Winter is cold, but it’s still a great time to get outside and enjoy nature. There are things that you can see in the winter that you don’t see normally. I like birding better in the winter because it’s easier to spot birds when there isn’t foliage in the way. 

Here are some great events coming up soon to encourage you to bundle up and get outside, during these cold winter days:

• Today, Saturday, Feb. 22nd from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge in Parksville Kentucky is going to host a winter night hike. Participants should meet in the parking lot at 6 p.m. and dress for the weather. More information can be found on the Central Kentucky Wildlife Refuge Facebook page. This is a unique opportunity because the wildlife refuge usually closes at dusk. 
• Also today, Saturday, Feb. 22, and next Saturday, Feb. 29, there is a group hike at the Pinnacles in Berea Kentucky. This hike is from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and participants should meet in the forestry Outreach Center parking lot. For more information you can visit the forestry Outreach Center Facebook.
• Saturday, March 14, and Saturday, April 11, from 9 to 10 a.m., there are outdoor skills class at McConnell Springs Park in Lexington, Kentucky. There were two more in this series, that started in January, but some of the topics that will be discussed during the series are knots, camping, hiking, backpacking, and more. For more information call McConnell Springs Park at (859) 225-4073 or visit the Lexington KY Parks & Recreation Facebook Page.
• If you want to get outside but don’t want to hike, Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is hosting stargazing events. The first one is on Saturday, March 21 at 8 p.m. They do want you to register for this program by calling (859) 272-6105 and say that participants should arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start time so they can get parked. For more information, you can visit the Lexington KY Parks & Recreation Facebook Page. 

If you know of any other winter weather outdoors events that are coming up, please let me know. I love to get outside even when it’s cold, as long as it’s not too cold. If you can’t make it to an organized group activity you can still go out on your own and take a nice stroll or go for a hike. Just make sure you bundle up! 

 

Amanda’s Animal Fact of the Week

Snowy owls can survive in temperatures as low as 80 degrees below zero.