This week

Eastern Hemlock Update and Winter Botany, Helen. Noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 11. Information about the state of Eastern Hemlocks, an instruction on identifying plants in the winter and a hike to identify flora. Smithgall Woods-Duke Creek Conservation Area, Helen. $10 for both class, $5 parking, preregistration required. 706-878-3087.

After School Enrichment, Helen. 3:45-4:45 p.m. Feb. 15. "Tornado Turnover" themed after school program to help students prepare for tornado season. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area. $1 per child, register in advance. 706-878-3087.

Upcoming

Arbor Day Celebration, Jefferson. Feb. 17. The Jackson Heritage Tree Council and Historic Courthouse Restoration Committee host an Arbor Day ceremony and tree planting event. Historic Jackson County Courthouse, Jefferson. Free and open to the public. 706-201-7893.

2012 Arbor Day Celebration Community Tree Planting Ceremony, Dahlonega. 11 a.m. Feb.17. Choice Avenue Parking Lot (between Choice Avenue and South Meaders Street, Downtown Dahlonega). 706-482-2707, rebeccashirley@dahlonegadda.org.

Make a Gourd-eous Birdhouse, Helen. 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 18. Learn to clean prepare gourds for use in birdhouse buildings. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, Helen. $15 before Feb. 10, $20 afterward, $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Essential Oils & Lye Soap workshop, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 18. Learn the essentials of extracting your own oils from herbs for pest control, add to lye soap for anti-itching properties or put in potpourri. Part 2 of the session: Take the fear out of making your own lye soap. Everyone will take home a bar of soap and a small amount of essential oil. Bring a bag lunch; beverages and snacks provided. $40 in advance; $45 after Feb. 12. Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. 770-887-0051, www.discovercedarhill.org.

 Winter Lecture Series: Session 2, Gainesville. 7-9 p.m. Feb. 23. Rusty Trump from the Georgia Hummingbird Group discusses “Winter Hummingbirds in Georgia.” $5 nonmembers, Elachee members free. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976, www.elachee.org.

Stars Over Elachee at Chicopee Lake, Gainesville. 6-8 p.m. Feb. 25. Learn about astronomy and how to use a telescope. Receive an observing log and star chart to assist in seeing constellations, stars, planets, Moon craters and Apollo landing sites. Good time to view Jupiter, Venus and Mars. Suggested for adults and children ages 8 and up. Bring a flashlight and pencil. Space is limited and reservations are required. $10 Adults, $5 for children ages 2-12. Elachee members free. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org.

Orienteering Meet, Helen. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 25, Smithgall Woods State Park. Find the "controls" hidden in the woods using a detailed map and compass. Beginners can learn how the sport works at orientation. All participants must begin by 11 a.m. and be off the course by 1 p.m. Register by February 11. $2 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087.

Falconry Experience at Buck Shoals, Helen. 2–5 p.m. Feb. 26, Smithgall Woods State Park. Learn about the art of falconry with Falconer Buster Brown, Secretary/Treasurer and DNR Coordinator with the Georgia Falconry Association. A short presentation will be followed by a live hunt. Register in advance. $20 adult if paid by Feb. 10, $25 afterward. Kids free. $5 parking. 706-878-3087. 

Volunteer Orientation, Gainesville. 1-2:30 p.m. March 3 and June 2. Join the Cedar Hill staff as they share all the volunteer opportunities through the many projects at Cedar Hill. Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville.
770-887-0051, www.discovercedarhill.org.

Elachee’s Trail Crew Work Day, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 3. Work to improve Elachee’s trails. Bring water, lunch, gloves and rain gear. Tools, training, and afternoon refreshments included. Free. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976. www.elachee.org.

Intro to Permaculture, Gainesville. 9:30 a.m. to noon March 3. Explore the principles of permaculture (permanent agriculture) and how you can use zones to create an energy efficient master pattern for your home/garden based on all the elements in your system (people, animals, plants, machines, fuel, etc.). $20 prior to Feb. 24; $25 after Feb. 24. Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. 770-887-0051, www.discovercedarhill.org.

Precious Feet 5K, Flowery Branch. 8 a.m. March 10. Proceeds go to help unborn babies and crisis pregnancies. Registration at 7 a.m. and race at 8 a.m. Prices vary depending on race option. Early sign-up through March 5. Old Train Depot, 5302 Railroad Ave., Flowery Branch.

2012 Lula Bridge Race, Gainesville. 10 a.m. March 17. Lake Lanier Olympic Venue.  Paddlers choose 5K, 10K or 20K distance. Gates open 8:30 a.m. 770-287-7888, www.lckc.org.

Lanier Canoe Kayak Club Spring BBI Junior Olympic Program, Gainesville. Six-week introductory program to the sport of flat water canoe/kayak for kids ages 10-15. Parent meeting and registration 7 p.m. March 19; practices begin week of March 26. Lake Lanier Olympic Venue Boathouse. Gates open 8:30 a.m. 770-287-7888, www.lckc.org.

“Who’s In Your Soil?,” Gainesville. 10 a.m. to noon March 24. Learn about organic composting with earthworms.  $20 in advance; $25 after March 16. Cedar Hill Enrichment Center, 5735 Dawsonville Highway, Gainesville. 770-887-0051, www.discovercedarhill.org.

Plant sale, Cumming, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 31. Annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs. Presentations include native plants, organic and square-foot gardening, pollination gardens and kids’ projects. Cumming Fairgrounds. Forsyth County Master Gardeners. 770-887-2418.

Spring Wildflower Festival, Amicalola State Park. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 14-15.

 Ongoing

Garden Geology, Athens. 4-6 p.m. Wednesdays  through Feb. 29. A lesson in plate tectonics, rock identification and practical applications of geology. The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, 2450 South Milledge Ave., Athens. Pre-registration required, $45 members, $50 non-members. 706-542-6156, www.uga.edu/botgarden.

Triathlon Club, Gainesville. No experience necessary. Meets 7 p.m. second Tuesdays, Fit 2 Tri Store, 1292 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-712-9129 or fit2tri@gmail.com.

ISI Cycling, Gainesville. 7:30 a.m. Saturdays; 7:30 a.m. Sundays, Corinth Baptist Church, Thompson Bridge Road; Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Hopewell Church Road; Thursdays 6 p.m. Dewberry Baptist Church, Clarks Bridge Road. Free. www.isicycling.com.