On Aug. 23, a Nature Conservancy of Utah guide will take kids on a tour of the Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve. The event will include hands-on activities and poetry writing. The tour begins at 9 a.m. and is free, but reservations are required. Read about the event at www.nature.org/ wherewework/northamerica/ states/utah/events/. Call 801-531-0999 to sign up.

BLM advisory position

The Bureau of Land Management in Utah is gathering nominations for an open position in Category Two in its 15-member Resource Advisory Council. These positions include representatives of nationally or regionally recognized environmental, archaeological and historic organizations, dispersed recreation activities, and wild horse and burro organizations. Nominees must be Utah residents and will be judged on training, education and knowledge of the geographical area. Nominations must come with letters of reference, background information and anything else that speaks to the nominee's qualifications, and should be sent by Sept. 8 to the BLM, Attn: Sherry Foot, special programs coordinator, 440 W. 200 South, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, UT 84101; 801-539-4195.

Audubon events

The Great Salt Lake Audubon will sponsor a hiking and birding event in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Aug. 13 at 8 a.m. The hike is three miles round trip. Meet at 8 a.m. in the park-and-ride lot at the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Call Allene at 801-467-3960 for information.

On Aug. 16 from 7 a.m. to noon, the Audubon is taking a field trip to Utah County to look for warblers in their fall migration. Meet in the Sugar House ShopKo parking lot to leave by 7 a.m., or in the Sandy REI parking lot to leave by 7:15 a.m. Call Dedee at 801-272-8060 if you plan to meet at ShopKo and call June at 801-576-0103 if you plan to meet at REI.

Hike and bird at Alta on Aug. 17 at 8 a.m. Meet in the park-and-ride at the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Call Vivian at 801-485-7342 if you plan to attend.

Utah State Park news

Upcoming Utah State Park events:

Rockport State Park, Peoa: Aug. 8-10 is the 15th Annual Rockport Dam Jam. Sessions go all day and into the night. Call 435-336-2241 for info.

Escalante State Park, Escalante: On Aug. 8, there will be a backcountry hike at Bailey's Wash. Meet at the park visitor center at 7 p.m. Bring flashlights and water. On Aug. 9, there will be a Junior Ranger Program about owls at the visitor center at 9 a.m. Call 435-826-4466 for information.

Wasatch Mountain State Park, Midway: Division of Wildlife Conservation Outreach Manager Scott Root will talk about Utah's wildlife. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the campground's amphitheater. Also Aug. 9, there will be a Junior Ranger Program and nature discovery hike beginning at 1 p.m. at the campground office. Call 435-654-1791 for more information.

Iron Mission State Park Museum, Cedar City: On Aug. 12, the museum will hold a free story time for children. The museum is also sponsoring a two-day gourd-craft workshop on Aug. 16 and 23 at 9 a.m. Participants will learn about gourd history, fundamentals of growing gourds and basic tools. The cost is $50. Call 435-586-9290 to register.

Yuba State Park, Levan: On Aug. 9, the park is holding a class about scorpions in the park followed by a night walk to look for them. Call 435-758-2611 for more information.

Star parties

The Salt Lake Astronomical Society is holding two star-gazing events, weather permitting. The first will be Aug. 8 at the Brickyard Harmons, 3200 S. 1300 East, Salt Lake City. The second will be Aug. 9 at This Is the Place Heritage Park, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave., Salt Lake City. A 30-minute program will start at 8 p.m. as objects appear in the sky. Call 435-882-1209 or visit www.slas .us for information.

To get your event listed, send details to brettp@ sltrib.com or Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.