Feb 13, 2026
This blog is brought to you by SLELO PRISM’s Pledge to Protect.
Winter is a good time to get outside. Trails are quieter, the pace is slower, and even a short walk can feel like a reset. Whether you’re heading out with a partner, meeting friends, or bringing the whole family along, being outdoors in winter creates space to spend time together without many distractions.
This February, a date doesn’t have to look like reservations and roses—it might look like connecting with nature. A nature date could mean a candle-lit walk, a guided hike, or learning something new about the land and wildlife around you. These events offer simple ways to enjoy the season, connect with your community, and support the places that make northern New York worth exploring year-round.
Community Science Opportunities
Do you want your winter outings to make a real impact? These community science opportunities turn learning into action!
Hike to Protect Hemlocks Learning Series
Learn to identify, survey, and report hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) by joining guided survey sessions happening February through March 2026. HWA is an invasive insect that kills hemlock trees. Hemlock trees are a large majority of our forest tree species and provide many ecological benefits. You can help protect hemlock trees by surveying for and reporting sightings of HWA.
iMapInvasives Winter Mapping Challenge
Win prizes and help report hemlock woolly adelgid observations via the free mobile app! You must set up a free iMapInvasives user account to participate. Challenge runs through March 15, 2026.
- Get outside and look for hemlock trees.
- Check for white fuzz balls on the undersides of hemlock twigs – these are HWA egg masses.
- Report your findings to iMap – submit a presence or not-detected record to document your effort.
Winter Events Worth Bundling Up For
Join family-friendly events that get you outdoors this winter!
Candle-Lit Walk at Selkirk Shores State Park
February 14, 6-8 p.m. | Selkirk Shores State Park
Join New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a magical winter stroll along candle-lit paths. Snowshoes are available for rent, and the evening includes refreshments, crafts, and a warm fireplace to cozy up by after your walk.
Owl Prowls with Tug Hill Tomorrow Trust
February 20, 5-6:30 p.m. | Joseph A. Blake Wildlife Sanctuary
March 21, 6:30-8 p.m. | Joseph A. Blake Wildlife Sanctuary
Come along on a guided twilight adventure, looking and listening for owls at the Joseph A. Blake Wildlife Sanctuary. Observe and learn how nocturnal animals are well-suited to their night-time activities. There is no fee for attendance or parking.
Winter Carnival Hike
February 21, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Redwood Preserve
Join the Indian River Lakes Conservancy and explore the preserve as a true winter wonderland, learning how to identify trees and animal tracks along the way. Winter reveals so many hidden stories in the landscape, and this guided hike is a wonderful opportunity to slow down, observe, and connect with nature in a whole new way.
This hike is open to all ages and experience levels—whether you’re a seasoned nature enthusiast or just looking for a fun outdoor activity with family and friends. Stay after to sit by the glowing fire and enjoy hot dogs, s’mores, and hot chocolate.
Owls & Outdoors KidsTrek
April 2, 2:30-4 p.m. | Zenda Farms Preserve
Join naturalist Vici Diehl for a hands-on KidsTrek exploring the secret world of owls! Kids will learn fascinating facts about these nocturnal hunters, and connect with nature on a short hike on the Zenda Woods Trail. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Species Spotlight: Invasive Bittersweet
Winter is a great time to spot invasive bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), even when leaves are gone. Its bright red berries with yellow capsules often remain visible through the colder months, making it easier to identify along forest edges, trails, and roadsides.
Bittersweet spreads aggressively, wrapping around trees and shrubs, weighing them down, and competing with native plants for light and space. If you’re out on a winter walk or hike, keep an eye out for this invasive plant and report sightings to iMapInvasives.
Featured Tool: SLELO PRISM Species Handbook
Whether you’re new to invasive species or just want a refresher, the SLELO PRISM Species Handbook is a helpful companion for time spent outdoors. This resource provides clear descriptions, photos, and key identification tips for invasive plants, animals, and insects found in our region.
Protector Resources:
Help spread the word and reshare these posts on social media!
Get more resources to help you protect your favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species in our Protector's Toolboxes. View Toolboxes
View a library of blogs featuring simple actions you can take to protect your favorite hiking trails, waterways, forests, gardens, and communities. Open the Archive
About the Pledge
The Pledge to Protect was developed by the St. Lawrence Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (SLELO PRISM). It is a resource intended to inform and inspire you to protect your lands and waters from the impacts of invasive species. Upon taking the Pledge, you become a “Protector” and are sent monthly email blogs that provide simple actions you can take to protect your favorite outdoor spaces from invasive species and chances to win prizes by taking the suggested actions.
About SLELO PRISM
SLELO PRISM (St. Lawrence–Eastern Lake Ontario Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) is part of New York State’s collaborative PRISM network, which works to prevent, detect, and manage invasive species to protect native habitats, biodiversity, and freshwater resources. Hosted by The Nature Conservancy, SLELO focuses its efforts in Oneida, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
The statewide PRISM network is funded by the NYS Environmental Protection Fund and coordinated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and partners. Its mission is to provide a unified, statewide approach to invasive species management by coordinating local partners, training volunteers, conducting outreach, and implementing control and restoration efforts across eight regions.
Learn more about SLELO PRISM at www.sleloinvasives.org.