Outdoors

The recent polar vortex had its grip on the Upper Delaware River and the entire region. Most of our rivers are now iced in, and fly fishing is out of the question without distant travel. It will be a long time before we wade again and scan the Delaware’s pools for rising trout.

LIBERTY, NY — Property owners and municipalities can learn proper identification and management techniques for invasive species with hands-on activities on Wednesday, February 7. The class will be held from 12 noon to 3 p.m.

If asked about winter raptor watching, the first thing that would pop into mind is eagles. This region is one of the favorite wintering habitats for Canadian bald eagles in the Northeast, and that’s not counting the ever increasing number of resident bald eagles that stay in the area year-round.

HAWLEY, PA — An additional 50 acres in Pike County is now permanently conserved and is protecting clean water and wildlife habitat, thanks to its owners and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC).

REGION — The Delaware River Basin Commission (DRBC) has announced its winter photo contest, highlighting amateur and professional photography that conveys the beauty, diversity, function and significance of the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, a 13,539-square-mile watershed.

REGION — The Environmental Leadership Program is now accepting applications for the Delaware River Watershed Fellowship Program, an intensive leadership and skills training and provides the opportunity to learn and collaborate with regional and national networks. The deadline for applications is January 10.

I recently received an email message from The Wilderness Society highlighting the “biggest wilderness milestones in 2017.” Unfortunately, most were the dismal and disturbing actions taken by our nation’s current administration to dismantle or eliminate hard-won environmental policies and protections, beginning in January with “scrubbing” mention

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) at 538 Emery Rd. will host cross-country skiing sessions for beginners throughout January. Dates will be Sunday, January 14 and Sunday, January 21 from 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, January 27 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and Sunday, January 28 from 1 to 3 p.m.