Hawk Mountain invites visitors to look for returning raptors and other migrants during its annual Spring Hawk Watch, held daily April 1 through May 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sanctuary’s famous North Lookout.

Trail fees apply for non-members and cost $10 for adults, $7 for seniors, and $5 for children ages 6 to 12. Members are admitted free, year-round, and memberships can be purchased online or at the Visitor Center.

During the count, staff, trainees, and volunteers will be stationed at the Lookout to help visitors spot and identify raptors, including broad-winged hawks, redtails, ospreys, and bald eagles. Migration typically peaks in mid to late April, especially on days with southerly winds and cloud cover, when counts of more than 100 birds may be seen. For raptor enthusiasts and those who cannot make it to Hawk Mountain, daily counts are posted throughout the season at www.hawkmountain.org.

The 2,500-acre Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and is open to the public year-round by trail-fee or membership, which in turn supports the non-profit organization’s raptor conservation mission and local-to-global research, training, and education programs. To learn more about Hawk Mountain or other programs, please call 610-756-6961 or visit www.hawkmountain.org.

For 10 years, participants have been enjoying this springtime adventure challenge in two separate events, a 50k and 15k, both culminating in a finish-line picnic celebration at the Ironmaster’s Mansion at Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the famed halfway point along the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. We cannot wait to offer another fun and satisfying day —  you will experience the same rock scrambles, grueling ascents, ridgeline vistas, spring wildflowers, rushing streams and lakesides, and epic single track trails through Michaux State Forest.

STARTING TIME: Individuals timed and recorded for 10 hours from start of earliest event.

• 50K Ultra: 6:30 AM registration begins at Furnace Stack Pavilion, 7:30 AM start, finish by 5:30 PM
• 15K Challenge: 8 AM registration begins at Furnace Stack Pavilion, 9 AM start, must finish by 2:30 PM

All proceeds from the race support Central PA Conservancy’s mission to protect natural resources in a 5-county service region through land acquisition, conservation easements, education, and outreach

Featuring regional native plant vendors, art vendors, live music, and refreshments! Through April 15, shop online pre-sale of native trees, shrubs and perennials at-www.manada.org!

This event is a fundraiser to support the land preservation and environmental education efforts of the Manada Conservancy, a nonprofit land trust serving Dauphin County.

Members-only complimentary breakfast 8-10am plus 10% off Manada plants purchased throughout the day

Pollinators are some of the most important animals on the planet. Many plants need them to reproduce. They are critical members of the food web. Human agriculture and economies lean on them heavily. Alarmingly, global pollinator populations are plummeting, due largely to our sterile modern landscape.

The good news is that anyone with a backyard can help provide habitat for these wonderful, essential insects!

This program is free and open to the public. Please register by contacting Manada Conservancy at office@manada.org or 717-566-4122.