehigh Gap Nature Center, 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington, PA on February 27.

This year’s summit will focus on “Closing the Gaps.” We will learn about ongoing research and monitoring projects that are gathering information that is important to conservation of the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor. And we will have several breakout sessions to help us plan new initiatives for research and monitoring that gather critical information for conservation.  Learn more about last year's Summit.

Diane Husic of Moravian College and Lehigh Gap Nature Center will moderate the Summit. Presenters will include:

• Kim McKee, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Marian Orlouski, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Elizabeth Crisfield, Penn State University
• Terry Master, East Stroudsburg University
• Dave Mitchell, PA Game Commission

In addition, there will be several breakout sessions including:

• Planning for an all Kittatinny Ridge breeding bird survey
• Addressing threats and planning for habitat quality assessment along the ridge and corridor

These sessions will focus on concrete ways to gather information to fill in data gaps in our knowledge of the Ridge to inform our conservation work.

We will conclude with ideas for moving forward with monitoring and filling in the data gaps, plus concrete methods for addressing some of the threats, such as right-of-way management.

Lunch will be provided to summit participants. A final, detailed agenda will be sent to participants prior to the summit. Registration will be at 9:30 a.m with the Summit beginning at 9:45.

The Summit is part of the work of the Kittatinny Coalition (http://kittatinnyridge.org/) and is funded in part by PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Lehigh Valley Greenway, Conservation Landscape Initiative.

For directions to Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s Osprey House, see http://lgnc.org/maps-directions.

PLEASE RSVP TO danlgnc@ptd.net BY FEBRUARY 20. THANKS.

"Schuylkill on the Move" posts 2013 Hike and Walk Schedule

Schuylkillon the Move has posted its 2013 guided hike and walk schedule with activities taking place across the public lands and trails of Schuylkill County.  Events such as the Swatara Soiree (Sept. 14th) and Pinnacle Trek (Oct. 19th) feature popular recreation and scenic viewing areas along the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail.  Mark your calendars to explore the Kittatinny with knowledgable hike guides in 2013!  Or use this list to inspire and plan your next foray into the outdoors.  The Kittatinny Coalition web site also features a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities across the Ridge on the Recreation page.

Schuylkill on the Move encourages people to take positive steps toward good health and advocates for more walkable communities. SOM is a project of Schuylkill County’s VISION in partnership with the Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau. The SchuylkillConservation District partners with SOM as it promotes connections with our environment. Info: “Porcupine Pat”: porcupinepat@yahoo.com or 570.622.4124 x 113

Let's Talk about Recreation and Conservation in Northern Lebanon County! Public Meeting Jan 31st.

Calling all trail and outdoor recreation enthusiasts in Northern Lebanon County!   The area boasts many natural, historic and recreational resources including the Kittatinny Ridge, 18 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Swatara State Park,Swatara Creek Water Trail, and many more.  Join the Northern Lebanon Recreation and Parks Commission in a conversation on Jan. 31st.  Your input is needed!

Upcoming Events along the Kittatinny

Much to do along the Ridge and Corridor during the winter!  There are many hikes, festivals and educational opportunities coming up:

Jan. 19 ~ Woodpeckers of Jacobsburg
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Wind Gap, PA
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center has some of the best woodpecker habitat in the Lehigh Valley area. Join us as we search the park for local species of woodpeckers like the elusive Pileated Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.

Jan. 19 ~ Wild About Winter at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Full day event includes free information about winter wildlife, a live raptor program, children's activity and winter walk. For more information, visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's event schedule.

Jan. 19 ~ Darlington Trail Hike with SATC: Tower Road to Lamb's Gap
Tower Road, State Game Lands parking area, Hamden, PA
Hike the eastern half of the Darlington Trail (east to west) starting at Tower Road through Bryson Hollow followed by an easy climb to the ridge of Blue Mountain and ending at Lamb's Gap PA Game Lands parking lot. Optional post-hike dinner at the Waterfront Bar & Grill in nearby Marysville. For more information or to register with hike leader, visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's Hiking and Activity Schedule.

