Set aside three hours March 23 to join a group search for bald eagles along the Clarion River.

Pack along your binoculars and spotting scopes to the Cook Forest State Park office from 8:30-11:30 a.m. for a driving tour to eagle hotspots along the National Wild & Scenic Clarion River. The park staff says this is the prime time of the year to view bald eagles on their nests and find new nesting sites.

The carpool is likely to be long, and the hiking “aggressive” to get to better viewing areas. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available at the office.

For information, call (814) 744-8407.

The public boat launch at East Branch Clarion River Lake in Wilcox, Elk County, is temporarily closed for access road construction.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said construction involves “placing and grading of base material including culvert installation along the access road to the boat launch.” The launch will be open July 28-29, then close from July 30-Aug. 3.

The finish has been moved twice in the past month.

New traffic signals and reduced speed limits are in place during the construction.

Everything’s up for a vote these days, including the 2011 Pennsylvania River of the Year.

Conewango Creek in Warren County and the Clarion River are among the six finalists in the contest put on by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Organization for Watersheds and Rivers. The winning watershed organization will get $10,000 for a year’s worth of celebrating its title, including a sojourn.

Cast your vote by Jan. 3. Visit the POWR website for information.

Who doesn’t love a hike in the fall?

Join up with the Clarion County Chapter of the North Country Trail Association for a 5-mile hike Oct. 24 at 11 a.m.

The group will meet at Gravel Lick Road trail crossing about a mile south of Cook Forest State Park (GPS coordinates: N 41° 19.204 W 079° 14.703).

The hike will end at the trailhead at Highland Drive.

RSVP if possible to Devin Callihan at (814) 319-5058 or cla@northcountrytrail.org.Hikers who simply show up are welcome as well.