Carbon environmental education center plans weekend nature programs

The Carbon County Environmental Education Center is hosting three outdoor-oriented programs this coming weekend.

On Saturday, all ages and interest levels are invited to join in a fall birding hike, beginning at 8 a.m. CCEEC volunteer Rob Bergstresser will lead participants on easy-walking trails in search of raptors, waterfowl and other migrants. Binoculars and field guides will be available for loan.

Sunday marks the first meeting of the Ranger Rick Club, a nature program for students in kindergarten through sixth grade. The club meets at 1 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month during the school year, with each meeting focusing on some aspect of the natural world.

“Make Like a Tree and Leave” is the topic for October.

Also on Sunday, forest consultant Jeff Wartluft leads an easy-walking hike along CCEEC trails to examine the colorful foliage of native trees. Wartluft will identify a variety of trees and shrubs for participants, and point out important characteristics of each. The walk begins at 2 p.m.

All programs are free for members of CCEEC, and a $5 per-person donation is requested of nonmembers.

To register, call 570-645-8597. Directions and more information on the center are available at carboneec.org.

CCEEC is located at the west end of Mauch Chunk Lake Park, just outside the borough of Jim Thorpe.