Deep Freeze. Amphibians and reptiles have unique ways to survive through the winter weather.  Join us for this program and learn why we call it “deep freeze”. Reservations required; 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.  From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY

“The Woodland Period in Eastern New York : The Archaeology of a Changing Landscape” with State Archaeologist Christina Rieth. NYS Archaeologist Rieth will discuss NY's Woodland Period (c. 1000 BC - 1500 AD), its archaeology, and an ongoing  excavation at the Pethick Site in Schoharie. Cost: $5, free for members. 2 p.m. at Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main Street, Rotterdam Junction, 12150

Rock and Fossil Fun Fair. Children can mine for minerals, forage for fossils, experiment with a river replica and participate in more than 10 hands-on geology and paleontology activities. Feb 15 to 16, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the State Museum, 222 Madison Avenue in Albany.

‘On the Hunt for New York’s Native Earthworms’ at Thacher Nature Center.  Dr. Rebecca Pinder will discuss her work exploring Catskill State Park and surrounding areas in search of our unique native earthworms. 2 p.m. at 87 Nature Center Way Voorheesville, 12186. For more info: 518-872-0800.

Empire State Aerosciences Museum “Fly-in Breakfast”. Join us, as World War II researcher Donna Esposito speaks on “STAG-1: The US Navy’s Secret Drone Project in WWII." 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at ESAM, 250 Rudy Chase Drive, Glenville, 12302

Jhumpa Lahiri, The Creative Life: A conversation series. Join us for a conversation (in English) with one of the best-known writers of her generation. 7 p.m. at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center on the University at Albany’s main campus, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, 12206

Handcrafted: The Folk and Their Art. Features a presentation on stoneware by John Scherer and over fifty carefully selected folk art pieces, many of which have never been displayed. Admission is $5, or free for SCHS members. 2 p.m. at Schenectady County Historical Society, 32 Washington Ave. Schenectady, 12305.

English Country Dance. Dances will be called and taught by Mary Jones.  Admission is $12 at the door, $10 members. 2 to 5 p.m. Dance 1:30 p.m. Introductory workshop, Channing Hall at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 405 Washington Avenue, Albany 12206. More info: www.danceflurry.org/capital-english or 477-5684

Winter Walk at Thacher Nature Center. Join us on a winter walk through woods and fields on Nature Center trails. We’ll explore a variety of habitats and look for signs of wildlife. Bring your snowshoes or rent a pair of ours. If we don’t have snow, we’ll take a winter walk. Call 518-872-0800 to register, reserve snowshoes, and check conditions. Starts at 10 a.m. at 87 Nature Center Way Voorheesville, 12186.

New DNA Technology Reveals the Evolutionary History of Birds. Dr. Jeremy Kirchman, the State Museum’s curator of birds, will explain how a new revolution in DNA laboratory methods has changed what we know about bird evolution. A 20-minute talk at The State Museum, from 12:10 to 12:40 p.m., in the Huxley Theater, 222 Madison Avenue Albany, 12230. Attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch.