The state department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced several planned activities for Locust Lake State Park in Barnesville, Schuylkill County, and a program at a park in Carbon County.

• Susan Gallagher, chief naturalist at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center, will present "Bats: Fact and Fiction" at Locust Lake amphitheater at 6 p.m. Saturday. Gallagher will have a live bat to share facts and dispel myths surrounding the only flying mammal. She will talk about their unique anatomy and the habits and diet of local bats. There will also be a discussion about White Nose Syndrome and how it is affecting the bat population.• OnJune 16, starting at 10 a.m. a hike to the Silver Creek Fire Tower will be conducted. The hike will explore the mountain behind Locust Lake. The hike is 9 miles long and difficult. The pine stands and brush are perfect habitat for birds and other wildlife. Participants should meet at the visitor parking lot at the park, located before the contact station. Bring a lunch and dogs are welcome. All pets must be leashed and get along with people and other pets. For further information contact Robin Tracey at 570-467-2506. Shine only.Tracey will be at Beltzville State Park in Carbon County on June 18 for a hike on the Christman and Cover Ridge trails. The hike is 6 miles long and moderate in difficulty. The trails traverse through an evergreen forest and runs parallel to the lake. Along the way is a beautiful waterfall. Meet in the Christman Trail parking lot located on Pohopoco Drive at 10:30 a.m. Bring a lunch or snacks. Call Tracey between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. for more information or weather conditions. This is a dog-friendly hike, but all pets must be leashed and get along with other pets and people. Shine only.• Smokey Bear will be at Locust Lake amphitheater at 5:30

p.m.June 18. Dave Duffy, the fire chief from New England Fire Company, will give a fire prevention and campfire safety presentation followed by a visit from Smokey Bear. This program is free and open to the public. Shine only and all children must be accompanied by an adult.• Also on that day naturalist George Gress will be at the amphitheater at 8 p.m. for a program on bog turtles. Gress is a fire specialist/and steward for the nature conservancy and manages the bog turtle program in Pennsylvania. Bog turtles are the smallest turtles that occur in the state. They are federally listed as threatened and are protected under the Endangered Species Act.Gress is also an avid nature photographer and his photographs have been featured in various publications. Come along on a photo journey into the habitat and lives of these tiny turtles. Shine only.• OnJune 25, in the Locust Lake amphitheater starting at 6 p.m. Mary Ann Owens will be on hand to speak about the ancient art of storytelling and how it was used in the past. She will also be sharing some Native American stories using puppets and audience participation. The program will be moved the shelter near the camp store in case of inclement weather.