BIKING

Bike Swap

WHEN: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. today

WHERE: AT&T Sports Pavilion

DETAILS: Bring your used cycling equipment and clothing to the Arctic Bicycle Club's Annual Bike Swap. No commission.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Janice Tower, jtower@alaska.com

Spring Gear Swap and Bike Fest

WHEN: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Mat-Su Borough Gym, Palmer

DETAILS: This Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers event is a great way to clean out the closets and garages, and/or buy some great used stuff for the summer. Good outdoor gear and free classes throughout the day. Lots of bikes for kids.

COST: Free.

CONTACT: 1-907-746-6010; www.vmbah.org

FLORA & FAUNA

Bird nests

WHEN: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 19

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: It's spring, and birds are ready to lay their eggs. But first they need a nest. Volunteer naturalist Beth Baker will explore the why, how and where of nest-building, a fascinating aspect of bird behavior.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday and Thursday

WHERE: Monday at Bicentennial Park: Abbott Community Park; Thursday at Ray E. Storck Homestead Park.

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday hike an easier trail, suitable for kids. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org

Dew Mound Bound

WHEN: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for a 6.5-mile round-trip hike. Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. The trail is fairly level with a total elevation gain of about 800 feet. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with lunch/snacks, water, wind/rain clothing and warm layers. Call for trail conditions and to register. Limited to 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register by phone.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

KIDS

Woodpecker drumline

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Woodpeckers are doing a lot of drumming during spring. Come and learn more about this noisy bird. A 1-mile walk to look and listen for woodpeckers.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

MEETINGS & CLASSES

Mountaineering Symposium

WHEN: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Monday

WHERE: UAA Campus Bookstore

DETAILS: UAA's David Stevenson will lead a discussion about mountaineer literature with Clare Chesher, literary critic from the Department of English at UAA; Charlie Sassara, climber and owner of Alaska Rock Gym; and Bill Sherwonit, author of "Living with Wildness."

COST: Free

About Boating Safely

WHEN: 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: BP Energy Center

DETAILS: This course is designed to educate new boaters in skills needed to safely handle and operate a boat in Alaska waters. Boating law, trailering, navigation, safety equipment, hunting and fishing, water skiing, river boating and protecting your boat.

COST: $40

CONTACT: Lydays, 522-5052; Tom Kane, 441-8182

Wilderness first responder class

WHEN: 8 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Seward Windsong Lodge

DETAILS: A great class for anyone who spends significant time outdoors and/or in the backcountry. You'll learn basic medical knowledge, and field applications and treatments. This is an eight-day intensive course.

COST: $575

CONTACT: 1-406-980-0762

Astronomy Series

WHEN: 8 p.m. every first and third Friday of the month through April

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Our astronomers will present a special topic and answer questions. If the skies are clear, be ready to go outside and view the night sky using your own binoculars or telescope, or share the ones set up by our astronomers. Children can earn their Junior Astronomer Certificate after attending six programs and completing "Star Notes."

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

RECREATION

16th Annual Katmai Elderhostel

WHEN: Registration open; event June 1-7

WHERE: Brooks Camp, Naknek Lake

DETAILS: Blue lakes, volcanoes, brown bears, archeological sites and good company. Participants learn about the natural, human, geologic and volcanic history of the area from recognized experts through lectures, discussions and field trips. College credit available.

COST: $1,142, excluding travel

CONTACT: 1-800-454-5768, or go to www.elderhostel.org and look up program No. 1025.

Denali reservations available

WHERE: By phone, online, mail, fax

DETAILS: Reservations for shuttle buses and sites at Denali National Park's four largest campgrounds are available by phone, online, mail and fax. Phone reservations, 1-800-622-7275 or 1-907-272-7275. Go online at www.reservedenali.com.

COST: Varied

CONTACT: www.nps.gov/dena; 1-907-683-2294.

RUNNING

Exceed Women's Running Team

WHEN: 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Anchorage Bowl locations

DETAILS: Exceed Women's Running Team meets every Tuesday at 6 p.m. April through August, for coached track and trail runs. Call or visit our Web site for workout locations. Try us twice for free.

COST: $100 per person