Sitka Sound Science Center announces last two guided tide pool walks of summer

The Sitka Sound Science Center is excited to announce its last two Guided Tide Pool Walks of the summer. There will be two walks this week, at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, and at 9 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.

Join SSSC Aquarium Manager Sandy McClung for a morning of fun tide pool exploration. We will meet in front of the Mill Building, and after a brief intertidal overview, participants will head out to Sage Beach (adjacent to the Science Center) to look for the amazing animals that call the intertidal zone home. Walk will last approximately one hour. Due to COVID-19, we are asking all participants older than the age of 5 years old to wear a face covering, and to maintain social distancing.

The cost is $10/adults, $5/kids (ages 3-12), space is limited, and pre-registration is required. Identification cards are provided. To book your spot, visit www.sitkascience.org and click Book Now. For more information, contact Sandy at 747-8878, Ext. 16, or smcclung@sitkascience.org.

SEARHC to host Wednesday walking group during August

SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) health promotion staff will host weekly fitness walks starting on Aug. 5. The weekly walks take place at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays during August at the lower Moller Field track.

Everyone is asked to bring and wear a clean face-covering (mask) and follow public health guidelines about social distancing. Walkers will walk around the track as many times as they like to increase their step counts for the 29-day Start Stepping Southeast walking challenge that runs Aug. 3-31. Prizes are available for participants in this challenge.

For more information, contact Doug Osborne at 966-8674 or douglaso@searhc.org, or go to http://www.searhc.org/startstepping to register your steps.

Sitka Trail Works to host trail maintenance event on Sunday, other events later in August

Volunteers are needed to pull alders along the Sawmill Creek Road separated path during the Sitka Trail Works trail maintenance event at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2.

Individuals should bring water and gloves and meet at the gravel parking lot about a quarter of a mile past Whale Park on the left side of the road.

Tools and a limited number of gloves will be provided. A mandatory COVID-19 pre-screening questionnaire and a liability waiver must be completed prior to participation.

Social distancing between different household groups and the wearing of face coverings (masks) are being encouraged. Teens wanting to help must attend with an adult.

On Saturday, Aug. 8, there will be a 14-mile Herring Cove to Medvejie Bike Ride (seven miles each way). For this event, meet at 10 a.m. at the Herring Cove Trail parking area off Sawmill Creek Road. This mountain bike ride is moderate in difficulty over gravel roads.

On Saturday, Aug. 15, there is a five-mile Verstovia Hike. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Verstovia Trailhead for a strenuous uphill climb.

There also is a Sitka Half-Century Bike Ride scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 22-23, where people will ride a course as individuals then record their rides with the Sitka Cycling Club. Last year there also were shorter courses for those riders who didn’t feel up to doing a full 50 miles. Details for this event are still being finalized, so watch the Sitka Cycling Club website for more info.

These events are free, but donations to Sitka Trail Works will be accepted. The donations for the Verstovia Hike will be split 50-50 with Waypoint For Veterans, a Sitka-based nonprofit that provides outdoors opportunities for veterans and first responders.

For more information about these events, call 747-7244 or visit http://www.sitkatrailworks.org.