Public Programming Schedule

Snowshoeing and Wildlife Tracking
Saturday, January 28, 2012
10:00am - 12:30pm
Location: Chaffee Wildlife Preserve
Focus: A moderately challenging hike through open fields and mature forests with a focus on snowshoe skills, wildlife tracking techniques and general Winter ecology. Snowshoes will be provided.
Fees: Free (Sponsored by Waste Management of Chaffee)

Snowshoe Adventure Hike
Saturday, February 4, 2012
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Birdsong Park, Orchard Park
Focus: A leisurely hike through mature fields, wetlands and forests with a focus on snowshoe skills and general Winter ecology. Snowshoes will be provided.
Fees and Registration: Please contact the Orchard Park Recreation Department: 716-662-6450 or http://activenet18.active.com/oprec/
(Co-sponsored by Orchard Park Recreation)

Snow Shelter Construction
Saturday, February 18, 2012
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Erie Country Forest - Sardinia
Focus: Involves the art and science of constructing functional snow shelters. Dress accordingly for Winter working conditions and be prepared to create some unique "forest homes".
Fees: Members $4.00 / Non-members $8.00

Maple Sugaring Past & Present
Saturday, March 24, 2012
10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Yates Park at Green Lake - Orchard Park
Focus: An outdoor and indoor series of presentations focused upon the techniques and tools of Maple Sugaring as experienced by Native Americans, early settlers and modern producers.
Fees and Registration: Includes program followed by a pancake brunch.
Adults $7.00 / Children (under 12) $4.00. Please contact the Orchard Park Recreation Department: 716-662-6450 or http://activenet18.active.com/oprec/
(Co-sponsored by Orchard Park Recreation)

Spring Migration
Saturday, April 14, 2012
1:00pm - 3:30pm
Location: Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge - Basom
Focus: Involves a series of "drive and stop" viewing areas and short hikes with a focus on the identification and ecology of both migrating and local bird species. Please bring binoculars and dress accordingly.
Fees: Members $5.00 / Non-members $8.00

Wild Edible Plant Hike
Saturday, April 28, 2012
10:00am - 1:00pm
Location: Erie County Forest Lands - Sardinia
Focus: A leisurely hike through fields, forests and creeks in search of delicious Springtime wild edible plants. A "wild" picnic and cookout to include a variety of samplings will follow the hike.
Fees: Members $7.00 / Non-members $12.00

Algonquin Wildlife Expedition
Thursday, May 10 – Sunday, May 13, 2012
3:00pm Thursday to 1:00pm Sunday
Program: Join the naturalists from Earth Spirit as we explore the wilds of Algonquin with a particular focus on Moose-watching, Timberdoodle dancing and Eastern Wolf tracking. Our hikes and paddles (conditions permitting) will take us through hardwood forests, boreal woods, bogs, lakes and rivers in order to experience the wonders of early Spring in the Great North Woods.
NOTE: Participants will be staying in beautiful lodges at the Blue Spruce Inn on Oxtongue Lake, minutes from the west entrance of Algonquin Provincial Park. A planning meeting will be held a few weeks prior where further details will be provided and car-pooling can be arranged. Registration is limited to 20 people (ages 18 and over).
Fees: $395.00 members / $425.00 non-members. Includes all programs, lodging and three dinners, including vegetarian fare. Participants are responsible for breakfast and lunch (full kitchen facilities will be available). A $100.00 non-refundable deposit is due no later than March 1, 2012 with balance payable at the planning meeting.
Registration: Please complete the registration form available for download from our website - http://earthspiritedu.org/algonquin2012.pdf and send it along with your deposit (see registration form for complete details).