AUSTIN — There might be snow on the ground, but the educators at Sinnemahoning State Park are ready for spring with a full line-up of programs for this week, including interpretive talks, nature walks, volunteer opportunities and educational programs.
Explore a virtual, online program for first-time shed hunters from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday. Through this online program, first-time shed hunters can learn about deer and elk antlers, how they grow, and where and when to find them. This program is suitable for all ages and pre-registration is required in order to share the link with all participants.
Between 9 and 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday enjoy Coffee with the Birds in the Wildlife Center classroom. Enjoy a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa, indoors as staff and the group participate in a Project Feeder Watch bird count and learn about the birds visiting the feeders just outside the classroom window. These events are open to all ages, beginners and expert birders alike. No pre-registration required to attend.
After Saturday’s bird watch, between 10 and 11 a.m. a program on Bluebirds, Chickadees and More will be held live in the Wildlife Center classroom.
Participants will learn about bluebirds, tree swallows, chickadees and other cavity nesting birds, the habitats they prefer, and how an individual can welcome them to their yard this spring. This program is geared toward adults and older children, but all are welcome and no pre-registration is required.
Also on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. the Bluebird Volunteer Meeting will be held in the Wildlife Center classroom. Individuals are invited to help Sinnemahoning park staff monitor the bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds.
Trail volunteers will check the boxes and record information about the eggs, babies and adult birds. If interested, please join park staff at this kick-off to learn the protocols for checking the boxes and to sign up for dates this season. Lunch will be provided. Pre-registration is required by Thursday.
Admire the Signs of Spring at Sinnemahoning State Park virtually during an online program from 1 to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. As winter begins to loosen its grip on the land and water, signs of spring start to appear everywhere, especially if one knows where to look. Take a virtual hike during this program with the park naturalist to look for nature’s hints of the coming warm weather. Pre-registration is required for this online program offered via Microsoft Teams.
Next week, learn about Ducks, Loons and Other Migratory Waterfowl virtually between noon and 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23. Learn about loons, grebes, scaups, mergansers and other waterfowl that travel through Sinnemahoning State Park during the spring waterfowl migration. This virtual program will be held online and will include a photo-filled PowerPoint presentation followed by a question-and-answer session. Pre-registration is required for this program in order to share the link with all who are interested.
Thursday, March 24 is Homeschool Day at Sinnemahoning State Park. The program is Birds of a Feather and it will run from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. in the Wildlife Center classroom. Through fun, hands-on activities homeschool students will learn about birds, their adaptations and their habitats. Students will contribute real data to the study of birds in the area by participating in a bird count and entering the data of their findings online. This program is open to all students, grades K-12.
Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, March 22.
To pre-register for any of these programs, or for more information, visit the online DCNR Calendar of Events at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov. If assistance is needed with online registration, please call the park office at (814) 647-8401 and dial 0 for the front desk.
If accommodations are necessary to participate in Pennsylvania State Park activities due to a disability, please contact the park. With at least seven days’ notice, interpreters for people who are deaf or hard of hearing are available for educational programs.
