Learn how to manage wildlife diversity
ALLENWOOD - At 1:30 p.m. today, the Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association will sponsor a public program on "Managing Your Property for Wildlife Diversity" at the Pennsylvania State Game Lands 252, near Allenwood in Union County.
State Game Lands 252 offers recreational opportunities not only for traditional game hunting but also bird-watching, hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, mountain biking, horseback riding and more. It is one of the most highly used game lands by people, but it also offers a diversity of habitat types that appeal to a wide array of wildlife as well.
Mario Giazzon, state Game Commission regional wildlife diversity biologist, will discuss recent habitat projects to enhance early successional forest and shrubland habitat for species of special concern and explore how landowners might be able to better manage their own properties for habitat diversity.
For directions and more information, call Henry Williams at 458-0157.
Take a hike with regional group
The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra Club and the Edward Abbey Hiking Society will hold a number of hikes throughout the region in the spring and summer.
They are open to the public, but hikers should contact the hike leader prior to the event. Participants are advised to bring lunch and water on every hike.
Hikes will be held:
Today - Mason-Dixon Trail, York County, 14.8 miles, very strenuous. Hike from Otter Creek Campground to historic Lock 12 through the River Hills on the west side of the Susquehanna River. This is a fast-paced preview hike offered to participants in the Susquehanna Super Hike on Sept. 8, but all are welcome. Meet at K-Mart parking lot on Route 15 in Shamokin Dam at 6:30 a.m. or Clarks Ferry Truck Stop along Route 322 in Duncannon at 7:15 a.m. Leader: Paul Shaw, 717-215-8339, pshaw@ptd.net.
Saturday - Shingletown Gap: Bald Knob Ridge, Centre County, 6.2 miles, moderate. Hike along Roaring Run and gradually ascend to Bald Knob. From Bald Knob, there is a steep ascent on the Clemons Trail followed by a long downhill that passes the ruins of an old cabin. Meet at the parking lot behind the Lewisburg Post Office at 8 a.m. or the trailhead parking lot on Mountain Road at 9:30. To get to the trailhead, in Boalsburg, continue west on Route 45 for 1.8 miles to the village of Shingletown and turn left on Mountain Road. Leader: Tony Robbins, tony.robbins@excellservices.com.
July 1 - Bear Meadows, Centre County, 6.8 miles, easy to moderate. Hike a figure eight combining the Bear Meadows Trail and Jean Aron/Tuxedo/Lonberger paths. Bear Meadows is an unusual remnant boreal bog with vegetation usually only found much further north. It can get quite soggy, so bring extra socks or waterproof boots. Meet at the parking lot behind Lewisburg Post Office at 8 a.m. or the Bear Meadows parking area at 9:30. To get to Bear Meadows, turn onto Bear Meadows Road from Route 322 at the entrance to Tussey Mountain Ski Resort and follow the road for three miles to a stone monument with ample parking. Leader: Tony Robbins, tony.robbins@excellservices.com.
Environmental film series offered
BLOSSBURG - The Countryside Film Series concludes at 7 p.m. Wednesday with a showing of "Hope for Polluted Water" at the Victoria Theater, 222 Main St.
The series explores some aspect of the notion of "countryside" and will deliver a message of hope and respect for the country and the country folks who live there. Before the feature film, a segment from one of the oral histories gathered by the Pine Creek Watershed Council will be shown to highlight the history and culture of this region.
A fee applies.
Historic walking tours planned in Lock Haven
LOCK HAVEN - Ross Library and its new employee, Lou Bernard, will hold historic walking tours of Lock Haven's streets and districts.
The "Walk the Past" program will begin at 9 a.m. Fridays in June and July at the library, 232 W. Main St. Walks are planned through July 27.
Because of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the walks will feature a strong Civil War influence, sharing many of the stories and events of the area's participation in the war. Topics such as Abraham Lincoln, the Underground Railroad and lost military gold will be featured.
Pedometers will be issued to walkers to measure how many miles have been walked. The goal this year is to have the group achieve 318 miles, the distance to Gettysburg and back.
For more information, call the Ross Library at 748-3321.
Outdoor discovery weekend set for women
AUSTIN - Ladies, are you tired of your typical weekend? Do you find yourself sitting in front of the television watching other people have fun? Well, here's the perfect opportunity to break out of your routine and try something new.
On Friday, Saturday and next Sunday, Sinnemahoning State Park is offering a weekend filled with opportunities to learn new outdoor skills. Programs will include biking, archery, kayaking, bird-banding, GPS/geo-caching, fly-fishing, camp cooking, outdoor survival and many others. Participants may choose up to eight sessions over the three days of the event, and all meals are included.
Grab your mom, sister, best friend or co-worker and join other aspiring woodswomen for a new adventure in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Call the park office at 814-647-8401 for information on registration, available lodging and fees.
