MOUNT JEWETT — Kinzua Bridge State Park Complex will offer a variety of programs in May at Kinzua Bridge State Park, Bendigo State Park and Elk State Park.
At Kinzua Bridge State Park, at 11 a.m. Saturday will be a program on exploring spring ephemerals. Participants will stroll along the main park area to look for spring wildflowers and reflect on the beauty of the season. Meet in front of the visitors center.
At 1 p.m. will be the “Leave No Trace Trek.” Staff will guide a hike on the Kinzua Creek Trail. Learn the seven principles of Leave No Trace ethics before putting it into practice on a guided hike to see the bridge wreckage up close. The trail is a steep 0.4 mile trail; participants should prepare for a more difficult hike, dress for the weather and bring any water they may need. This event will be postponed in the event of adverse weather conditions.
On Sunday, at 2 p.m., binoculars for beginners will be held. Meet park staff near the beginning of the skywalk for this outdoor program. Borrow a pair of binoculars, and after a short lesson on how to use them, test your skills on the skywalk. The program will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
On May 12, at 11 a.m., will be a Mother’s Day Walk. Celebrate Mother’s Day by bringing her to the park for a wildflower walk. Plan on hiking around the park and out onto the bridge. Meet in front of the visitors center. Dress for the weather.
At 1 p.m. May 12, will be a happier hummingbirds program. Learn about keeping hummingbirds happy and healthy by learning about harmful practices to avoid, seasonal flowers that hummingbirds prefer, and the ideal sugar water mixture for feeders. Stop and speak to our DCNR staff at the pop-up table near the skywalk for this program.
At 2 p.m. May 16 will be a Pennsylvania Native Species walk to commemorate Pa. Native Species Day by walking around the park to look for native species found there. Help pull out some invasive species. Meet in front of the visitor center. Dress for the weather. Bug spray and gloves are suggested.
Also at 2 p.m. May 16 will be a program on Pennsylvania fur bearing animals. Stop by the top floor exhibits in the Kinzua Bridge Visitors Center to view various furs and skulls of animals native to Pennsylvania. See if you can figure out which animal each pelt comes from and learn about the extensive history of fur bearing species in Pennsylvania, and the hard work that has been done to conserve them.
On May 18 at 11 a.m., there will be an introduction to archery. Practice archery skills, safety procedures of shooting a bow and the technical skills involved in hitting a target. Target and bows provided. This program is free and open to the public. Meet on the eastern side of the building.
On May 26 at 11 a.m. will be an “ask the naturalist” event, where the park’s naturalist will rove around the park answering questions about nature and history.
At noon on May 27 will be a Memorial Day tribute, with the reading of Special Order 11. A brief history about “Remembrance Day” will be presented and the reading of a portion of Special Order #11. Meet outside the visitors center near the flag.
At Bendigo State Park in Wilcox, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. May 19 will be binoculars for beginners. Meet staff near the pool area and playground for this outdoor program. Borrow a pair of binoculars, and after a short lesson on how to use them, test your skills in the nearby areas. This lesson will be rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
On May 26, from noon to 3 p.m. will be fish for free day. Visit the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources table beside Bendigo Creek near the playground to borrow some rods and fishing supplies before fishing in the stream. Play some fun fishing games with our DCNR staff, practice casting, and take home some free handouts and coloring pages.
At Elk State Park, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 will be a waterfowl watch at East Branch Lake. Join park staff near the Instanter Boat Launch for a relaxed afternoon of bird watching. DCNR employees will have a spotting scope set up so that participants can catch a better glimpse of any birds on the lake, though visitors are also encouraged to bring their own binoculars.