Jan. 25 ~ Night Hike to Auburn Overlook with BMECC
Mountain Road, Tilden Township, PA
Meet at 7:00PM at the parking lot on Mountain Road in Tilden Township for SGL110. GPS coordinates for start are N 40.55202, W 076.054291. Bring flashlights, preferably with red or green bulbs. This is up the mountain from the base, about a 3 mile hike which is not family friendly. For more information or to contact hike leader, visit Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club's Hike & Activity Schedule.

Jan. 29 ~ Lecture Series - The Coal Mining Patch Towns of Stony Valley
Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA
Explore the former coal mining towns of Stony Valley with Brandy M. Watts Martin in a program sponsored by the Friends of Wildwood. During the mid-1800s, the communities of Rattling Run in Dauphin County and Yellow Springs, Rausch Gap and Gold Mine in Lebanon County were thriving industrial towns. Explore their ruins with Brandy, who has been studying the area since, as a third grader, she learned that a hotel once existed in the briar-covered ruins of Cold Springs. For more information, visit the Wildwood Lake Park events schedule.

Feb 10. ~ A Decade of Research at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA
Dr. Diane Husic, Chair of Biological Sciences at Moravian College, is a member of the Lehigh Gap Nature Center Board of Directors and serves as our volunteer Director of Research. Here she will talk about the research that has been conducted at the center in the past ten years and give us some hints about what research may be undertaken in the future. For more information, visit the Lehigh Gap Nature Center events schedule.

Upcoming events along the Kittatinny Ridge

Winter is an exciting time to explore the trails and nature centers of the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor!   Mark your calendars and "Experience its Ridgeness" in early 2013.  A Happy New Year to all from the Kittatinny Coalition!

Jan. 1 ~ New Years Day Pinnacle Hike with BMECC
Hamburg Reservoir Parking Lot, Hamburg, PA
Meet at 9:00 AM at the Hamburg Reservoir Parking Lot for this 8 mile hike. We will hike the AT to Pulpit Rock before continuing to the Pinnacle. Start off the New Year by keeping your resolution to get out and hike. Bring water, snacks and lunch. We will spend some time at the lookouts to enjoy the views. For more information or to register with leader, visit Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club's Hike Schedule.

Jan. 5 ~ Shikellamy Trail to A.T. Clarks Valley Shuttle Hike with SATC
Clarks Valley Rd. A.T. Crossing, State Game Lands #211, PA
Beautiful uphill hike to A.T. and we will follow the A.T. back down to Clarks Valley Road. Wear blaze orange.  For more information or to register with leader, visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's hike schedule.

Jan. 12 ~ Exploring the World of Black Bears at Wildwood Park
Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA
Are bears true hibernators? How much can they weigh? What do bears eat? Come and find out at the Creature Feature Story Time! Stories will be read aloud in a group setting where the world of the Black Bear comes to life. We will be looking at tracks, habitat, teeth, and scat throughout the morning. This program is suitable for children ages 3-6 and their parents.  For more information, visit Wildwood Lake Park's event calendar.

Jan. 15 ~ Tall Timber by Van Wagner, Lecture Series at Wildwood
Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA
Songwriter, historian and Pennsylvania logger Van Wagner will present a program celebrating the past and present of Pennsylvania’s timber heritage. This program, sponsored by the Friends of Wildwood, covers how timber was harvested over the past several centuries and most importantly WHO harvested it. The program also focuses on the rafting days when millions of board feet of Pennsylvania Timber were assembled into various styles of rafts and piloted down streams and rivers.  For more information, visit Wildwood Lake Park's event calendar.

Jan. 19 ~ Woodpeckers of Jacobsburg
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Wind Gap, PA
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center has some of the best woodpecker habitat in the Lehigh Valley area.  Join us as we search the park for local species of woodpeckers like the elusive Pileated Woodpecker and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.  For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.

