WEDNESDAY
Knee-high Naturalist, 11 a.m.-noon, Eagle River Nature Center. This nature-based program is for preschoolers ages 2-5, together with a parent. The theme is "Animal Homes." Limited to 10 children registered at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)
Guided nature walks, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center. Join a docent Wednesday through Sunday for a short walk around the Rodak Loop to learn about the history, flora and fauna of the Eagle River Valley. Sign in at front desk. (Free program; $5 parking for nonmembers. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)
Westchester Lagoon and Coastal Trail summer bird walks, 6:30-8:30 p.m., 1824 W. 15th Ave. Walks focus on birds that use the Anchorage Coastal Important Bird Area, a 20-mile coastal strip that includes Ship Creek, Westchester Lagoon and Point Woronzof. Meet at Westchester Lagoon and continue along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. The pace will be leisurely with frequent stops to look for birds. Binoculars available. Free. (276-7034, www.audubonalaska.org)
Alaska Dirt Divas Bicentennial Park bike ride, 7-8:30 p.m., Far North Bicentennial Park, Hillside parking. Bring plenty of water. Annual membership is $35. alaskadirtdivas.blogspot.com
THURSDAY
Junior Naturalist program, 11 a.m.-noon, Eagle River Nature Canter, 32750 Eagle River Road. Grades K-6 will learn how to read a map and use a compass. Bring your own if you have one. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694-2108, ernc.org)
Bear Valley hike, 6:30 p.m., meet at Ray E. Storck Park. Alaska Outdoors hosts easy-to-moderate social hikes throughout Anchorage. Thursday hikes are for moderate hikers. $1 for nonmembers. (440-9934, alaska-outdoors.org)
SATURDAY
Weed Smackdown, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Russian Jack Springs Park. A family-friendly event to control invasive plants, targeting European bird cherry, an invader that degrades moose and salmon habitat. Volunteers will work with members of the Anchorage Cooperative Weed Management Area. Tools supplied, but bring work gloves. There will be prizes and a free lunch. (www.weedwar.net)
Alyeska Enduro mountain biking, 10 a.m.-noon, Alyeska Resort, Girdwood. A 6.5-mile loop will consist of three downhill timed segments linked by untimed uphill segments. Result will be the combined time of the three segments. Registration will begin 9 a.m. with racing at 10 am. Free entry.
Reflection Lake Family Fun Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Knik River Access on the Glenn Highway at Knik River. Walk around the lake, eat a hot dog or catch a fish. Guided nature walks offered. Enjoy the view from the new observation tower. Duck hunting displays and exhibits by the Alaska Waterfowl Association, canoe rentals and more. Free. (240-4090).
Don't Get Lost, 2-3 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center. Jr. Naturalist Program for grades K-6. Learn to read a map and use a compass. Bring a compass if you have one. Free program; $5 parking for non-members. (694 2108, www.ernc.org)
MONDAY
Kincaid Park hike, 6:30 p.m., Kincaid Park Chalet, 6998 Raspberry Road. Alaska Outdoors hosts easy to moderate social hikes throughout Anchorage. Monday hikes, for beginners and families with children, are on established and mostly flat trails, lasting about 90 minutes. $1 for nonmembers. (440-9934, alaska-outdoors.org/wordpress)
TUESDAY
Wildlife Diaries: Galapagos, 7 p.m., The Alaska Zoo, 4731 O'Malley Road. This week's topic is "Darwin's Islands." Learn about the history and importance of the Galapagos. Regular zoo admission rates apply. (alaskazoo.org/wildlife-diaries)
COMING UP
Wrangell Bearfest, July 22-26. Forum on "Bears and Climate Change" featuring a scientific symposium, family events, photography and music workshops, a marathon and other events. U.S. Forest Service employees will lead discussions on managing the Anan Wildlife Observatory, and Bobbie Jo Skibo from the Chugach National Forest will share her experiences with bear-human interactions on the Kenai Peninsula. Wrangell is 30 miles northwest of the Anan Wildlife Observatory, one of Alaska's premier bear-viewing areas. From July 5-Aug. 25, an individual pass is required to visit the observatory. For a schedule, alaskabearfest.org (907-874-7550) csdelabrue@fs.fed.us)
