2010 Guided Outdoor Public Events in Kansas

January 1 • New Year’s Day Hike with Prairie Packers
Topeka’s Prairie Packers Club will lead a hike on the Landon Trail. Meet at the 53rd and Adams parking lot at 9:30 am. After the hike they plan to have lunch at Perkins. Visit www.prairiepackers.org.

January 1 • New Year’s Day Hike with Kansas City Outdoor Club
The Kansas City Outdoor Club will lead a hike along the Kansas River on the Mill Creek Streamway. From I-435, turn west on Holiday Drive. Cross the railroad tracks and watch for the Wilder Drive Trailhead on your left. Meet prior to 1 PM. Plans for lunch afterward TBA. Visit www.kcoc.info.

January 16 • Eagle Day at Wyandotte County Lake
Join us for the 9th annual Eagle Day, with eagle presentations by Operation Wildlife at 10:30 am and 1 pm, a Birds of Prey exhibit at 10 am and 3 pm, a presentation of the PBS show American Eagle at 11:30 am, and children's crafts activities and eagle watching all day. See www.kckpl.lib.ks.us/schlagle or phone 913-299-2384.

January 16 & 17 • Annual Eagle Days at Milford Nature Center
Each day will feature speakers, live bird presentations, and free bus trips to observe bald eagles in the wild. Events are free and also include a heated tent with hands-on activities, including a life-sized eagle nest. See www.milfordnaturecenter.info or phone 785-238-5323.

January 23 • Eagle Day at Perry Lake
The Perry Reservoir Eagle Day will be January 23. Phone 785-597-5739 for details.

January 24 • Kaw Valley Eagles Day
This free event celebrates the return of bald eagles to Lawrence’s area lakes and rivers. Held at Free State High School from 11 AM to 3 PM. More details will be posted at www.naturalkansas.org/birding.htm as they become available.

January 30 & February 6 • Hike and Eagle Watch at Chaplin Nature Center
Searching for open water, many eagles migrate to Kansas for the winter. The group will take a 1.5 mile hike down to the Arkansas River to search for eagles from 10 AM to noon. If you have binoculars, bring them. The Center is located in Arkansas City. Visit www.wichitaaudubon.org or phone (620) 442-4133.

January 31 • Day Hike at Overland Park Arboretum
Help replenish our local food bank when you enjoy a brisk winter hike at the Overland Park Arboretum. Six miles of natural and paved trails meander bottomlands alongside Wolf Creek then climb a rocky ridge passing through a tunnel of cedar and pine. Paved trails lead along ponds and water gardens. We'll hike for an hour and a half to two hours. If you would like to participate, bring 2 (or more) canned or non-perishable food items for St. James Food Pantry. We'll collect food items at the time of sign up. The hike will begin at 2 PM in the Arboretum parking lot.

Directions: from Overland Park, take US 69 South and exit at 179th Street. Turn right (west), the arboretum will be on your left. A carpool will leave from the IHOP parking lot at 1:30 PM; 8701 W. 63rd Street, Merriam, KS 66202. Cancel in case of treacherous driving conditions. Contact: Julie at trailsofkansas@kc.rr.com.

March 25-April 25 • Prairie Chicken Viewing
View the amazing courtship behavior of the Greater Prairie Chicken! Konza Prairie Biological Station and the Konza Environmental Education Program offer guided tours from an observation blind daily, four weeks each spring. Viewing is by reservation only, and on a first-come, first-served basis. You must arrive before first light. Visitors come within 10 to 50 feet of 5 to 15 booming birds. Peak activity on the Konza Prairie lek usually occurs in early April. Cost is $15 per person. Make arrangements for your visit as far in advance as possible. See http://keep.konza.ksu.edu/visit/blind.htm or phone Annie Baker at 785-587-0381.

March 27 • Guided Bird Walk at Overland Park Arboretum
Meet at 7 AM to join our bird specialist as he takes you on a walk through the Arboretum sharing his wealth of knowledge about birds and how to identify them by their songs and calls. Please dress appropriately (closed toe shoes and long pants are recommended). Bug repellent and binoculars are encouraged. Bird Walks are sponsored by the Wild Birds Unlimited Nature Shop. FREE class, limited to 10 adults--space is limited, please pre-register by calling 913-685-3604 or by e-mailing: volunteercoordinator@opkansas.org.

Meet at Visitor's Center- OP Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, 8909 W. 179th Street, Overland Park Kansas. Visit www.opabg.org or phone 913-685-3604.

April 17 • Cabin Fever Challenge Bike Ride
Looking for an early spring ride and a place to trade cycling items? Then join us for a day of bicycling and fun in beautiful Pottawatomie County. The 6th Annual Cabin Fever Challenge will begin and end at the Wamego Middle School, Wamego, KS. New this year is a Bike Swap Meet. Net proceeds from the ride will be used for trail building. Cabin Fever Challenge includes three paved routes: 54, 37, or 16 miles. Check-in, 7:30-8:45 AM, mass start at 9 AM. Riders may turn around at any point during the 16-mile route to customize riding distance. Course closes for all routes at 2 PM. Visit www.wam-sag-man.org or phone 785-494-2319.