Join Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman on this hike to Raccoon Ridge, a spectacular mountain-top lookout along the Appalachian Trail in N.J.  Participants will observe the hawk migration while enjoying a nearly 360 degree view from this stunning perch high above the Delaware River.  Meet at MCEEC at 8:30am and return at 5:30pm.  Cost: $20/non-member, $14/EE Center member and includes van transportation.  Pre-registration and payment are required and limited.  Refunds will be given only if notification is made at least one week in advance.  Access to Raccoon Ridge involves a challenging, strenuous, and rocky uphill hike of 1.5 miles to the lookout.  Binoculars, food, water, camera, sturdy hiking shoes, and warm layered clothing is recommended.

To pre-register for the program, please call the Center at (570) 629-3061, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm and most Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at mcconservation.org.
Directions to Monroe County Environmental Education Center: From Stroudsburg (or Exit 302 from I-80 West or 302B from I-80 East) go North on Route 611, travel half mile to the 2nd traffic light in Bartonsville, and turn left onto Rimrock Drive.  Follow Rimrock Drive for 0.4 mile, bear right onto North Easton-Belmont Pike, go 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Running Valley Road.  The Center is 0.7 mile on left.

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Shawnee on Delaware, PA With the picturesque mountain as a backdrop during prime fall foliage time, the Autumn Timber Festival offers a weekend full of family friendly entertainment, music, food and festivities.  Featured entertainment is the 2011 Timber Team Ironjack Shows.  Each 40 minute show thrills spectators with both demonstration and competition as World Class Lumberjacks pole climb, log roll, chop, saw and chainsaw.  A colorful announcer combines folk lore, comedy and history into each show to encourage a rowdy frontier spirit.  Three shows will be performed daily.

New for 2011, come see the high flying Ultimate Air Dogs, one of the premier canine dock jumping events in the country. Milt Wilcox, the former Detroit Tiger Pitcher famous for winning the 1984 World Series, is the Ultimate Air Dog’s president and main announcer.

On stage live musical entertainment will be provided Saturday and Sunday by The Cramer Brothers, a country show band with six multi-talented musicians performing contemporary country, classic country and Blue Grass.  The Lost Ramblers, will stroll the festival grounds both Saturday and Sunday playing high energy Appalachian music that runs the gamut from bluegrass to gospel, swing and old time music in three part harmonies.

Festival Americana and novelty entertainers include David Feimster’s “Sue Wee” Pig Racing, Magician Stephen Christopher’s Traveling Medicine Show, Paul Bunyon Stilt Walker, “Pie Man” the Living Statue, and balloon art by Aardvark Entertainment.  Several Chainsaw Carvers will demonstrate and display chainsaw sculptures throughout the weekend.

Along with dozens of specialty food vendors, beverages will be available outdoors as well as indoors in the EZ Bumpps Saloon.   The indoor Hope Lodge Café will also be open during the festival.

Autumn Timber Festival hours are 11AM to 6PM on both Saturday and Sunday.  Advance discount tickets are available online at www.shawneemt.com- $12 Adult, $10 Child for either Saturday or Sunday.  Toddlers 4 and under are admitted FREE.  Group rates for 15 or more and Festival Lodging packages are also available online at www.shawneemt.com.

For a spectacular view of the Pocono fall foliage, Scenic Chairlift Rides on Shawnee Mountain’s new Tomahawk Express Quad Lift will be available from noon to 4pm each day at an additional cost of $8 Adult and $6 for children (minimum height 48 inches).

Shawnee Mountain is located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania just off Exit 309 of Interstate 80.  General information call 570-421-7231.  For lodging information, call 800-SHAWNEE (Shawnee Inn), or 800-POCONOS (visitor’s bureau).  Or visit Shawnee Mountain on-line at www.shawneemt.com.

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The Fall Kettle Creek for Kids program begins Tuesday, October 11, and runs through Tuesday, November 22, 2011.The program for children ages 4-6 is scheduled every other Tuesday from 1pm to 2pm.The program will involve your child in hands-on, outdoor learning experiences.

Cost: $5/non-member, $3/EE member. Pre-registration is required, space is limited and parents must attend with their children. Please be dressed to go outside.   You may only make your reservations one week before the program date.

The dates and topics for our Fall Kettle Creek for Kids Programs are as follows:

Tuesday, October 11                 Cool Colors – Looking at fall through its’ many colors.


Tuesday, October 25                 Fly Away Home – What creatures spend their fall migrating?

Register by calling the Center at (570) 629-3061, Monday to Friday from 8am – 4:30pm and most Saturdays from 9am – 1pm. For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at www.mcconservation.org.