Jeff Dusenbury Sweat Fest, 7 p.m., July 24, West High School. 2-mile and 5-mile runs. First 350 racers who sign up get a T-shirt. Can't make it? Register as a phantom runner and donate in Jeff's memory. Walk or run this race to honor the cyclist killed in a hit-and-run incident last summer. Proceeds will benefit the Alaska Boys & Girls Club. $35 adults, $20 ages 14 and under, price goes up $5 for day-of-race registration. (www.jeffdusenburysweatfest.com)
Race for Recovery: Mud Run, 9:30 a.m., July 25, Tozier Track, 3400 E. Tudor Road. Get muddy and raise money to support Anchorage Community Mental Health Services Inc. Alaska's only homegrown mud race combines military-style and natural obstacles on a challenging course. Funds raised support outreach programs for runaway or homeless youth. Alaska Youth Advocates provides a drop-in center, food bank, clothing and a safe space for teens. Register as a team or individual. $45 includes a free T-shirt and rally towel. Kid's Run 2-K for ages 7-13 is $10 and includes a free T-shirt. All funds stay in Anchorage to benefit local residents. (261-5395,www.acmhs.com/support-us/2015-race-for-recovery)
Rock Skip in Lake Minchumina, 1-5 p.m. July 25, Lake Minchumina, The community of a dozen, with a great air field, post office and community library with Internet, holds this event each year. Rock skipping is dependent on the flying weather from Fairbanks to the lake. If it is bad, but the next day is expected to be good, the event likely will be held. Otherwise, check the Facebook page as the festival is often re-scheduled for the next week. Bring something for the barbecue. Soft drinks and juices are especially valued because there is no community well. Gasoline is also valued for the 4-wheelers and trucks that residents use to transport visitors. Also toilet paper for the outhouses. The only rule is no imported rocks. (674-3113)
Running With the Bulls, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Aug. 2, Musk Ox Farm, 12850 E. Archie Road, Palmer. The event includes a 1-K Kids Fun-Run, a 5-K Run/Walk, and a challenging 10-K run for the serious stampeder. Bib pick-up and race-day registration begins 11 a.m., with races at 1 p.m. Entry fee includes bib, race time, official race T-shirt, REI water bottle, snacks and door prize ticket. Pre-register at www.muskoxfarm.org/events.
Friends of Nike Site Summit tours, Arctic Valley. Tours in morning and afternoon on Aug. 1, Aug. 22 and Sept. 13. Reservations are required 30 days in advance. Participants can make reservations at www.nikesitesummit.net/nike-site-summit-tours.html. Or call 907-929-9870 to make payment and reservation arrangements. Once home to Nike Hercules missiles during the Cold War, the location is being saved for posterity by Friends of Nike Site Summit in cooperation with Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Learn to camp programs for families are offered this summer by National Park Service rangers. The Alaska Public Lands Information Center offers two weekend family camping programs in Denali National Park and Preserve, Aug. 7-9 and Aug. 14-16. National Park Rangers and Alaska Geographic education staff will facilitate these programs, designed to teach the basic skills of camping responsibly in Alaska. Families will get plenty of hands-on experience working on campsite set-up, cooking, and dealing with wildlife at the Savage River Campground. The Fairbanks Alaska Public Lands Information Center will provide camping gear and Alaska Geographic will provide meals and snacks. Families must drive themselves to and from Denali and pay the $10 per person (age 16 and older) park entrance fee. Space is limited. (907-459-3731 or email maria_berger@nps.gov)
To submit an event, go to adn.com/events. Submit events at least 10 days in advance.