Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group, an informal walking group, meets every Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon at the skating rink parking lot in North Park. Naturalists guide the walks. Call 724-935-1766.
Laurel Hill State Park will host a "Natural Symbols Scavenger Hunt" hike for children from 6-7 p.m. July 26. Meet at the visitor center for a forest hike/hunt, which will feature prizes for all participants. Call 814-445-7725.
BIKING
The Explorers Club of Pittsburgh hosts mountain bike rides in Frick park at 7 p.m. each Monday evening. Meet at the parking lot across from Ryan's Pub. Call 412-377-2739.
BOATING
Black Moshannon State Park will host interpretive pontoon boat tours of the lake weekends now through Aug. 30. Participants will view wildlife, discuss park history and learn the lake's role in the park's life. Call 814-342-5960.
A canoe tour of Laurel Hill Lake will be held from 3-4 p.m. July 26 at Laurel Hill State Park. There will be a brief session on canoe safety and techniques, followed by an on-the-water tour. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Participants must be at least 8 years old. Call 814-445-7725.
Three Rivers Rowing Association and Western Pennsylvania Field Institute will host a sea kayak trip and brunch from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 26. Meet at the TRRA boathouse on Washington's Landing. Participants will kayak for 90 minutes, break for lunch by PNC Park, then return to the starting point. Cost is $30 for WPFI members, $35 for non-members. Minimum age is 12. Call 412-255-0564.
BIRDING
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold an "Owl Prowl" at Todd Sanctuary from 8-10 p.m. July 23. Hikers will look for screech, barred and great horned owls, and discuss owl folklore. Reservations are required. Call 412-963-6100.
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania will hold a class called "Birding for Beginners" for those ages 16 and older at Todd Sanctuary from 9-11 a.m. July 26. A naturalist will teach participants to identify birds by sight and song. Reservations are required. Call 412-963-6100.
EVENTS
Kurt Muston, park naturalist at Black Moshannon State Park, will teach star gazers how to identify constellations at a program set for 9-11 p.m. July 26. There will also be a slide program conducted inside the environmental learning center. Call 814-342-5960.
Yellow Creek Nature Center is where a program titled "Nothing But Knots" will be held at 2 p.m. July 26. Local mountain climber Andy Davis will teach participants how to tie a variety of knots. Call 724-357-7913.
"Nature's Nasties" is the title of a program set for Ohiopyle State Park from 12:30-2 p.m. July 27. Park naturalists will discuss the poisonous and troublesome plants and animals that live within the park. Call 724-329-8591.
ROCK CLIMBING
Exkursion School of Mountaincraft, Monroeville, will host a basic rock climbing class July 24 and 31 (indoor sessions) and Aug. 2 and 9 (outdoor sessions). Topics covered will include knots, anchor building, rappelling, and use of equipment. The minimum age is 14. Call 412-372-7030 to register.