Jan. 19 ~ Wild About Winter at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Full day event includes free information about winter wildlife, a live raptor program, children's activity and winter walk.  For more information, visit Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's event schedule.

Upcoming events and hikes along the Kittatinny Ridge

Upcoming events along the Kittatinny Ridge.  Speakers, workshops and hikes, oh my!  Mark your calendars and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 Nov. 20 ~ Peter's Mountain to Victoria Trail Hike with SATC
State Game Lands #211, Middle Paxton Township, PA
Meet at parking lot of junction PA-325 and PA-225 / Clark's Valley Road for car shuttle. Hike begins on Peter's Mountain PA-225 and ends at Victoria Trail along Clarks Valley Road. Lunch at Peters Mountain Shelter. For more information or to contact leader visit Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club's hike schedule.

 Nov. 23, 24 & 25 ~ Buddy Boy Vineyard's First Anniversary Celebration
Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyard, Duncannon, PA
Perry County's Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyard, nestled into Cove Mountain below the Appalachian Trail near its Susquehanna River crossing, is celebrating its First Anniversary of its opening with a bang. Enjoy live music, local wines and freshly steamed lobster while gazing up at the forested ridge. For more information visit Buddy Boy Winery & Vineyard's web site.

 Nov. 29 ~ "Laughing & Learning on the Lehigh River" at LGNC
Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Slatington, PA
Lehigh Gap Nature Center 2012 Speaker Series: Jerry McAward is an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer Educator and past chairman of ACA’s River Kayak Committee. He holds degrees in physical education/exercise
physiology and commercial recreation For more information or the full Speaker Series schedule, visit LGNC's Calendar.

 Dec. 1 ~ Hawk Mountain Sanctuary's Holiday Open House
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
A full-day event to get you into the holiday spirit as well as outside! The annual holiday open house features complimentary hot cider and $1 soft pretzels, great gift ideas, an art exhibit by wildlife artist David Hughes, nature-themed activities and our signature live owl program. Special this year will be a Flying Squirrel program, and bald eagle video clips by John and Yoke DiGiorgio, authors of "The Nesting Diaries: The Triumphant Journey of Four Bald Eagle Chicks." For more information visit Hawk Mountain's event listing.

 Dec. 2 ~ Fort Dietrich Snyder and the Appalachian Trail
Rt. 183 Appalachian Trail crossing, Bethel, PA
Meet at 2:00 PM on Rt. 183 on top of the Blue Mountain for a family-friendly hike sponsored by Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club and led by Schuylkill County environmental educator, Porcupine Pat. This is an easy 3 mile interpretive hike to the monument for the fort location. See a natural spring along an abandoned farm pond and the group will continue to hike the Appalachian Trail. For more information visit BMECC hike schedule.

 Dec. 2 ~ Creating Natural Ornaments Workshop
Wildwood Lake Park, Harrisburg, PA
Children are invited to make holiday ornaments using pine cones, milkweed pods and other natural materials. Everything will be supplied to create a small work of art to decorate your home or tree. Just bring your creativity. For more information visit Wildwood Park's event schedule.

"Climate Change is Not a Spectator Sport!," Conversation with Dr. Diane Husic

Please join Manada Conservancy for a conversation about climate change, its impact in Pennsylvania, and the complexities of developing climate policy at the state, national and international levels. Also discussed will be ways that the public can move from spectators of the media and political debates on this issue to becoming active participants in helping scientists and policy makers better understand the environmental and social issues associated with the challenge of the 21st century.

Manada Conservancy's presenter is Diane Husic, PhD, Professor and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences at Moravian College and co-coordinator of the Kittatinny Science Summit. Moravian College is a credentialed civil society observer for the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and Dr. Husic has attended the international U.N. COP meetings as an official delegate for the past three years. She is currently serving as a member of the state Climate Change Adaptation Steering Committee.

