Winter 2003 

• Study nature all year long in a variety of places.
• Experience user-friendly, individual and small group learning in natural settings.
• Work directly out-of-doors with other naturalists.

WV Eco-tours cost $10.00 per person, including transportation, materials and lunch (children under 12 are free)

E-mail: natseas@citynet.net

January 11: The Texture of Trees. Form and function will guide our study of the three-dimensional nature of tree bark. We'll work in the mature forest areas of the Watter Smith State Park near West Milford, WV. We'll also sharpen our winter tree identification skills during the fieldwork.

January 25: Track Me if You Can. We'll study signs of animal activity in the dead of winter by examining tracks, scats, and feeding signs in the wildlife management area of Burnsville Lake near Burnsville, WV. We will also examine winter landscapes for photographic and aesthetic opportunities.

February 8: Winter Weeds and Snow: We'll examine the plant forms left in the fields around the Watter Smith State Park near West Milford, WV. Weather permitting, various forms of snow will also be studied.

February 22 The Tracks of Time: study the late winter patterns of bird and mammal tracks in the snow and mud of the Burnsville Lake wildlife management area. We'll also be looking for any harbingers of spring.

March 8: Elk river wildlife management area: Early Spring Study: Learn to recognize the first signs of spring coming as we study the soils, plants, water and animals around trails along the Elk river.

March 29: Burnsville wildlife management area: Water Courses Study: Learn to recognize water flows and their effects on plants and animals along trails near the Little Kanawha river.

March 21-23: Opossum Creek Retreat near Lansing, WV and the New River Gorge national park. Spring Equinox Weekend. Join United Natural West Virginia and Natural Lifeways Inc. for its quarterly meeting and field studies Contributions are accepted for WV-registered environmental non-profit organizations.