PA. PARKS

PA. PARKS
McConnell's, Moraine
Animal tracking and stargazing events will be on tap this weekend and next at McConnell's Mill State Park, near Portersville, Pa., as well as a nature walk and boat cruises this week and next at Moraine State Park in Butler, Pa.
MCCONNELL'S MILL
Name that Track: This program is scheduled for 2 to 3 p.m. today in the Kildoo picnic area. Participants will have the opportunity to identify various tracks left behind and see what animals made them.
Star Light, Star Bright: People will have a chance to take part in this 1 1/2-hour stargazing show, set to begin at 8:30 p.m. Saturday in the Kildoo ball field. Those taking part will learn to read a star guide and identify various constellations, and participants should bring a lawn chair or blanket, star guides, red covered flashlights, insect repellent and binoculars.
Who's Chopping the Trees? Participants are invited at 2 p.m. next Sunday to the Alpha Pass Trailhead near the Old Mill to learn what types of animals are able to cut down trees along the Alpha Pass Trail and how they do it.
The park also offers two half-hour corn-grinding demonstrations beginning at 1 and 3 p.m. These demonstrations allow participants to take a look into how corn is transformed into flour. Also offered are two 45-minute Historic Grist Mill Tours starting at 2 and 4 p.m. that take people through the history of how grain is processed and made into flour. Both events are on Saturdays and Sundays at the Old Mill.
For information about McConnell's programs, call Jackie Kline, park naturalist, at (724) 368-9320.
MORAINE
Native Plant/Butterfly Trail walk: The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday with Natalie Price, developer of the trail. Discussion will involve the plants and their placement among the trail.
IMAP Project: The evening will begin at 7 p.m. July 25 at McDaniel's Launch in pavilion seven with slides about the project of mapping important mammal areas in Pennsylvania, followed by an evening boat cruise of Lake Arthur.