Anchorage Daily News

BIRDING

Friday night on the Coastal Trail

WHEN: 8-10 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Westchester Lagoon parking lot

WHAT: Sirena Brownlee will lead a search for migrant shorebirds on the tide flats along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. High tide is 9 p.m. Dowitchers, godwits, surfbirds, yellowlegs and other shorebirds should be fueling up for their southward migration.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Sirena.Brownlee@hdrinc.com

CYCLING

Learn skills, ride at Kincaid

WHEN: 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday

WHERE: Hilltop trail head in Far North Bicentennial Park (Monday), Kincaid Raspberry trailhead (Wednesday)

DETAILS: Join Alaska Dirt Divas for beginner skills seminar on Monday. Learn the basics from shifting and braking to climbing and descending. On Wednesday, enjoy the wide, smooth trails of Kincaid, with some hills.

COST: Free, but memberships is encouraged.

CONTACT: www.alaskadirtdivas.blogspot.com

Learn skills, ride Powerline

WHEN: 7 p.m. July 21 and July 23

WHERE: Hilltop trail head in Far North Bicentennial Park (Monday), Glen Alps trail head near Flattop (Wednesday)

DETAILS: On Monday, build on the beginner skills clinic from the week before with Alaska Dirt Divas. On Wednesday, ride the hills of Powerline to the alpine lakes and back. Helmets required; no exceptions.

COST: Free, but memberships is encouraged.

CONTACT: www.alaskadirtdivas.blogspot.com

DENALI ROAD LOTTERY

Apply for permit in July

WHEN: Apply in July; those selected drive Sept. 12-15

WHERE: Denali National Park

DETAILS: Mail entries accepted through July 31 for up to 400 vehicles a day permitted to drive 92-mile Denali Park Road. Include a nonrefundable $10 check or money order payable to National Park Service. Winners will be posted on the park Web site. On application envelope, entrants must include a return address including a first and last name; and choice of dates in order of preference, written on the back of the envelope. One entry per person, addressed to: Denali National Park and Preserve, P.O. Box 588; Talkeetna, AK 99676. Applicants will be notified by mail on the status of their entry. Those selected will receive a confirmation letter.

CONTACT: www.nps.gov/dena/whatsnew.htm or 1-907-683-2294

FISHING

Lagoon open to young anglers

WHEN: Today

WHERE: Seward Lagoon and lagoon stream

DETAILS: Open to king salmon fishing for anglers 15 years of age or younger. King salmon fishing reported to be slow. Bag and possession limit is two kings per day of any size. Single-hook artificial lures and bait are legal. All fish caught other than king salmon must be released. More youth fishing days at the Seward Lagoon and lagoon outfall stream for silver salmon will be Aug. 29-31 and Sept. 5-7

COST: Free

CONTACT: State fishery biologist Chuck Brazil at 267-2186

FLORA AND FAUNA

Art adventures outdoors

WHEN: 6-8 p.m. Thursday for lecture; 1-6 p.m. Saturday for hike

WHERE: Anchorage Museum, 121 W. Seventh Ave.; various locations for hikes

DETAILS: Learn about art at the museum and create your own art inspired by Anchorage's many trails in these fun and interesting art adventures offered in conjunction with the Municipality of Anchorage Department of Parks and Recreation. "Quick Draw Bragaw" is the first course, Thursday and Saturday. "Pioneers' Perspective" is 6-8 p.m. Aug. 8 and noon- 7 p.m. Aug. 10

COST: $15

CONTACT: 343-4260

Potter Marsh grand opening

WHEN: Noon-4 p.m. July 26; ceremony and eagle release 3:30-4 p.m.

WHERE: Potter Marsh, Mile 112 Seward Highway.

DETAILS: Help celebrate the $3.1 million improvements to Anchorage's popular wildlife viewing area. This family-friendly event includes nature-related games and prizes, invertebrate sampling, birding stations along the boardwalk, shuttle tours for wildlife viewing around the marsh, educational animals from The Alaska Zoo, a rehabilitated eagle release and more.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-2168; elizabeth.manning@alaska.gov

Potter Marsh bird walk

WHEN: 7 a.m. July 26

WHERE: Meet at the Potter Marsh Parking Lot, Mile 112 Seward Highway.

DETAILS: Anchorage Audubon volunteers will lead an early morning bird walk at Potter Marsh in celebration of the grand opening of new boardwalk

COST: Free

CONTACT: 929-8051, Sirena.Brownlee@hdrinc.com

Natural history workshop

WHEN: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Naturalist Ute Olsson will cover the geology, ecology and botany of Southcentral. Limited to 16 participants.

COST: Free to Interpretive Naturalist Program of Alaska participants; others pay $20.

CONTACT: 694-2108 to register

Stay safe around bears

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Rick Sinnott of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will discuss bear behavior and how to stay safe living and recreating in bear country.

COST: Free; parking $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Favorite backyard insects

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center, 6865 Elmore Road

DETAILS: Michael Rasy of the UAF Cooperative Extension Service will describe the traits insects share and then hunt for some in the woods and fields of Campbell Tract.

