This week
Flies and Fly Water, Helen. Learn the basics of fly fishing and how to tie flies. 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $3 parking. 706-878-3087.
St. Patrick's Day Snake Celebration, Athens. Wear green and learn about snakes. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, 293 Gran Ellen Drive, Athens. Program limited to 25 participants; preregistration required. Free. 706-613-3616.
Guided hike, Helen. 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. $3 parking. 706-878-3087.
Upcoming
Bat Bonanza, Athens. Learn about bats through activities, crafts and games. Musical Mark will sing bat songs from his new CD, "We're Just Hangin' Out." 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 21, 293 Gran Ellen Drive, Athens. $3 for nonresidents, $2 for Athens-Clarke County residents. 706-613-3615.
After-School Enrichment, Helen. Lesson on Monarch butterfly migration, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. March 25. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Preregister. Free. 706-878-3087.
Ashley Alley Charity Shoot, Gainesville. Gainesville Archery Club. Benefits The National Archery in Schools Program. March 29.
Ongoing
Senior Ranger Wednesdays, Helen. 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays. Trading Post, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. Free. Preregistration required. 800-573-9659, ext. 305 or unicoi_programming@dnr.state.ga.us.
Chicken City Cyclists meeting, Gainesville. 6 p.m. second Thursdays, Pasquale's Italian Restaurant, 1011 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. unnoldl@charter.net.
Lanier Running Club meeting, Gainesville. 7 p.m. first Mondays. Open to runners, walkers, joggers, high and middle school track and cross country. Johnny’s Pizza, 104 Carrington Park Drive, Gainesville. Free. 770-983-1328.
First Saturday Hike, Gainesville. 10-11:30 a.m. first Saturdays. Naturalist-guided hike through the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. $5 adults, $3 children ages 2-12, free for members and children age 1 and younger. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976.
Georgia Mountains Archaeology Society meeting, Gainesville. Join field studies and categorize artifacts. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. first Saturdays. Ages younger than 18 should be accompanied by an adult. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. 770-535-1976.
Trail Crew Work Day, Gainesville. Improve Elachee’s trails. Bring water, lunch, gloves and rain gear; tools, training and afternoon refreshments included. Ages younger than 18 should be accompanied by an adult. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. first Saturdays. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. Free. 770-535-1976 to preregister.
ISI Cycling, Gainesville. 25-50 miles. 7:30 a.m. Saturdays, Corinth Baptist Church, 3590 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville.
Mountain bike ride with Bike Town USA, Oakwood. All levels welcome. 6:45 p.m. Mondays, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Road, Oakwood. Free. 770-532-7090.
Recreation rides with Habersham Bicycles, Alto. 12 to 22 miles at 7 a.m. Saturdays, 20- to 35-mile fast pace (18-23 mph) rides at 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays, road time trials on Thursdays. Habersham Bicycles, Ga. 365, Alto. No ride if raining. Free. Joe Elam, 706-894-2453.