Winter Walks, Hidden Valley Nature Center, Jefferson, 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday. Full moon hikes are planned for Monday, Feb. 15 and March 18. A $5 donation is suggested. Please pre-register, especially if you want to rent snowshoes. Visit www.hvnc.org, call 586-6752 or e-mail waywards@hotmail.com for more information and reservations.

Winter Hikes, Great Works Regional Land Trust, snowshoe excursion 9 a.m. Saturday, Orris Falls Conservation Area in South Berwick. Meet at the Thurrell Road trailhead. Free for land trust members; $5 donation per person or $10 per family is suggested for non-members. Please call 646-3604 to reserve your place. Go to www.gwrlt.org to learn more.

Maine Lakes Mushers Bowl & Winter Carnival, Five Fields Farm, South Bridgton, ends today. The International Sled Dog Racing Association-sanctioned event features competitors from all over the U.S. The carnival includes dodge-ball and pingpong tournaments, snowmobile rides, snowshoeing, a youth ice-fishing derby and a dance. Visit www.maine lakesmushersbowl.com.

The Kennebec Land Trust invites the public to explore the Curtis Homestead Conservation Area in Leeds from 1 to 3 p.m. today. Bring cross-country skis, snowshoes and sleds. Volunteers will be available to help beginners with skiing or snowshoeing. Hot chocolate and snacks will be served around a bonfire. FMI:call 377-2848.

Great Pond Mountain Wildlands Snowshoe Run & Trek, today, Orland. Participants can choose a 5-mile race or a free 1.3-mile noncompetitive trek. Registration 10 to 11:30 a.m.; race starts at noon at the Wildlands South Gate, Route 1 just south of the Route 176 intersection. Cost is $10/person or $20/family for timed race. Proceeds benefit Great Pond Mountain Conservation Trust. For more information or a registration form or map, contact Peter Keeney at 288-3909 or pktrldrt@myfairpoint.net.

Portland Trails Annual Meeting, 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Portland Public Library. Sponsored by Woodard & Curran, with refreshments provided by Whole Foods Market and Shipyard Brewing Co. Please reserve by e-mail at info@trails.org or call 775-2411. For more information, go to www.trails.org.

Looking ahead

Ice Fishing Derby, sponsored by the Royal River Rod & Gun Club, Sabbathday Lake in New Gloucester, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m, Feb. 5. Registration at Sabbathday Lake Grange Hall. Prizes for the largest fish by weight of any species. Food and beverages available. Door prizes awarded after the derby. Tickets are $10 each and available on the day of the derby or call Roger Hines at 926-3943. FMI: e-mail rhines@securespeed.us.

NRA Basic Pistol Shooting Course, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 5, Cabela’s, Scarborough. Sponsored by Western Maine Property Protection. Shooting will take place in indoor heated range. Cost is $125 per person, or $100 for a couple, which includes all course materials and the use of all firearms and ammunition. Lunch will be provided. This course meets concealed weapon permit requirements. Register by Jan. 29; call 739-9774 or e-mail westernmaineproperty protection@yahoo.com.

Upland Game Banquet, Feb. 5, sponsored by the Covered Bridge chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, at Keeley the Caterer in Portland. Proceeds will support habitat improvement projects. For information and tickets, call 926-5392.

Ongoing

Portland Trails Winter Walk series, 8:45 to 10 a.m. selected Saturdays: Evergreen Cemetery on Jan. 29. Please register for any walk by e-mailing info@trails.org or calling 775-2411. Portland Trails has snowshoes available (free for members, $5/non-members) that can be reserved. For more information, go to www.trails.org.

The Portland Water District invites preschoolers to join it for environmentally themed stories, activities and crafts. The sessions include: Incredible Insects, Feb. 18; Plants and Their Parts, March 18; Fun with Frogs, April 15. Programs run 10 a.m. to noon at the Sebago Lake Ecology Center in Standish. To register, e-mail sebagolake@pwd.org or call 774-5961, ext. 3319 or 3320. Donation supports loon preservation. Scholarships available and snacks provided.

Weekly Bird Walk, 8 a.m. Thursdays at Gilsland Farm, off Route One, Falmouth, $5 for Maine Audubon members, $8 for nonmembers. Bring binoculars and a field guide and meet in the visitor center parking lot. FMI: Call 781-2330, ext. 209.

Snowshoeing at Inland Woods/Pine Ridge Trails in Waterville at 5:30 p.m. every Wednesday. All are welcome; headlamps required. Meet at the trail head behind Inland Hospital, 200 Kennedy Memorial Drive. For more information, e-mail ewells@emh.org or call 861-3292.

 

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