Weekend at the parks: geocaching, bird treks, skijoring clinic

Afton State Park

9:30-11 a.m. Saturday

A program on basic knot-tying for women. Registration required. Call 651-231-6968 or e-mail linda.radimecky@state.mn.us. (mndnr.gov)

Geocaching

Fort Snelling State Park

10 a.m.-noon Saturday

Explore the history of the park with a scavenger hunt-style geocaching course. It will be fun and educational. Equipment and instruction are provided. To register, call 612-725-2724 or e-mail krista.jensen@state.mn.us. Meet at the visitor center. (612-725-2724, mndnr.gov)

1-4 p.m. Saturday

Join park staff, the Friends of Lake Maria and other volunteers to get some fall chores completed. Bring work gloves and sturdy footwear. To sign-up, call 763-878-2325. Meet at the trail center at 1 p.m. (mndnr.gov)

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

8-10:30 a.m. Saturday

Walk from the Bass Ponds trailhead and hear about the refuge's role in the fall migration, who visits and why. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Bring along your binoculars and a favorite field guide (952-854-5900, bit.ly/mnfwr)

9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday

Watch the tundra swan migration. Cost: $25. (1-507-454-7351, mndnr.gov)

Learn skijoring

Fish Lake Regional Park

9 a.m.-noon Saturday

Whitewater State Park

6-7 p.m. Saturday

Did you know that Whitewater State Park was once home to German prisoners of war? (1-507-312-2300, mndnr.gov)

Eastman Nature Center

1-3 p.m. Sunday

Silverwood Park

1:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday