Outdoor nature programs this winter at Central PA environmental education centers

Don’t let chilly weather keep you indoors!

Bundle up and get back to nature with these outdoors winter programs, sponsored by local environmental education centers.

Some programs require prior registration. Check websites for details.

Mindfulness Hike
Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA
Website
January 7, 2018
10-11:30 a.am
Observe the beautiful nature around us with a brisk 3.1 mile hike, led by yoga instructor Traci Wolfe. Appropriate for ages 12 through adult.

Winter Walk
Gifford Pinchot State Park
2200 Rosstown Rd, Lewisberry, PA
Website
January 12, February 10 and 23, 2018
1-2:30 p.m.
Explore the winter weather this season at Gifford Pinchot State Park for an easy to moderate walk at Pinchot Park. It will be led by a park naturalist and will explore the trails in the Conewago Day Use area.

Mammals!
Lancaster Environmental Center
1 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, PA
Website
January 27, 2018
1- 2 p.m.
Join Naturalist Ann Strauss will provide an afternoon of games and fun while teaching more about mammals. The first part of the hour will be spent playing games outside that simulate mammal behaviors, and the second half will be inside and allow kids to hold and examine mammal  furs and skulls up close. Registration is required and the cost is $2 per person.

Kids Discover: Animals And Their Tracks
Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA
Website
February 11, 2018
1- 3 p.m.
Learn how to track some native Pennsylvanian forest animals at Wildwood Park. A naturalist will be teaching children how to notice walking patterns and the tracks of local animals. Appropriate for ages 5-10. $5 per child, parents are free. Registration for the event is required.

The Great Backyard Bird Count
Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park
100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, PA
Website
Now through February 17, 2018
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join “birders” from Wildwood and Appalachian Audubon Society in learning about and identifying local birds. This is a chance to enjoy winter birds from the warmth of the indoors, at Wildwood’s Olewine Nature Center. This event will be ongoing from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. on February 17.

Mount Hope Maple Madness
Strawberry Hill
914 Mount Hope Road, Fairfield, PA
Website
February, 24, 2018, and March 3, 2018
7:30 – 11:30 a.m.   Pancake Breakfast and Local Art & Craft Vendors
9 a.m. – 12 noon Maple Sugaring Tours (90 minute tour; last tour begins at 12 noon and runs until 1:30p.m.)
Strawberry Hill’s annual Mount Hope Maple Madness maple sugaring festival is held every year on the last Saturday in February and the first Saturday in March.  Tickets available at the door.
All-you-care-to-eat Pancake Breakfast: $8 adult, $4 child
Maple Sugaring Tour: $8 adult, $5 child

$6 Fridays at ZooAmerica
201 Park Avenue, Hershey, PA
Website
Every Friday until March 23, 2018, will offer admissions prices of $6 per person. Stroll the 11 acres of the zoo and learn about more than 200 animals from the five regions of North America.