Apr 25, 2013 3 min read

Spring has sprung, and it looks like the weather will be cooperating for several outdoor events taking place this weekend in Washington and Greene counties.

The Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation is sponsoring a series of nature-centered activities billed as “Spring into the Outdoors 2013” at Mingo Creek County Park, Nottingham Township.

Here is the schedule for Saturday, with locations and presenters:

• 1 p.m., orienteering, Shelter 9, Jim Wolfe; morel mushroom walk, Shelter 8, Jeff Donahue

• 2 p.m., arrowhead and knife-making demonstration known as “flint knapping,” with either percussion or pressure flaking, Shelter 6, Jeff Yates; geocaching, Shelter 8, Daniel Henderson and Rebecca Regeth

• 3 p.m., wild edibles, Shelter 8, Dr. Jason Kilgore; salamanders to scuds, Shelter 8

• 4 p.m., Louisiana water thrush walk, Shelter 8, Bob Mulvihill

• 7 p.m., frogs and toads, Shelter 8, Steve Leitkam

• 8 p.m., woodcock observation, Shelter 8, Jeff Donahue

• Dusk, owl prowl, Shelter 8, Mulvihill, and Amateur Association of Astronomers of Pittsburgh star-viewing party at the observatory near the Henry Covered Bridge.

Here is the schedule for Sunday:

• 6 a.m., turkey gobblers, Shelter 8, Jeff Donahue

• 9 a.m. bird walk, Shelter 8, Dr. Thomas Contreras; morel mushroom walk, Shelter 8, Jeff Donahue

• 10 a.m., wildflowers and invasives, Shelter 8, Shane Miller; gourd birdhouses, Shelter 8, Kama Lee

At the opposite end of Washington County, along the border with Greene County at state Game Land No. 32, Enlow Fork, on Sunday, the Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy will sponsor an early bird walk at 7:45 a.m. with the Ralph K. Bell Bird Club of Greene County, Three Rivers Birding Club, Audubon Society of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Westmoreland Bird and Nature Club and Brooks Bird Club.

A guided wildflower walk will begin at 10 a.m. Western Pennsylvania Conservancy members and others will be on hand to identify, along with wildflowers, breeding migratory birds, trees, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes and amphibians. There will also be stream studies for biology, geology and watershed conservation.

More information is available from http://enlowfork.tripod.com, 724-499-5774 or crnelson@windstream.net

Enlow Fork has been stocked with trout. The Wheeling Creek Watershed Conservancy will provide snacks, refreshments, environmental information and a portable toilet.

Meanwhile, in Greene County, members of the Izaak Walton League will be converging on Carmichaels for their state convention hosted by the Harry Enstrom Chapter of Greene County.

After the 9:30 a.m. business session at the Fairdale Inn, 422 Route 88, Southpointe attorney John Smith will discuss “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Gas Drilling.”

Afternoon activities include fishing and socializing at Patsy Hillman Park, including children and grandchildren and a presentation on water quality and monitoring followed by a tour of gas drilling sites.

Rebecca Trigger, Izaak Walton League of America national director and president of the Harry Enstrom Chapter, has more information at rtrigger@windstream.net or by calling 724-883-3512.