Jennings Center features family events this month

Staff report

SLIPPERY ROCK, PA.

Jennings Environmental Education Center, 2951 Prospect Road, is hosting family-friendly activities this month.

Adults are invited to learn how to make their own maple syrup at home from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Learn everything from how to choose an appropriate tree through tapping, collecting and evaporating maple sap.

Participants will learn, observe and practice the steps in the sugaring process and discover how it can be done on a backyard scale. Information and resources will be provided for finding out more and getting started at home.

An optional tour of Jennings sugar bush will follow the workshop from 1 to 2 p.m. The program is free with equipment available to purchase. Registration is required by Wednesday. Register at www.events.dcnr.pa.gov or by calling the center at 724-794-6011.

The next in a series of citizen science investigations for families home-schooling their children is an opportunity to learn about birds, while contributing to scientific research.

From 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14, Jennings will offer an educational session that will feature hands-on discovery centers, an introduction to bird identification, guided observation and counting of birds and instructions for participation in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count.

Attendees will be encouraged to use their new skills to observe birds and submit their own data at home. For age 5 and up. Cost is $3. Register at www.events.dcnr.pa.gov.

From 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 17, join Jennings staff to learn how counting feeder birds can help scientists track bird populations and learn a new hobby in the process – needle felting.

This basic birding and needle-felting workshop is designed for people 14 and older.

Registration is required no later than Feb. 15. Register online or by calling 724-794-6011. A fee of $8 – cash or check – is required. The fee covers all materials, a take-home project and snacks.