Athletes prepare for adventure triathlon
LOCK HAVEN - The sixth annual Great Island Adventure Triathlon will be held Saturday at the Woodward Boat Launch, across the Jay Street Bridge.
Participants will paddle, pedal and run through a 23-mile course in the heart of the PA Wilds.
For more information, call 748-6727 or visit www.lockhavenymca.com.
Last chance to register for bass tourney
BERWICK - Registrations still are being accepted for fishermen who want to compete in this coming weekend's third annual Bassmasters Fishing Tournament. It will be held Saturday and next Sunday at the Berwick Test Track Park boat launch and is sponsored by the Columbia County Bassmasters.
The boundaries on the Susquehanna River extend from the Danville/Riverside bridge to the Nanticoke bridge.
Teams of two anglers may register, but there is a limit of 100 boats. A fee per boat includes breakfast and a T-shirt. Registration forms are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Once the 100-boat limit is reached, all other applications will be returned.
Cash prizes totaling $12,500 will be awarded. The first-place team will receive $5,000. Each day, lunker prizes will be awarded for adults and junior anglers.
Applications and rules may be downloaded from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website -www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com/Bassmasters - or the Columbia County Bassmasters website - www.ColumbiaCountyBassmasters.com.
Applications also are available at Bo's Bait Barn, 1312 Raspberry Ave., Nescopeck; Smith's Outdoor Connection, 1901 Orange St., Berwick; Laubach's Sporting Goods, 547 E. Eighth St., Berwick; Halls Marine, 890 Lycoming Mall Drive, Muncy; and visitors bureau offices, 121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg, and 316 Mill St., Danville.
For more information, call Mike "Chuck" Monico, tournament director, at 752-3223.
Game commissioners to meet this month
HARRISBURG - The board of the state Game Commission will meet June 25-26 in the auditorium of the agency's headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.
On June 25, the board will gather public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony - limited to five minutes - also will begin at that time.
On June 26, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Game Commission will take up its prepared agenda, which will be posted on the agency's website prior to the meeting. Doors will open at 7:45 a.m.
For those unable to attend, the commission will webcast the meeting beginning with staff reports on Monday, immediately following the conclusion of public comments. The full board meeting on Tuesday will be webcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. An icon will be posted on the agency's website to access the webcasts.
Minutes from the board's April 24 meeting were posted on www.pgc.state.pa.us. To view them, click on the "Resources" section in the menu bar under the banner, then select "Reports/Minutes," followed by "Commission Board Meeting Minutes," and then choose "April 2012 Minutes."
Program to highlight flooding damage, recovery
FORKSVILLE - The Loyalsock Creek Watershed Association will hold a fun and educational public meeting at 6 p.m. June 26 at Worlds End State Park's visitors' center.
Titled "Worlds End State Park: The Flooding, the Aftermath and the Recovery," the program will examine the damage caused last fall by Tropical Storm Lee.
Park Manager William Kocher and Jane Swift, park environmental education specialist, will discuss and show video of the destructive floods of 2011. They also will talk about the recovery effort in progress to restore all of the park's treasured areas.
The watershed organization has partnered with the park for several years in addressing bank erosion occurring near its cabin colony. They have stabilized much of the bank, and work continues to further enhance and stabilize the site.
The meeting also will allow time for the association to highlight activities of the organization and future meetings. Light refreshments will be available.
For more information or driving directions, call the Sullivan County Conservation District at 928-7057.
Bass tournament benefits health society
SUNBURY - The Bass Classic, sponsored by Capital City Bassmaster, will be held July 14 at Shikellamy State Park. Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
The boundaries of the fishing tournament are, to the south, the Fiber Dam; to the north, Berwick; and to the west, Williamsport.
Cash and prizes will be awarded, including a first-place prize of $3,000.
For more information, or to register, download the pdf file at www.tiptopwebsite.com/custommusic2/fisherman.pdf or call Mike Brown at 717-448-0350 or Bob Herman at 717-938-8752.
Canoe, kayak races planned
HOWARD - The seventh annual Bricktown Challenge will be held July 14 at the Bald Eagle State Park beach, 149 Main Park Road.
The event offers canoe and kayak races for the serious paddler, youth and junior paddler races, and recreational races.
For more information, call 660-0382 or visit www.beechcreekwatershed.org.
Wildlife for Everyone 5-mile run scheduled
ALLENWOOD - The Wildlife for Everyone 5 Miler off-road run/walk will be held at 9 a.m. July 14 on State Game Lands 252.
The course encompasses dirt roads and grassy land. The roads will be closed to vehicles. Prizes and refreshments will be provided.
T-shirts will be given to all participants who register by June 25. A registration fee applies. Shirts will be limited on race day.
All proceeds will benefit the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation,
For more information, email Steven Schmit at wfe5M@windstream.net or natasharider@windstream.net.
