Environmental Education Center Programs to Begin Jan. 14

The days are getting longer, so escape to the woods to enjoy all that Jacobsburg has to offer: beautiful natural areas, as well as recreation, education and family events.

community programs for winter/spring 2012:

Winter Birding, Tracking and Plant Identification Walk

• Saturday, Jan. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Join us for this winter walk along the Lehigh River in search of winter birds, plants and animal tracks. Participants should dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and bring binoculars, lunch and beverages.
• To register, contact Bill Sweeney at wisweeney@pa.gov or (610) 746-2808.

Eagles and Old-Growth of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

• Saturday, Jan. 28, and Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Join us as we venture along the Delaware River from Arrow Island Overlook to Milford to search for Bald Eagles. Other possibilities along the river include Common Goldeneyes, Pileated Woodpeckers, Peregrine Falcons and the rare Golden Eagle. This is a great opportunity for photographers.
• Meet at Arrow Island parking area at the Delaware Water Gap. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes and bring binoculars, lunch and beverages. We will stop for hot drinks and snacks along the way.
• To register for Jan 28 trip, contact Rick Wiltraut at rwiltraut@pa.gov or (610) 746-2810.
• To register for Feb 11 trip, contact Bill Sweeney at wisweeney@pa.gov or (610) 746-2808.

Birding at Middle Creek

• Saturday, March 3, 10 a.m. to dusk
• Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area -- on the border of Lancaster and Lebanon counties about a mile south of Kleinfeltersville -- is one of the premier birding spots in eastern Pennsylvania and the best place to see large numbers of Snow Geese. Join us for this birding tour of Middle Creek as we look for Snow Geese, Tundra Swans and other waterfowl. We’ll also check the extensive grasslands for raptors and songbirds, like Eastern Meadowlarks and Eastern Bluebirds. Leaders will stay until dusk to look for Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls and to listen for early arriving American Woodcocks.
• Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars.
• To register, contact Rick Wiltraut at rwiltraut@pa.gov or (610) 746-2810.

Frog Slog Fridays

• Friday, March 30, and Friday, April 13, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Have you ever slogged for frogs in a vernal pond? Vernal ponds are temporary bodies of water that form in spring from rain and snow melt.  Because these ponds lack predatory fish, they are used by frogs and salamanders to breed and lay eggs. Join us for this nighttime journey to explore these ponds in search of these amphibian wonders.
• Please dress for the weather, wear waterproof footwear, and bring a flashlight. Be prepared to get wet!
• Program limited to 30 participants.
• To register for the March 30 walk, contact Rick Wiltraut at rwiltraut@pa.gov or (610) 746-2810.
• To register for the April 13 walk, contact Bill Sweeney at wisweeney@pa.gov or (610) 746-2808.

The Sky Dance

• Saturday, April 7, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• The “sky dance” is what the famous conservationist Aldo Leopold called the spring flight of the American Woodcock. A member of the shorebird family, the woodcock uses its long bill to probe the mud for food. Join us for this special evening to observe male woodcocks displaying. Learn how Jacobsburg is managing habitat for woodcocks and what you can do in your area to preserve habitat for this special bird and other wildlife.
• Please dress for the weather and bring binoculars and a flashlight.
• To regsiter, contact Rick Wiltraut at rwiltraut@pa.gov or (610) 746-2810.

Earth Day at Jacobsburg

• Sunday, April 22, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Celebrate Earth Day by participating in one of the many stewardship projects, including invasive plant removal, native plant plantings, butterfly garden cleanup, litter pickup and more. Kid-friendly activities and live critters! Learn about creating a backyard habitat for birds, butterflies and other animals.
• To register, contact Lauren Forster at jacobsburgeeprogramssp@pa.gov or (610) 746-2809.

Adventures to the Ancients (Old-Growth Walks in the Poconos)

• April 29, May 20 and June 24, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Join naturalists Bill Sweeney and Don Miller as they explore and interpret the unique natural and cultural history of some of the finest old growth forests left in eastern Pennsylvania.
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather.
• To register, contact Bill Sweeney at wisweeney@state.pa.us or (610) 746-2808.

Neotropical Birding Weekend at Promised Land State Park

• Friday through Sunday, May 11 to 13
• Join Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center and Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center for this birding weekend at Promised Land State Park in the beautiful Pocono Mountains. See colorful Neotropical birds typical of high elevations like Blackburnian and Magnolia Warblers, Alder Flycatchers and many other species. Promised Land also has the distinction of having the most reliable nesting locations of Merlins at the southern limit of their breeding range in eastern North America! Opening program “Neotropical Bird Conservation” on Friday night by Rick Wiltraut and Linda Ingram.
• Transportation, lodging and meals are on your own. Cost is $25 per person.
• To register and for more information on lodging (or camping), contact Linda Ingram at liingram@pa.gov or (610) 796-3699.

Exploring Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge

• Saturday and Sunday, May 19 to 20
• In 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved an acquisition boundary for the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge, bringing into existence a refuge that a strong coalition of community and conservation interests worked together to establish in Cherry Valley. Five federally listed threatened or endangered species occur or are likely to occur in this diverse mosaic of wetland and upland habitats. Join us as we explore this beautiful area and learn about the wildlife and other ecological treasures found here. Topics will include reptiles and amphibians, Neotropical and grassland birds, forest ecology, greenways, endangered species, and the conservation process. Presenters will include The Nature Conservancy, Friends of Cherry Valley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
• To register, contact Rick Wiltraut at rwiltraut@pa.gov or (610) 746-2810.

Registration is required for all programs; to register online:

• http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/Parks/jacobsburg.aspx
• Click on “What to Do”
• Click on “Calendar of Events"

If you need an accommodation to participate in an activity due to a disability, contact the Pennsylvania Bureau of State Parks:

• 1-888-PA-PARKS (voice)
• 1-888-537-7294 (TTY)
• 1-717-558-2711 (local or international TTY)
• 1-800-654-5984 (PA AT&T Relay Service)