FLORA AND FAUNA

Evening Beaver Walk

WHEN: 8 tonight and Friday, May 29

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Join volunteer naturalist Bob Nichols to learn more about this fascinating nocturnal animal. This is a 2.5-mile round-trip walk to an active beaver colony along the upper Albert Loop Trail. Bring binoculars if you have them. Not appropriate for children under the age of 10. Please note the center closes at 7 p.m.; latrines available in the parking lot.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Community gardening series

WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Bittner House, 316 Lynwood Dr., Anchorage

DETAILS: Participants will learn valuable Alaska gardening tips and bring home plants to grow. Sessions include "Starting your own Seedlings," "Container Gardening" and "Raised Bed Gardening."

COST: $5 per session

CONTACT: 343-4217

Early morning bird walks

WHEN: 6:30-8:30 a.m. Thursday

WHERE: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center

DETAILS: Develop and fine tune your birding skills and witness the progression of songbird migration through Campbell Tract this spring. Join BLM staff and Anchorage Audubon Society members for a series of early morning outdoor bird walks in May. Meet in the center's parking lot. Hot cocoa and coffee available afterward.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

HIKING

Weekly outdoor hikes

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

WHERE: Monday at Kincaid Park: Jodhpur parking lot; Thursday at Turnagain Arm: Potter Trailhead

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

KIDS

I spy birds

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Children make really good birders once they're "trained up a bit." Join a naturalist on a walk around the Rodak Trail looking for birds. Bring binoculars if you have them (some available at the front desk).

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Bike safety day

WHEN: 1-3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Fairview Recreation Center

DETAILS: Grab your bike and enjoy an afternoon of games, activities and fun while learning all about bike safety. The first 20 kids will receive a free helmet.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Abbey Harding, 343-4121; HardingAS@muni.org

Explorers Club for K-2nd grade

WHEN: 10 a.m.-noon, Wednesday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Explore along the pond and streams. Children accompanied by a parent are invited to join naturalist Bob Nichols in exploring small animal life in the water. Bring rubber boots and dress for messy exploration. Limited to the first 10 children who are registered by phone.

COST: $6; additional $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Explorers Club for 3rd-6th grade

WHEN: 1-3 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Children accompanied by a parent are invited to join naturalist Bob Nichols in discovering how insects survive in their aquatic environment. Bring rubber boots and dress for messy exploration. Limited to the first 10 children (entering grades 3 through 6) who are registered by phone.

COST: $6; additional $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

RECREATION

Kite surfing

WHEN: Today through May 31

WHERE: Homer

DETAILS: Clinics, food, gear on display and competitions. Today includes an hour-long film festival at a local theater. Several classes for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced classes.

COST: $15 per day; $40 for weekend

CONTACT: www.kitesurfalaska.com

SKIING

Summer nordic ski training

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

WHERE: Chugiak High School

DETAILS: Training will include ski-specific, dry-land exercises, biking and day hikes involving exercises to strengthen the upper and lower body. Workouts will be geared to individual conditioning levels. Three four-week sessions (meeting Tuesdays, Thursdays, and a few Saturdays).

COST: $25 per four-week session