November 1, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
Hershey Derry Township Historical Society
40 Northeast Drive, Hershey, PA

Fall Festival at Potter's Farm in Pine Grove this Saturday

For fall fun, head out to Potter's Farm near Pine Grove, PA for their Fall Festival this coming Saturday, Oct. 27 -- Hayrides, eco-house tours, free massages, art classes, pumpkin painting, and so much more!  Across the valley from the Kittatinny, Potters Farm is one of Schuylkill County's man farms committed to sustainable agriculture.

Stony Valley Spook Hike scheduled for Halloween

Lebanon Daily News reports:

Ever wonder if there was a catamount lurking in the shadows of Stony Valley, or if the haunting train whistles upon the wind could still be heard? This Halloween night is your chance.

Historian Brandy M. Watts Martin will return as the Stony Valley Spook Hike leader through the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club.  Watts Martin has been studying the mountains between the Susquehanna and Schuylkill rivers in State Game Lands No. 211 for the last 15 years.

The once annual spook hike was temporarily suspended while Watts Martin pursued her degree in American Studies from Penn State Harrisburg.   "For years people have been asking me when I will lead another spook hike," Watts Martin said in a news release. "I thought what a great way to spend Halloween this year telling the ghost stories everyone always loved. After all, it always makes it more interesting when they're true."

The 7-mile hike starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Western Rail-Trail parking lot along Gold Mine Road on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Hikers will travel along the abandoned Schuylkill & Susquehanna Railroad in the dark to the Rausch Gap Cemetery, where the hike breaks to hear tales of ghosts and ghouls, murderers and mischief-makers along the abandoned railroad. Participants should bring a flashlight, extra batteries and a drink.

In case of inclement weather, the hike will be canceled.  For more information about the Stony Valley Spook Hike, check out Watts Martin's website at www.StonyValley.com.

Upcoming events along the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian Trail!



 Fishing Derby at Colonel Denning S.P. (Photo: Cumberlink.com)

Mark your calendars for upcoming events along the Kittatinny Ridge and Appalachian trail!   Hikes, interpretive walks, lecturers, workshops and various other outdoor and educational activities are constantly happening at centers like Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Wildwood Park and various State Parks within the Kittatinny Ridge and Corridor.  Events for the whole family!  See a photo gallery from the recent Fishing Derby held at Colonel Denning State Park in Doubling Gap!

Oct. 13 ~ Lecture Series: "Pennsylvania Breeding Birds"
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton, PA
Thousands of hours of surveys over six years resulted in Pennsylvania's Second Breeding Bird Atlas. Learn more about the surprising changes in our state's wild bird populations, including a dramatic decline in ruffed grouse, a shift of horned larks and the expansion of many big-woods birds. For more information visit, Hawk Mountain's event listing.

Oct. 13 ~ Volunteer Workday at Wildwood Park
Wildwood Park, Harrisburg, PA
Take this opportunity to work outside and help Wildwood’s continued park and habitat enhancement projects. Pre-registration is not required but please let us know if you are bringing a group of six or more. For more information, visit Wildwood Park's event listing.

Oct. 18 ~ Flat Rock Overlook/Warner Trail Loop Hike
Colonel Denning State Park, Doubling Gap, PA
This is a 4-5 mile loop hike that follows the Flat Rock Trail to the "Wagon Wheel" of trails. We will then continue on to the Overlook which is a natural rock outcrop that affords a view of the great Cumberland Valley. For more information, visit the Susquehanna Appalachian Trail Club hike listing.

Oct. 18 ~ "Nature Detectives" Hike at Cowan's Gap
Cowan's Gap State Park, Fort Loudon, PA
Who lives at the park? Join the naturalist as we look for clues! Start at the park office for a walk around the park looking for evidence left behind by some the local residents. For more information, visit the DCNR event listing.

Oct. 20-21 ~ "The Kittatinny Ridge" at Jacobsburg Env. Ed. Center
Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center, Wind Gap, PA
Join in for this two day workshop focusing on the Kittatinny Ridge. Presenters will include Little Gap Bird Observatory, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, Moravian College, Wildlands Conservancy, Audubon Pennsylvania and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. For more information visit the DCNR event listing.