Sat. February 27 - Winter Tree-Identification Trip - Yankauer

LEARN HOW TO IDENTIFY TREES IN WINTER

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will offer a winter tree-
identification field trip at its Yankauer Nature Preserve in Berkeley
County the morning of Saturday, February 27.

There is no fee, and anyone with an interest is invited to attend.

West Virginia state forester Ben Kunze will lead the trip. He will
show how to identify trees through such clues as their branching
habits and overall shape, twigs and buds, and bark.

Participants will meet at the preserve parking lot at 10:00 a.m. The
total time of the trip will be about two hours.

If there has been a major snow the day before or weather is especially
inclement that day, call 304-676-3397 to make sure the trip is still on.

Those who participate should be sure to dress warmly and wear sturdy
footwear.

The preserve is located on Whiting's Neck about seven miles north of
Shepherdstown. Detailed directions can be found on the PVAS website at
www.potomacaudubon.org

Sat. February 20 WILDLIFE-TRACKING EVENT AT CACAPON STATE PARK

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society is sponsoring a special winter
wildlife-tracking field trip at Cacapon State Park the morning of
Saturday, February 20.

There is no fee, and anyone with an interest is invited to attend.

This will be a family-friendly event and a great educational outing
for children in particular.

Park naturalist Kelly Smith will lead the trip, and show how to
identify wildlife signs of all kinds.

Tracking involves much more than looking for footprints. Other signs
of animal activity can include marks left on trees, shrubs and ground
by rubbing, chewing and scratching; remains of prey; and droppings, or
scat.

Winter is the best time to look for such signs, whether there is snow
on the ground or not.

Participants will meet at the entrance to the Park Lodge at 10:00 a.m.
The total time of the trip will be about two hours.

Pre-registration is recommended but not required. To pre-register or
for more information contact Kelly Heldreth at kheldreth@hotmail.com
or 304-229-6229.

If there has been a major snow the day before or weather is especially
inclement that day, call 304-676-3397 to make sure the trip is still on.

Those who participate should be sure to dress warmly and wear sturdy
footwear.