Go birding at hatchery
Northwest Arkansas Audubon Society will host a field trip at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery in Centerton, operated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. A variety of shorebirds, waterfowl and songbirds are seen around the hatchery ponds and surrounding pasture. Expect to walk 1 to 2 miles on level gravel lanes or mowed grass.
The trip is free and Audubon membership isn’t required. The trip is limited to 25 people. Email trips@nwarkaudubon.org to sign up.
Walk in two cities
Ozark Hill Hikers invite all walkers to join a walk on Saturday in Bella Vista. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. at the CVS Pharmacy, 2833 Bella Vista Way in Bella Vista. There is a fee of $4 for all walkers.
Walkers may choose a 5- or 10-kilometer route that follows trails through Blowing Springs Park, Sugar Creek Soccer Park and Veterans Hall of Honor.
A walk will also be held Sept. 17 in Springdale. Registration is from 8:30 to 9 a.m. at White Oak Station, 4128 Wagon Wheel Road in Springdale. The 5- or 10-kilometer routes will start and end at the J.B. And Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center.
Membership in the Ozark Hill Hikers is $12 a year prorated $1 for each month remaining in the calendar year. For more information, email bvvohh@gmail.com or call (479) 381-9366.
Dean talks timber
Peter MacKeith, dean of the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, will give a program at the Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area visitor center at 2 p.m. Sunday. He will talk about innovative designs in wood, new wood products and cross-laminated timber.
MacKeith is an advocate for sustainable forestry. Call the park visitor center, (479) 789-5000, with questions.
Alliance sets ‘friendraiser’
Beaver Watershed Alliance’s “friendraiser” fundraising event will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Bunch Park, 162 Church Ave., in Elkins.
Activities include education information about the White River and its watershed, live music, food trucks, a silent auction, prize drawings and family fun. Tickets are $25 or free for children 12 and younger. Visit beaverwatershedalliance.org/friendraiser 2024 to purchase tickets.
Learn wilderness skills
Ozark Natural Science Center will host a weekend wilderness skills course Sept. 20-22 at its Madison County location. Options are available for one day or the full weekend. Costs range from $50 to $100.
Instructor Jim O’Connor will teach skills such as shelter building, fire making, finding and treating water and more. A camp will be constructed where students can opt to spend the night. Visit onsc.us/events to register.
Programs highlight sawmill
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will host a series of presentations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 21 about the history of the Peter Van Winkle sawmill and community that once thrived on property that is now the park. The event is along the one-half mile Historic Van Winkle Trail. Parking is along Arkansas 12 west of the visitor center.
Visitors may attend as many activities as they’d like. Call the visitor center at (479) 789-5000 for more information.
View stars, planets at park
Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area will host a free astronomy program from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 21 at the visitor center. The Sugar Creek Astronomical Society will provide powerful telescopes for all guests to use. No reservations are necessary. The program is recommended for ages 8 and up.
The evening begins with a program at 7:00 p.m. inside the visitor center. Jack Haynes will discuss the future of space exploration. Outdoor viewing will begin about 8 p.m. weather permitting.
Items to bring include a flashlight covered with a red cloth or red balloon and a folding chair. Viewers may bring binoculars and a star chart.
Triathlon goes off road
Xterra Branson Mountain Man Off Road Triathlon will be Sept. 21 at Table Rock State Park on Table Rock Lake. Athletes complete a lake swim, mountain bike ride and trail run. There are sprint and full distance triathlons.
All races start and end at Table Rock State Park. There are options for individual and three-person relays. Visit www.xterraplanet.com for more information.
Bike, kayak Delta swamp
Delta Heritage State Park near West Helena offers two opportunities to kayak through an Arkansas Delta swamp with an experienced guide.
A trip Sept. 21 explores Old Town Lake with its forests of bald cypress and tupelo trees in the shallow water. Cost is $18 or $12 for children ages 6-12. Cost includes use of a kayak, paddle and life jacket. The trip lasts 1.5 hours.
A trip Oct. 19 combines biking on the Delta Heritage Trail and kayaking on Old Town Lake. The trip starts with a 1.5-hour bike ride, then a 1-hour kayak float. Cost is $26 or $16 for ages 6-12. Cost includes use of a rental bicycle, helmet, kayak, paddle and life jacket. Call the park office (870) 572-2352 to register for either trip.
Coler hosts trail runners
Registration is open for the second annual Here’s Johnny 10-kilometer trail run Oct. 5 at Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Bentonville. The course covers the forested Here’s Johnny trail and loops to the Homestead inside the preserve.
Entry fee is $40, Visit www.peelcompton.org/events to register.
Hootenanny in the hollow
The annual Ozark Natural Science Center’s Bear Hollow Hootenanny fundraiser will be Oct. 19-20 at the Ozark Natural Science Center in Madison County. The family friendly music weekend features several bands, a campfire jam, astronomy, guided hikes, outdoor yoga, free parking, an optional shuttle to the grounds and complimentary meals and drinks.
Costs range from $100 for a weekend pass to $35 for a youth pass. Profits benefit the center’s many nonprofit environmental education programs. Visit www.onsc.us/hootenanny for tickets.