Breaking News

Outdoors

Symposium seeks to restore nature, one yard at a time

“It’s easy for most gardeners to notice when birds aren’t chirping, but what will often happen long before the birds are gone is the bugs in the soil are missing.” That’s the warning from Erica Thetford, the Lycoming County Master Gardener Coordinator. On March 15, the local chapter of Penn State Master Gardeners will host a symposium entitled “Bringing Nature Back: One Yard at a Time.” National and local experts will discuss how home gardeners can promote biodiversity and restore natural ecosystems. Gardening’s Hidden Impact From excessive pesticide use to ...

Outdoors community calendar for week of March 11

RIDER RATTLER WHERE: Rider Park WHEN: Saturday, March 19 at 10 a.m. NOTES: This event is an 8-mile and 4-mile trail race. To register, go to ultrasignup.com and search for Rider Rattler. Long sleeve T-shirt and a meal for all participants who sign up before March 1. All participants in the race will receive a meal afterwards and proceeds will be split between Rider Park and Pursue Your Happiniess, a non-profit that helps to organize local trail race events. VIRTUAL FISH OF HYNER RUN WATERSHED WHERE: Online via Microsoft Teams WHEN: Thursday, March 20 from 1-1:30 ...

Forest landowners should plan for spongy moths

HARRISBURG — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is urging Pennsylvania’s forest landowners and woodlot owners to start planning now for spongy moth treatment this spring to protect their trees from severe damage. Spongy moths (Lymantria dispar dispar) are a major threat to Pennsylvania’s forests, having killed millions of oak and other tree species. For the past three years, populations have reached outbreak levels, leading to widespread defoliation. With nearly 70 percent of Pennsylvania’s forests privately owned, DCNR is encouraging landowners to secure ...

Keeping volunteers? The key is knowing your audience and what excites them

On Feb. 10, 2025, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association hosted its second Riverkeeper Roundtable webinar, covering Watershed Volunteerism. Travis Wingard, the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward Coordinator of the PA Wilds Region, presented an overview of the Master ...

Time to start catching perch is right around the corner

After a long winter of cold temperatures and few fishing opportunities, people are itching to get on the water again. While many anglers anxiously await the opening day of trout season, others are prowling local lakes for monster perch. If you love perch, which is often considered one of Pennsylvania's tastiest species, there is no better time to catch a big one than now. Like many species, perch come alive in spring. After spending the winter simply trying to survive, it is time to eat, spawn, and be happy. Large schools will gather where the conditions are right and provide the ...

Former PFBC executive director to speak at Trout Unlimited meeting on March 12

The public is invited to a meeting of the Trout Unlimited Susquehanna Chapter featuring former PA Fish and Boat Commission executive director John Arway. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church at 807 W. Fourth Street in Williamsport. Parking and entrance to the Church is at the rear of the building with access off of Campbell Street. Arway will discuss his remarkable career of over 30 years with the PA Fish Commission, beginning as a fisheries biologist and culminating as executive director from 2010-18. Also in ...