Wednesday Night with a Ranger series kicks off with 'Skins and Skulls'

The White Mountain National Forest begins its Wednesday Night with a Ranger speaker series on July 5 at the Appalachian Mountain Clubs Pinkham Notch Visitor Center. The season kicks off with U.S. Forest Service Conservation Educator Clare Long presenting Skins and Skulls. The program uses a hands-on, interactive and fun approach to learning about our native wildlife. Come get a close-up look at the skins and skulls of North Country mammals, from weasels to moose, while learning about their habits and adaptations needed to survive in these mountains.Wednesday Night with a Ranger programs are presented by the Forest Service every Wednesday evening beginning at 8 p.m. at the Appalachian Mountain Clubs Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Route 16, 11 miles south of Gorham. White Mountain National Forest staff look forward to the opportunity to share whats going on in the mountains. Programs are free and all local residents, campers, and visitors are welcome. Programs are about an hour long and include complimentary popcorn and time for conversation about the evenings topic or any other national forest issue.For more information call the Androscoggin Ranger Station at (603)466-2713, TTY (603)466-2856, or the Appalachian Mountain Club at (603)466-2721.The summer program schedule is:July 5: Skins and Skulls," a hands-on way to learn about the biology of our native wildlife. Presented by conservation educator Clare Long.July 12: Whats that Oversized Puddle in my Backyard? Could it be a vernal poolseasonal home to frogs, polliwogs and other squishy creatures? Learn how to recognize and protect this valuable aquatic habitat. Presented by conservation educator Susan Spruce-Eland.July 19: Fire in the Forest. Is fire in the forest a friend or a threat? Find out whats up with smoke and fire in the White Mountains, hear tales of a forest firefighter, and play with the gear she packs along. Presented by fire management planner Erin Small.July 26: MooseThe Monarch of the North Woods. Learn about the habits and haunts of these North Country natives, and how to stay safe when your paths cross. Presented by conservation educator Chris Bishop.August 2: A Day in the Life of a Backcountry Ranger." Ever wish you could hike for your job? Come see what its really all about. See the backcountry, morning until night, from a rangers point of view. Presented by a White Mountain National Forest backcountry ranger.August 9: On the Rock with the Mount Washington Avalanche Center. Is it chilly in here? Great slides of snowy Tuckerman and Huntington ravines will take you through a season of ice-climbing and spring skiing inthese unique backcountry recreation areas. Presented by U.S. Forest Service Snow Ranger Brian Johnston.August 16: White Mountain Lure. Its movie night; grab some popcorn and spend 30 minutes living the history of the White Mountains. Come along for the journey through the logging era to the rise of the grand hotels and tourism, to the creation of the White Mountain National Forest.August 23: The History of Logging in the White Mountains." Learn about the evolution of logging, from the widespread land-clearing of last century to the art and science of today's timber harvests in a multiple-use working forest. Presented by foresters Steve and Sue Wingate.August 30: Open Forum: A Conversation with the Deputy Forest Supervisor. Converse about key issues of interest in the forestshare whats on your mind or just listen in and hear a variety of perspectives. Presented by Deputy Forest Supervisor Barnie Gyant.