Saturday, Oct. 11
Hawk Watch
Lenoir Preserve
10 a.m.
Join us as we look for hawks on the Hudson. Beginners welcome. Please bring binoculars. Co-sponsored by Hudson River Audubon Society. 

Digital Nature Photography for Beginners
Cranberry Lake Preserve
1 p.m. 
Join Naturalist Melissa Sullivan to learn the ins and outs of nature photography using a digital camera. Bring your own equipment and the park will provide the beautiful subject matter. 

Brick Making Bonanza
Croton Point Nature Center
1 p.m. 
Croton Point Park was known for its brick making operations throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. We will relive this old tradition with hands-on experience preparing clay and molding them into bricks. 

Fall Foliage Hike
Trailside Nature Museum
1 p.m.
Enjoy a beautiful walk in the woods and discover the science behind the fall colors. Learn how to recognize various tree species.

Harvest Festival
Lenoir Preserve
1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Enjoy an afternoon of art, crafts and activities for kids, refreshments and food samplings from the gardens. 

Low Tide Ramble for Kids
Read Sanctuary
2 p.m.
Always one of our more popular programs. Come join us as we wander around in the areas of the beach that are exposed at low tide. We will see many different creatures that live in this harsh environment. 

Sunday, Oct. 12
Westchester Running Festival
Bronx River Parkway
6 a.m.
Half-marathon, 10K run and Fit Kids run. Registration $50 - Half-marathon, $45 - 10K run, Free - Fit Kids run www.westchestermarathon.com. 

The 14th Annual Big Sit
Lenoir Preserve
8 a.m.
Meet us out at the Lenoir hawk watch area at 8 a.m. as we participate in this large sedentary bird watching event. We will see how many species of birds we can spot by staying in one location.You can join us anytime during the morning or early afternoon.   

Opening of Marshlands Photography Exhibit
Marshlands Conservancy
2 p.m. 
See Marshlands Conservancy through the eyes of photographers who have captured their favorite impressions of the site. A reception for photographers and the public will be provided by the Friends of Marshlands. All are welcome. The exhibit will be open weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through November.  

MALFA  Archaeology Open House
Croton Point Nature Center
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
An afternoon of archaeological adventures with your local archaeological organization.  Meet at the nature center. 

Thursday, Oct. 16
Fourth Annual Fall Lecture Series: Birds of the Northeast
Read Sanctuary
7:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
After a great run last year of spectacular lecturers, we are continuing this program of providing a wealth of information for those in the field or just with a general interest.  For six weeks we will bring in guest speakers to discuss biology and environmental topics as well as species of note. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc. 

Slime Lab
Cranberry Lake Preserve
7 p.m.
Despite the childish name, this program is geared towards the serious naturalist who wants to learn about Myxostelids (a.k.a. Slime Molds). There’ll be a lecture, slide show, and then real specimens for you to try to identify. Co-sponsored by the Central Westchester Audubon Society. 

Saturday, Oct. 18
Morning Mushrooms
Cranberry Lake Preserve
9:30 a.m. 
We’ll search the park for tree ears, witch’s butter, fairy steps and other mushrooms. Beginners are welcome.  Bring along a lunch and stay for a picnic afterwards. Co-sponsored by the Connecticut–Westchester Mycological Association.  www.comafungi.org. 

Hawk Watch
Lenoir Preserve
10 a.m.
Join us as we look for hawks on the Hudson. Beginners welcome. Please bring binoculars. Co-sponsored by Hudson River Audubon Society. 

Marshlands Photography Exhibit
Marshlands Conservancy
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
On view through November. 

It Came from under the Log
Cranberry Lake Preserve
1 p.m. 
The Blob is not just a corny old horror movie. It is a real live (and very small) organism living in our woods that slowly chases down small creatures before engulfing and eating them. In this program we’ll learn about blobs (also know as Slime Molds or Myxostelids) and look for them in their natural habitat. Recommended for ages 9 and up.

In Search of Clay Babies
Croton Point Nature Center
1 p.m. 
These objects are rare and unique to Croton Point Park. Learn how they are formed, followed by a hike to find them. Meet at the nature center. 

If Hudson Only Knew… 
Trailside Nature Museum
1 p.m. 
Join Native American author Evan Pritchard for this lecture and slide show on the Algonquin civilization and their sacred geography along the Hudson River as it was in 1609. Learn about the dozens of villages, trails, trading posts, forts, Stonehenge-like petraforms and ceremonial gathering spots that Henry Hudson sailed right past without ever noticing. 

Awesome Adaptations
Lenoir Preserve
1 p.m.
Big ears! Sharp claws! Slimy skin! Those are just a few of the adaptations that help animals survive. See the incredible ways an animal’s body is designed for success in their habitat. Meet live animals up close. Join wildlife educator Anthony Cogswell as he takes you on this awesome animal adventure. 

