2018 New York Farm Show: It’s the farmer’s mega-mall. New York Farm Show, set for February 22, 23 and 24 at the State Fairground in Syracuse has the latest in new crop and livestock tech. This year’s free ag-smart seminars tackle beef, industrial hemp and woodlot management issues. 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. Free tickets are available from Northeast equipment dealers, or by writing to: New York Farm Show, P.O. Box 3470, Syracuse, NY 13220. Adult admission at the door is $5 per person; youths under 18 are free.

Animal Track & Sign with Ondatra Adventures on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10 am - 1 pm at the Bozen Kill Preserve, Altamont, NY. We’re kicking off our popular series of naturalist events with Ondatra Adventures this year with a free winter animal tracking workshop!

The many talents of the region’s Jewish community will be on display at B’nai Sholom Reform Congregation’s 12th Bet Kafeh (“Coffeehouse”) on Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. at the synagogue, 420 Whitehall Road, Albany, New York.

Snowshoeing in the Barrens on Saturday, Feb. 24 from 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. Have you tried snowshoeing? The Albany Pine Bush Preserve is a great place to get started with this fun sport. Join us for a 0.9-mile hike on snowshoes. We’ll explore the frozen landscape of the pine barrens and learn the basics of snowshoeing. Snowshoes will be provided to program participants. If there is not enough snow on the ground, we will hike without snowshoes. Ages 6+. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family.

Owl Pellet Dissection on Friday, Feb. 23 from 1 – 2:00 pm. Curious about owls? Join us to learn about the owls that live in the Pine Bush Preserve and the signs they leave behind. We will start with a short presentation and then dissect owl pellets, a sign that owls are active in the area. Ages 6+. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required. Please sign up by calling 518-456-0655 or visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org/events.

Build a Birdhouse on Thursday, Feb. 22 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Did you ever wonder where birds live? What kind of houses do they have? Different bird species each require different sizes, shapes, and habitats for their home. Join us as we learn about a few bird species that live in the Pine Bush Preserve, what they may need for their homes, and then build your own birdhouse. Ages 8+.  Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY.  Fee: $3 per person/$5 per family. Registration required.

Winter’s Eve Nature Sketching on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. The cold weather and short days of winter mean many of us spend less time enjoying and connecting with nature. During this indoor, evening program we will focus on improving our drawing skills while we spend time appreciating living and once-living objects and photographs of the Pine Bush Preserve. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials, purchase sketchbooks at the start of the program, or create their own sketchbooks out of materials we will provide. Adults only.

Build a Bird Feeder on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 1:00 –2:30 pm. Bird watching is an exciting and popular hobby throughout the world. Visiting new places and observing birds in their natural habitats can be a rewarding experience.  However, we can also watch and enjoy birds from the comfort of our homes! In this program we will discuss ways to attract birds to your backyard, explore different types of bird feeders and bird seed, and each build a bird feeder to take home. Ages 6+. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY.

Pine Bush Family Trivia Night on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm. How well do you know the Albany Pine Bush? Come test your knowledge at our first-ever Family Pine Bush Trivia Night!  Join us for fun, food and some family-friendly competition. Light refreshments will be provided. Families with children 8+. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY. Fee: $5.00/family (groups with no more than 7 individuals). Registration required.

Build a Bird Nest on Tuesday, Feb. 20 from 1:00 – 2:00 pm. Birds build their nests out of all kinds of materials including sticks, grass, mud, moss and animal hair! Join us as we explore a variety of nest designs used by birds in the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. After a brief indoor presentation, we’ll go for a short hike and search for last year’s nests and then close with a craft that will prove useful for nesting birds this spring.  All ages. Location: Albany Pine Bush Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Road, Albany, NY.