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Outdoors events
March 19-25
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This week

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. Saturday, 293 Gran Ellen Drive, Athens. $3 for nonresidents, $2 for Athens-Clarke County residents. 706-613-3615.  

Astronomy Night, Helen. Slide show and lessons on what to look for in the night sky. 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $3 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.

Historical Rock Hike, Tallulah Falls. Learn about rock formations named in the 1800s. Register in advance. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Drive, Tallulah Falls. $4 parking. 706-754-7981.

Lula Bridge Race, Gainesville. 5K, 10K and 20K races. Registration and check-in, 8 to 9 a.m.; athlete meeting, 9:30 a.m.; race, 10 a.m. Lake Lanier Olympic venue, 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. $20 if registered today, $25 if registered Friday or Saturday. 770-287-7888 or laniercanoekayak@gmail.com.

Low Maintenance Landscape Tips, Cumming. Presented by the Forsyth County Master Gardeners. 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Cumming Library, 585 Dahlonega Road, Cumming. 770-887-2418.

Bike ride, Gainesville. Moderate 30-mile ride. 10 a.m. Saturday, leaves from Dewberry Church, intersection of Glade Farm Road and Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville. unnoldl@charter.net.

After-School Enrichment, Helen. Lesson on Monarch butterfly migration, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Wednesday. Smithgall Woods-Dukes Creek Conservation Area, 61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen. Preregister. Free. 706-878-3087.

Upcoming

Ashley Alley Charity Shoot, Gainesville. Gainesville Archery Club. Benefits The National Archery in Schools Program. 8:30 a.m. March 29, Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center Archery Range, 2125 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville.

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.