Directions to Monroe County Environmental Education Center: From Stroudsburg (or Exit 302 from I-80 West or 302B from I-80 East) go N. on Rte. 611, travel half mile to the 2nd traffic light in Bartonsville, and turn left onto Rimrock Dr.  Follow Rimrock Dr. for  0.4 mile, bear right onto N. Easton-Belmont Pike, go 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Running Valley Road.  The Center is 0.7 mile on left.

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Friday, September 30 at 5 pm to Saturday, October 1 at 5 pm. The Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt is back. This 24-hour birding adventure pits teams in competition for the coveted Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt Trophy. Think of it as a scavenger hunt for birds. Each bird species is given a weighted point value, the rarer the bird the greater its worth. The team with the highest point total wins.  The event begins at 5pm on Friday evening and ends at the District’s EE Center on the grounds of the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Bartonsville Saturday evening at 5pm. Tally sheets are then scored and the winning team is announced. Participants will enjoy sharing stories of their adventures over pizza and refreshments while scoring is being conducted. For a copy of the official Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt rules and registration information contact the EE Center. Cost: $15/team member. All participating team members will receive an official Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt license. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 28.

For more information or to pre-register for the program, please call the Center at (570) 629-3061, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, and most Saturdays 9am- 1pm.  For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at mcconservation.org.

Directions to Monroe County Environmental Education Center: From Stroudsburg (or Exit 302 from I-80 West or 302B from I-80 East) go N. on Rte. 611, travel half mile to the second traffic light in Bartonsville, and turn left onto Rimrock Dr.  Follow Rimrock Dr. for 0.4 mile, bear right onto N. Easton-Belmont Pike, go 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Running Valley Road.  The Center is 0.7 mile on left.

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Four Million Kilowatt Hours of Electricity Produced

Long Pond, PA (September 6, 2011) ― Slightly more than one year after the dedication of Pocono Raceway’s solar farm, the total amount of electricity produced by the 25 acre facility reached the 4,000,000 kilowatt hour (kWh) mark. The solar installation consists of 39,960 American made photovoltaic modules that will produce more than 72 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy over the next 20 years. The environmental attributes associated with the system will offset more than 3,104 Metric Tons of carbon dioxide annually and will generate enough power to provide the electricity needs for over 1,000 homes beyond the power needs of Pocono Raceway.

“This is another important milestone for Pocono Raceway,” said Brandon Igdalsky, President and CEO of Pocono Raceway.  “Pocono Raceway strongly believes in the commitment to operate in a more environmentally responsible way and is proud to be the first race track to power our sport with clean, renewable sunlight as the world’s largest solar-powered sports facility. This solar power system, built with timber, steel and solar panels made in the U.S., satisfies all our Raceway’s energy needs, while helping to power local homes.  This project demonstrates real sustainability and proves that any business that truly wants to go green, can do it.”

The 4,000,000 (kWh) produced has already impacted the environment. The total energy generated equals the use of 22,830 light bulbs (60W) for one year at eight hours per day and represents a savings of 324,000 gallons of gasoline with a carbon dioxide (CO2) offset equaling that of 72,000 trees. The Raceway has been awarded a number of environmental awards for its sustainable energy efforts including the 2011 Excellence in Renewable Energy Awards, Readers Choice Award presented by RenewableEnergyWorld.com and the 2011 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence, presented each year by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. These awards highlight the best in environmental innovation and expertise

The Pocono Raceway Solar Farm is located along Long Pond Road adjacent Pocono Raceway’s storied two and one-half mile Super Speedway. Pocono Raceway will host two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race weekends in 2012. The 31st annual Pocono 400 is scheduled for June 8-10 and the 39th annual Pennsylvania 400 is set for August 3-5.

About Pocono Raceway
“The Tricky Triangle” is host to two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards races each year and added a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race in 2010.  Pocono Raceway’s 2.5-mile triangular design makes it truly unique.  Pocono is the only track on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Circuit with three turns, three different radii and three variant degrees of banking.  All that ensures our fans will enjoy some serious action, meanwhile presenting a competitive challenge to the world’s best drivers and their crew chiefs.  Pocono strives to create a family atmosphere with increased focus on the Fan Experience.  We are Pocono Raceway and this is “The Tricky Triangle.”
In business for over 50 years, Pocono Raceway is family-owned and situated in the beautiful Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania.  We are located within 300 miles of one-third of the U.S. population and within 90 miles of New York City and Philadelphia.  Pocono Raceway is and always will be an attractive option for NASCAR and race fans alike.
Pocono Raceway is the world’s largest solar powered sports facility. The Raceway developed a 25 acre, three megawatt solar farm that provides the energy needs of the Raceway as well as adding electricity to the local power grid.

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