Carbon County Environmental Education Center in Summit Hill has announced the following events and other information.

Most programs offered in-person with limited attendance. Some include a virtual option.

See program descriptions for details at www.carboneec.org/publicprograms. Additional information is also on CCEEC’s Facebook page.

Registration for events are taken by phone only. To register, call 570-645-8597.

CCEEC is located at 151 E. White Bear Drive, Summit Hill. The center building is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekends. Open weekdays,

Protecting the birds

As a visitor, you can help protect the birds kept at CCEEC from bird flu.

Bird flu, also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, is a virus that harms wild and domestic birds.

The risk to people is low, but the disease can kill hawks, eagles, and other birds.

On your next visit, please:

• Stay outdoors and visit the birds along the boardwalk first

• Come inside to see our building and displays after that

• Do not return to the boardwalk after your time inside

If you have chickens, ducks, turkeys or other birds at home, or if you’re visiting to bring a sick bird for rehabilitation, the center asks you not to visit on the boardwalk at all.

Creepy Crawlers

Creepy Crawlers will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the following Mondays at the center. Open to all 2, 3 and 4-year-olds, each session focuses on some aspect of the natural world. Children participate in age-appropriate games, crafts, stories and other activities.

Programs are free for members, and a $5 per-child donation is requested of nonmembers. Please register by phone.

• March 28: “Scavenger Hunt”

• April 18: “Walk on the Wild Side”

• May: No Meeting

• June 27: “Wonderful Water”

• July 25: “Animal Games”

Bird Box Sale

CCEEC is selling assembled bird boxes or kits now through March 11.

Now is the time of year to get boxes installed for most species of cavity nesting birds. Boxes are suitable for bluebirds, wrens, tree swallows and other small birds.

Assembled boxes are $20. Ready-to-assemble kits are $15.

A limited number of assembled, screech owl/American kestrel boxes will be available, pre-order only, for $40.

Spring Hike

Naturalist Jeannie Carl will lead participants on a spring-themed scavenger hunt at 10 a.m. on March 19. Come see what’s blooming, who’s singing, and what’s leaving tracks in the mud this time of year.

Binoculars and field guides available on loan or bring your own. Sturdy, waterproof footwear recommended.

The program is offered free of charge for EEC members and nonmembers alike. Please register by phone.

Animal Games

Naturalist Jeannie Carl gets children and families moving with some fun and interactive animal-themed games at 10 a.m. on April 9.

Each activity carries a lesson about food chains, photosynthesis, animal adaptations and more.

The program is offered free of charge for EEC members and nonmembers alike. Please register by phone.

Rain Barrel Workshop

A rain barrel workshop will take place at CCEEC at 6 p.m. on April 26.

This program is strictly limited to the first 30 registered participants.

Attendees (virtual or in-person) will then be able to purchase a rain barrel for only $10.

The high quality, 58-gallon, food grade barrels are an $80 value, completely assembled and supplied by Camel’s Hump Rain Barrels of Phoenixville.

Those not attending the program, or attendees who would like additional barrels, can purchase them at the retail price if ordered by April 15.

Living with black bears

Carbon County Game Warden Cory Bentzoni offers participants timely advice on living with one of the commonwealth’s largest - and at times most destructive - resident animals, Pennsylvania’s black bears. The program will take place at 1 p.m. on April 30.

Learn how to protect your birdfeeders, trash cans and the rest of your property from a potential nuisance. Understanding bears’ habits and needs helps everyone to coexist more peaceably.

The program is offered free of charge for EEC members and nonmembers alike. Please register by phone.

Plant Swap

The center will hold a plant swap from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 14.

Come with - or without - garden plants to share. This is a great opportunity for new and veteran gardeners alike to save money, and to meet and talk with each other for planting tips and tricks.

No registration is required. Native plants are preferred but not required, but please note, no invasive species allowed.