Autumn Night Hike
Trailside Nature Museum
6 p.m. 
Join us at Trailside for a crisp autumn evening walk. Find out what goes on at night in the fields and forests of the Reservation. Space is limited and pre-registration is a must for this program. Call (914) 864-7322.  

Car and Truck Show
Glen Island Park
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
Admission $5. Rain date: Sunday, October 26 

Know Your Autumn Trees
Marshlands Conservancy
2 p.m.
Learn how to tell an oak from a sassafras just from the fall colors.You will get to know at least a dozen trees even from a distance with Megan Aitchison as your guide. 

Walking Tour of the Famous and Historic Tree Trail
Lasdon Park, Arboretum and Veterans Memorial
2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Take a walking tour with Lasdon’s horticulturist through a grove of historic trees. The trees along this trail are all direct descendants of trees that have historic significance to America. 

Friday, Oct. 24
Halloween Hair-Raiser
Lasdon Park and Arboretum
7 p.m. – 10 p.m. 
Preview and reception for Lasdon’s first-ever Botanical Halloween Show. See weird and strange plant specimens and a Halloween holiday train on display, browse botanical art show and sale featuring specially themed drawings and watercolors, enjoy live music and refreshments. Costumes are encouraged. All ages welcome. Garden Shop will be open. $25 per person this night only. Reservations (914) 864-7268. 

Saturday, Oct. 25
Trail-Blazing Workshop
Trailside Nature Museum
9:30 a.m.
Join our dedicated volunteers in a trail-blazing workshop, clearing, marking and maintaining trails. For more information call (914) 864-7317.  

Hawk Watch
Lenoir Preserve
10 a.m.
Join us as we look for hawks on the Hudson. Beginners welcome. Please bring binoculars. Co-sponsored by Hudson River Audubon Society. 

Dig-a-Tree
Marshlands Conservancy
10 a.m.
Help us maintain the meadow habitat by helping yourself to woody vegetation from a designated area of the meadow. Bring spades, loppers and bags or burlap and transplant native trees and shrubs to your own yard. Wear protective clothing and work gloves. Please arrive promptly at 10 a.m. for orientation. Available are black cherry, black locust, sweet gum, sassafras, pin oak, black oak and some others. 

Live Birds of Prey with James Eyring
Read Sanctuary
12 p.m.
Join expert falconer James Eyring as he discusses and shows off his beautiful birds of prey. Hawks, falcons, and owls will all make an appearance. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Read Wildlife Sanctuary, Inc. 

Fall Foliage Walk
Cranberry Lake Preserve
1 p.m. 
You should never let a year pass without stopping to appreciate the beautiful colors of autumn and what better place to do so than Cranberry Lake? We’ll stop at a few scenic viewpoints on this relaxing hike, and we’ll also try to answer the age-old question of why leaves change their color. 

Spooks and Spirits in the Wine Cellars
Croton Point Nature Center
1 p.m.
Storyteller Jonathan Kruk will take you on an exciting and spooky travelogue of Croton Point’s real wine cellars. Meet at the wine cellars.

Halloween Extravaganza
Lenoir Preserve
1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 
This new program includes a Halloween candy hunt, crafts, apple cider and cookies. Come dressed in your costumes. Pre-registration required; $5 per child. 

History of the Reservation Hike
Trailside Nature Museum
1 p.m. 
Enjoy the fall foliage as we hike along the Revolutionary road to learn how the 1720 Joseph Benedict homestead anchors the path of history leading to the “ruins” on the western side of the Reservation.

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25 and 26
Botanical Halloween Show
Lasdon Park and Arboretum
11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
See weird and strange plant specimens and Halloween holiday train on display, browse botanical art show and sale featuring specially themed drawings and watercolors. Garden Shop will be open. No registration or fee required.

Sunday, Oct. 26
Dig-a-Tree
Marshlands Conservancy
10 a.m.
Help us maintain the meadow habitat by helping yourself to woody vegetation from a designated area of the meadow. Bring spades, loppers and bags or burlap and transplant native trees and shrubs to your own yard. Wear protective clothing and work gloves. Please arrive promptly at 10 a.m. for orientation. Available are black cherry, black locust, sweet gum, sassafras, pin oak, black oak and some others. 

Tuesday, Oct. 28
Halloween Dance for the Developmentally Disabled
Westchester County Center
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Pre-registration required. Call (914) 347-4409.

*Part of Be Fit Westchester, a county-wide effort to get people to eat smarter and play harder every day.

All programs are sponsored by Westchester County Parks and are free and open to everyone unless otherwise noted. Subscribe to the Parks E-Club to get weekly updates about Westchester County Parks programs and events.