For more information on any Audubon field trip, phone Field Trip Chair Deb Tencer at 932-9183 or send her an e-mail message at naturehikergal@gmail.com.

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February 12, Sunday — CABIN FEVER HIKE ABOVE HORSESHOE CURVE: Break up your cabin fever and explore the state gamelands and Altoona Water Authority property in a winter setting. The hike will take about 2 hours. Please wear your boots! Meet at Horseshoe Curve at 11 a.m. For more info, contact JVAS Field Trips Committee Chair Deb Tencer at naturehikergal@gmail.com.

March 24, Saturday — WATERFOWL WATCH AT DUNNING CREEK WETLANDS: JVAS board members Mike and Laura Jackson will lead a field trip to Dunning Creek Wetlands, in Bedford County, to observe migrating waterfowl. Meet at the Apple Bin Restaurant, on Pa. Rt. 56, a few miles west of I-99 at 8 a.m. Wear boots, as it will be wet, and be prepared for cold, windy conditions. The trip will last most of the morning. For more information, contact the Jacksons at mljackson2@embarqmail.com.

April 14, Saturday — COURTSHIP FLIGHT OF THE TIMBERDOODLE AT CANOE CREEK STATE PARK: Canoe Creek State Park has a variety of wetlands and old fields that provide ideal habitat for woodcock. Observe the fascinating and unique courtship flight display of the male “timberdoodle” — a true harbinger of spring. Meet at Pavilion 1 in the park at 7:30 p.m. Contact trip leader Dr. Stan Kotala at 946-8840 or at ccwiba@keyconn.net for more details.

April 22, Sunday — SUNDAY TRILLIUM HIKE ON THE LOWER TRAIL: Come join JVAS Field Trips Committee Chair Deb Tencer to see the repeat performance of thousands of red and yellow trilliums and Dutchman’s-breeches that cover the hillside along a section of the Lower Trail. Meet at the Water Street flea market at 11 a.m. The hike is only 2 miles and is quite easy. Afterward, please join us to go for pizza! Contact Deb at naturehikergal@gmail.com for more info.

April 28, Saturday — “SAVE THE FROGS DAY” PROGRAM AND EVENING STROLL ON THE LOWER TRAIL: In an effort to raise awareness of the plight of amphibians, the scientific community has declared this day as Save the Frogs Day, on which we encourage the appreciation and celebration of amphibians. Join JVAS Conservation Chair Dr. Stan Kotala for a short educational program about frogs and toads, followed by a brief evening stroll looking for amphibians along the Lower Trail. Meet at the Lower Trail Mt. Etna Trailhead pavilion at 7:30 p.m. Click here to see a map of the Lower Trail. Contact Dr. Kotala at 946-8840 or at ccwiba@keyconn.net with any questions.

May 5, Saturday — WILDFLOWERS AND WARBLERS AT BLUE KNOB STATE PARK: Mike and Laura Jackson will lead a field trip to Blue Knob State Park to view spring wildflowers and migrating warblers. Meet at Chappell’s Field in Blue Knob State Park at 8 a.m. The 3-hour walk will be on Sawmill Trail, which is easy, but rocky in places. Questions? Contact the Jacksons at mljackson2@embarqmail.com.

May 6, Sunday — SPRING MUSHROOM WALK ALONG THE LOWER TRAIL: Join Bill Russell, author of Field Guide to the Wild Mushrooms of Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic, along with Karen Croyle. The Lower Trail is heavily collected for morels, but many other interesting mushrooms are fruiting at this time of year. We might find a few morels as well. The 4-mile hike will take about 3 hours. Meet at the Water Street entrance to the Lower Trail (near the intersection of U.S. Rt. 22 and Pa. Rt. 453) at noon. Contact JVAS Field Trips Committee Chair Deb Tencer at naturehikergal@gmail.com for more info.

May 12, Saturday — ANNUAL TERRY WENTZ MEMORIAL HIKE ON MOORE’S HILL TRAIL: A 4-mile, moderate hike on Moore’s Hill Trail, in Canoe Creek State Park. The hike will honor the late Terry Wentz, former Canoe Creek State Park manager who served on the JVAS board of directors for more than a decade, including four years as president. Meet at the Canoe Creek State Park Environmental Education Center at 2 p.m. For more information, contact trip leader Dr. Stan Kotala at 946-8840 or at ccwiba@keyconn.net.

May 19, Saturday — SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK AT BELL’S GAP RUN: Join JVAS board member Marcia Bonta for a walk in State Gameland 108 at Bell’s Gap Run to observe spring wildflowers. Meet in the parking lot for the Bellwood Rails to Trails at 10 a.m. and then drive halfway up the mountain to a parking lot on the left. The walk is a gentle climb that leads past a variety of wildflowers on the left cliffs as well as some rare ferns. It’s also a good place for spring warblers and other birds because we are looking down at large trees and the stream. Bring a trail lunch and a beverage to enjoy at the top of the hollow. For more info contact Marcia at marciabonta@hotmail.com.

May 26, Saturday — CCSP BUTTERFLY GARDEN WORK PARTY: At 10 a.m., lease lend a hand at Canoe Creek State Park’s butterfly garden (adjacent to the Environmental Education Center). No gardening experience is necessary. Bring a covered dish item to share at a picnic afterward. Remember, the JVAS name is on the garden; so let’s be proud of it!

June 10, Sunday — MOUNTAIN LAUREL HIKE IN BRUSH MOUNTAIN WOODLANDS: Join JVAS Field Trips Committee Chair Deb Tencer to hike The Nature Conservancy’s property known as the Brush Mountain Woodlands to admire the massive amounts of Mountain Laurel along with other flora and fauna specific to this dry, rocky area. At 11 a.m., meet at Panera Bread, in Logantown Centre, to carpool. For more info, contact Deb at naturehikergal@gmail.com.