January

Friday, January 1; New Year’s Day
Parks office, Nature Center and park gates closed. Park grounds open.

January 1–31; Christmas Tree Recycling
Kain Park, Lake Redman Activity Area
York County residents may drop off Christmas trees for recycling at William H. Kain County Park, near the Lake Redman boat rental, from December 26 through January 31. All protective plastic bags, ornaments and tinsel must be taken off the trees. For more information, please call the York County Solid Waste Authority at (717) 845-1066.

Tuesday & Wednesday, January 5–6, 12–13, 19–20, 26–27; Project FeederWatch
Nixon Park, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Join Project FeederWatch volunteers as they collect data to assist the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in the study and conservation of birds. NF, NPR.

Saturday, January 9; End of Archery & Flintlock Muzzleloader Hunting
Rocky Ridge, Kain and Spring Valley Parks
This marks the end of hunting for the season.

Sunday, January 10; Wildlife Signs
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
 Badges: Brownies: Eco-Explorer 1, Juniors: Wildlife 8; Webelos & Cub Scouts Wildlife 1, 3, 7)
Just because you go for a hike and don’t see wildlife doesn’t mean they’re not around. PA Game Commission Officer Chad Eyler will show you how to find signs of wildlife during this hands-on presentation. NF, NPR.

Sunday, January 17; The Dillsburg Earthquake Swarm
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
 Badges: Juniors: Rocks Rock 7; Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador: Digging through the past T4
Join Parks Program Coordinator Jeri Jones and Dr. Charles Scharnberger of Millersville University as they discuss the excitement around Dillsburg. Since October 2008, the area has experienced at least 1,000 earthquakes. Hear the whats and the hows during this PowerPoint presentation. NF, NPR.

Monday, January 18; Martin Luther King Day
Parks office and Nature Center closed. Park grounds open.

Friday, January 22; Owl Walk
Nixon Park, 7–9:30 p.m.
 Badges: Cadette, Senior, & Ambassador: All about Birds (Partial)
Join staff and a wildlife rehabilitator for an indoor/outdoor look into the world of owls. Learn the who, what and why of owls and see local species up close, and go on a quiet hike while calling for owls on the property. Dress for the weather. All children under age 16 must be accompanied by a parent. Only deep red-tinted flashlights allowed. Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Donations will be accepted to support wildlife rehabilitation work in York County. NF, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

Saturday, January 23; Cabin Fever Hike I: Who Was Here—Tracks and Trails
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Lot, Pheasant Pavilion, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Got the winter doldrums? Take a hike followed by a fire and hot chocolate in an enclosed pavilion. Naturalist and tracker Greg Stough will lead a casual hike for the whole family, helping you identify trails and traces of the comings and goings of winter animals. NF, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

Saturday, January 23; Wildlife Art Class I
Nixon Park, 1–3 p.m.
 Badges: Juniors: Drawing & Painting (Complete), Outdoor Creativity (1,10) Visual Arts (5,7,8,9,10); Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Visual Arts (S2,3,6;T1;C1), All about Birds (S6); Webelos Artist (1,2)
Artist Teanna Byerts will introduce participants ages 9 and up to drawing wildlife using the collection housed at the Nature Center. Topics include basic shapes, detailing and sketching. Can be taken alone or with Wildlife Art II (see January 30). $5, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

Saturday, January 23; Public Star Watch and New Telescope Clinic
Rudy Park, 6:30–8:30 p.m.
 Badges: Brownies: Space Explorer (Partial) Juniors: Sky Search (Partial), “Doing” Hobbies (Partial); Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Space Exploration (Partial)
Come to the observatory and see planets, the Moon, galaxies and nebulae and learn some interesting facts about each object. Please bring a blanket or chair if you desire. If you need help with your telescope, bring it along and our experts will help you out. Also, members of the York County Astronomical Society can advise you what type of telescope to purchase. Event held if skies are partly cloudy to clear. Groups with ten or more people should call to 578-9109. Also call for a program update at 5 pm. NF, NPR.

Saturday, January 30; Cabin Fever Hike II: Winter Bird Hike
Rocky Ridge Park, Hidden Laurel Parking Area, Pheasant Pavilion, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
Got the winter doldrums? Join York Audubon President Tom Smith for a winter birding expedition. Test your bird identification skills or learn a new hobby. After the hike enjoy a fire and hot chocolate in an enclosed pavilion. Bring your own binoculars (some loaners available). NF, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

Saturday, January 30; YAMBA Beginner Mountain Bike Ride
Rocky Ridge County Park, 1 p.m.
This is a chance for beginner mountain bikers to join a group ride with YAMBA members to learn about mountain biking and become more familiar with the trails at Rocky Ridge. Everyone welcome. A proper fitting helmet, mountain bike, and good attitude are required! Check www.yamba.org for the most up-to-date information. NF, NPR.

Saturday, January 30; Wildlife Art Class II
Nixon Park, 1–3 p.m.
 Badges: Juniors: Drawing & Painting (Complete), Outdoor Creativity (1,10) Visual Arts (5,7,8,9,10); Cadettes, Seniors, & Ambassadors: Visual Arts (S2,3,6;T1;C1), All about Birds (S6); Webelos Artist (1,2)
This class can be taken alone or as a continuation of Wildlife Art Class I (January 23). This class will cover the basics of wildlife sketching but also give students a chance to sharpen skills learned in Wildlife Art I and experiment with different mediums. $5 fee, please call 428-1961 to pre-register.

Sunday, January 31; End of Christmas Tree Recycling
Kain Park, Lake Redman Boat Launch Parking Lot

Sunday, January 31; Groundhog Walk
Nixon Park, 2:30–4 p.m.
Join park staff for an indoor/outdoor program on the lore and history of natural weather prediction techniques and the ecology of winter. Look for signs of spring…or six more weeks of winter. NF, NPR.