CONTACT: 267-1247

Learn about our ravens

WHEN: 7 p.m. July 23

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center, 6865 Elmore Road

DETAILS: The biggest songbirds and one of the most widely distributed birds in the world are common here. Meet a captive raven up close and learn more from Deann Sabol of the Bird Treatment and Learning Center.

CONTACT: 267-1247

Watch for beavers

WHEN: 8 p.m. July 25

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Last chance to go on a 2.5-mile naturalist-guided walk to view an active beaver colony, if the Albert Loop is still open before salmon arrive. Bring binoculars if you have them. This program is not appropriate for small children because of distance walked and the need for quiet to observe beavers.

COST: $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108 to register

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Campbell Creek Trail makeover

WHEN: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 81st Avenue and Arctic Boulevard

DETAILS: Working on Taku Lake/C Street to Minnesota and Northwood spur of Campbell Creek Trail. Selective thinning and brushing will open visibility on blind corners, remove black spruce and alder deadfall. Wear work boots, work gloves. Bring water, small face towel and mosquito repellent. Loppers and brushing tools provided. Bring a sack lunch.

Weekly Anchorage hikes

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

WHERE: Kincaid Chalet on Monday, Prospect Heights on Thursday

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday hike is a family hike, generally flat and easy trail. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: Free

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

Mat-Su Hike Series

WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturdays through Aug. 16

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: Join Spring Creek Outdoor Adventures for guided Mat-Su hikes during the summer. Successive hikes will increase in length and difficulty.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Mid-week nordic walking

WHEN: 6:15-7 p.m. Tuesday; 6:15-8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Various parks

DETAILS: Low-impact approach to increasing health outdoors. Concentrate on quality workouts over moderate and longer courses. Pair up with others of similar speed and intensity to practice technique and increase mileage. Ages 12 and up.

COST: $5 a day or pre-paid with pass or punch card.

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260 or randallr@muni.org

Big Wild Trails at Kincaid Park

WHEN: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Discover new trails while increasing your personal fitness on this more-advanced hiking series.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-6397, 343-6566

KIDS

Family safari at Russian Jack

WHEN: 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 12

WHERE: Russian Jack Springs chalet

DETAILS: Explore Anchorage's municipal parks using a mix of treasure hunting and navigation called "letterboxing." Families will meet at designated parks with maps and clues to letterboxes that hold interesting facts, a stamp to mark your park map and more clues to the next letterbox. For families of all ages.

COST: $19 per family

CONTACT: Anchorage Parks And Recreation. 343-6992, www.muni.org/parks

Parent and Me walks

WHEN: 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays through Aug. 12

WHERE: Selkregg Chalet at Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Moms, dads and children are invited to learn the trail systems in Anchorage with Parks and Recreation staff. Trail strollers and backpacks are welcome.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-4217, www.muni.org/parks

Kincaid adventure camps begin

WHEN: 9-11:45 a.m. weekly through Aug. 8

WHERE: Kincaid Park chalet

DETAILS: Enjoy the summer exploring Kincaid Park with weekly themes, including pathfinding, discovery, water week, summer smorgasbord, up, up and away and wilderness skills.

COST: $75 per week

CONTACT: 343-4217, www.muni.org/parks

Outside play program in Palmer

WHEN: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Aug. 20

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: "Come Outside and Play" is Spring Creek Outdoor Adventures-sponsored program for kids of all ages. Outdoor games featured each week; snacks included.

COST: $2 per child, no registration necessary

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Nature Walk and Talk for kids

WHEN: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays through Aug. 19

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: Nature walk around Spring Creek Farm. Then sit back with a snack while listening to a storybook. For ages 5 up; children must be accompanied by adult. Bring your own snacks.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

ORIENTEERING

Giselle & Dela's Nature Orienteering

WHEN: 5-7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: APU Mosley Center

DETAILS: On the APU campus

COST: $5 members, $6 nonmembers

CONTACT: Gisele 345-1010 www.oalaska.org

ROCKHOUNDING

Learn to identify rocks

WHEN: 6:30-8:30 p.m. July 21 and July 23

WHERE: Bittner House (first session), Kincaid Park

DETAILS: Learn how to find and identify rocks. Discuss polishing and other techniques with Rock Shop instructors. All ages. Adults must accompany children under 12.

COST: $10

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

ROLLERSKIING

Rollerski races

WHEN: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 20

WHERE: Daily News parking lot

DETAILS: Sprints and long-course races in the second of a five-race summer series. Both men's and women's races. Must be 12 or older; helmets and gloves required.

COST: $20

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

WILDERNESS SAFETY

Glacier travel, crevasse rescue

WHEN: July 19-20 or Aug. 23-24

WHERE: Matanuska Glacier

DETAILS: Two-day workshop provides introductory instruction on the techniques needed to travel safely on a glacier. Learn crampon use, self arrest, ice screw placement, anchor building, belaying, fixed line ascension, and hauling and raising systems.

COST: $350 per person

CONTACT: Alaska Mountaineering School, 1-907-733-1016 or email info@climbalaska. org

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Compiled by Daily News outdoors editor Mike Campbell.

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Site of the week

alaskabikeblog.blogspot.com

Nice site for year-round Alaska biking information.

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