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Reflections in Nature: The jewelweed plant is one unique, interesting weed

Recently, Mary Alice and I went for a ride and stopped to see a friend. When I got out of the truck I noticed jewelweeds plants growing in a ditch. Mary Alice asked what I was looking at, and I placed a pod in her hand. The pod promptly exploded. I had a flashback to the first time I had a jewelweed seed pod explode in my hand. After that episode, I would look for jewelweed plants so I could touch the seed pods, causing them to explode and throw their seeds into the air. You might know the jewelweed plant by its more common name of touch-me-nots. The red-flecked, orange flowers ...

Outdoors community calendar for week of Sept. 15

AUDUBON EVENT: LYCOMING CREEK BIRD WALK WHERE: 195 W. Creek Road in Cogan Station WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8:30 a.m. NOTES: Explore several sections of excellent riparian and wetland habitation during this walk close to Williamsport. Walk a portion of the Lycoming Creek Bike Path, as we search for waterfowl, heron, kingfishers and more. FALL AMBIENCE WHERE: Little Pine State Park WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 18 at 8 p.m. NOTES: Join the park naturalist for a relaxing evening to hear fall ambience. Topics of discussion wil center around what is being heard. This is designed to ...

Pennsylvania Game Commission to host driving tours on game lands

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission will again be hosting several wildlife habitat driving tours on state game lands for the public to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles this fall. “These driving tours provide an overview of what’s available on our state game lands, ...

Reflections in Nature: Asters are nice to enjoy in September

The weather man reported that summer was over on the first of September, while most of us celebrate Labor Day as the end of summer. According to the calendar, summer is officially over at 8:05 p.m. on Sept 22. Back when our children were in school and hunting season and night patrol were beginning for me, Mary Alice always said that summer ended after we celebrated the Fourth of July. She also declares summer is over when she sees the first aster in bloom. When checking diaries from previous years I usually find that I have seen my first aster flowers by the middle of September. The ...

What did Whitetail Management Institute have to say?

As anyone following activities at either the Game Commission or the Fish and Boat Commission knows, the Whitetail Management Institute conducted a joint study on the agencies’ future path. The report is now available, and the question is, “What does it say?” The full report is 81 pages, so I obviously don’t have time to go through every aspect. Nor, I am sure, do you have the desire to read the entire thing. So, I will note the highlights and provide my thoughts and insights based on over 25 years with the Fish and Boat Commission. The purpose of the commissioned study, and ...

2026 Susquehanna Greenway Partnership mini-grant program is now open

LEWISBURG — The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is pleased to announce the opening of the 2026 Susquehanna Greenway Mini-Grant Program. This program supports the advancement of outdoor recreation, conservation, trail projects, and programs within the Susquehanna Greenway’s 22 counties: Bradford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Indiana, Juniata, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Luzerne, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Susquehanna, Union, Wyoming, and York. Projects outside this corridor will not be considered. Eligible applicants ...