Backcountry Awareness Week

The annual Backcountry Awareness Week is Feb. 9-15 at Snowbird. The event features snow safety clinics, on-snow demonstrations, avalanche transceiver drills and an evening fundraiser featuring special guest speaker Chris Waddell.

"Backcountry Awareness Week is a great opportunity for the public to learn about snow safety and backcountry recreation," said Bruce Tremper, director of the Utah Avalanche Center. "Events like this demonstrate why Utah is a leader in backcountry awareness, education and rescue."

Waddell will discuss his journey to overcome a paralyzing college skiing accident to become one of the most storied skiers in the U.S. The 12-time Paralympic medalist and 32-time national skier of the year is planning another incredible feat in March when he will attempt to be the first paraplegic to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro. The fundraiser, in the Cliff Lodge Ballroom from 5:30-9 p.m., will feature a silent auction, dinner, drinks, and live music from the Stormy Mountain Boys. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased by calling 801-933-2442 or at www.snowbirdrc.org.

Three backcountry skills clinics will be open to the public on Feb. 14 at 9 a.m. Participants can choose from a basic avalanche course, intermediate avalanche course, or a beacon contest. Clinic cost is $69 each, which includes lunch, an all-day Tram ski pass and professional instruction. Following the clinics, ski mountaineer Andrew McLean will be at the Tram Club from 4:30-6:30 p.m., to present the featured documentary "Steep," which follows the evolution of big mountain skiing and its inherent risks. McLean will discuss his own adventures as a ski mountaineer who specializes in steep skiing in remote locations. (The Tram Club is a private club for members; must be 21 and older). For more information, contact Snowbird's Activity Center at 801-933-2147 or visit www.snowbirdrc.org to register for clinics.

Lepidopterist society

Join the Utah Lepidopterist Society for part two of a presentation on butterflies of Costa Rica by Wayne Whaley on Feb. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at Brigham Young's Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum, room 310, Provo. Whaley earned his a doctorate degree in zoology from BYU and has done extensive research in the life history of the Papilio Indra butterfly in the United States as well as on all its larval host plants. For more information, contact Todd Stout at 801-322-2049 or Nicky Davis at 801-450-3091 or visit www.utahlepsociety.org.

Wildlife after dark

The Wildlife Protection Society will lead a moonlight hike to discover wildlife after dark on Feb. 28, beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Park City Bread and Bagel (3126 Quarry road, unit L), in Quarry Village at Jeremy Ranch. A Jordanelle State Park naturalist will kick things off with a presentation about creatures of the night that includes tracking identification and nighttime sounds. Local photographer Michael Flaherty will also discuss the nuances of nighttime photography. After the presentation, participants will hike the Pinebrook/Gorgoza ponds area, returning to Park City Bread and Bagel where coffee, tea and hot cocoa will be served. Cost is $10, $5 for children under 12. All proceeds will benefit the Wildlife Protection Society. To attend, call Jackie Fehr at 435-615-8309. It is suggested that participants bring snowshoes and dress accordingly for the outdoor portion of the program. Dogs are not allowed.

Indoor soccer league

The South Salt Lake Parks & Recreation Department is hosting an Indoor Soccer League for boys and girls ages 4-12. Cost is $20 per player, $15 for the second child and $10 for the third child (add $5.if you live outside the South Salt Lake city limits). Registration deadline is Feb. 13. Register at the Columbus Center, 2530 S. 500 East. Leagues begin in mid March and run through April 2009. For more information, call 801-412-3269 or 801-412-3217.

Adult softball leagues

Registration for men's, women's, and co-ed spring softball leagues is underway at the Redwood Recreation Center, 3060 Lester Ave., West Valley City. Team registration is $465, with league play beginning April 13. Divisions 10U, 12U, and 14U have a team registration fee of $375 that will cover 10 games, balls, and awards for the team posting the best record. Those division games will begin March 16. All entries must be submitted before March 16. For more information, call Amelia at 801-974-6923, or register at www.recreation.slco.org/redwood.

Great Salt Lake Audubon birding trips

Beginning birders are always welcome and carpooling is encouraged. Suggested contributions are $5 per person for round trips less than 50 miles, and $10 per person for round trips over 50 miles. Be sure to call the field trip leader to confirm that arrangements are still as published.

Feb. 15 » The Great Backyard Bird Count in Parley's Historic Nature Park begins at 9 a.m. Meet in the Tanner Parking lot, 2700 E. Heritage Way, Salt Lake City, for a half day of birding that involves moderate hiking. Call Vivian at 801-485-7342 if you plan to attend.

Feb. 17 » GSLA monthly meeting at the Sugar House Garden Center, 1602 W. 2100 South, Salt Lake City at 7 p.m.

Feb. 21 » Bruce Thompson will lead a group (12 years or older) along the Mirror Lake highway just above Kamas from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The route will consist of deep, untracked snow along uneven woodland, meadow and streamside terrain over a distance of one to two miles during the course of the day. Travel at times may be strenuous due to snow and terrain. No dogs allowed. Pre-registration is required due to a 15-persons per group limit. Participants should bring snowshoes (poles advised), layered clothing, well-insulated boots, a warm hat, warm gloves or mittens, sunglasses, ample water, lunch and snacks, a tracking field guide, and a comfortable day pack. Call Sylvia Gray at 801-532-3486 to register or for more details.

Feb. 25 » Join leaders Bob Huntington and Deedee O' Brien for a half-day of birding at Farmington Bay. Meet inside the Centerville McDonald's (I-15 exit No. 319), for breakfast, or in the parking lot for a 9 a.m. departure. Bring water and snacks. Wasatch Audubon will be joining us. Call Deedee 801-272-8060 if you plan to attend.

Free REI seminars

Feb. 10 » Ski historian and author Alan Engen will recount milestones and the major players who helped the evolution of skiing in Utah, with a particular focus on Alta, beginning at 7 p.m. at the East Millcreek REI store, 3285 E. 3300 South. For more information, call 801-486-2100.

Feb. 19 » Meet Jeff Caulfield of National Geographic for a step-by-step demonstration of how to use your GPS with TOPO, an outdoor recreation mapping software that helps plan your next day hike or back-country adventure, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Sandy City REI store, 10600 S. 230 West. Everyone in attendance will receive a special buy-one-get-one-free offer, a free CD, and basic map and GPS skills courtesy of National Geographic. For more information, call 801-501-0850 or visit www.rei.com.

Feb. 26 » REI navigation expert Nick Faust will conduct an introductory presentation on the GPS system and its common use at at 7 p.m., also at the Sandy store.

Community and REI events

Feb. 15-17 » Bryce Canyon Winterfest at Ruby's Inn features a full schedule of competition and free activities for the whole family over President's Day weekend. Free snowshoe tours and clinics in photography, snow sculpture, kayaking and yoga are among the free activities. Bryce Canyon National Park will conduct ranger-guided snowshoe hikes and geology talks. Dixie National Forest will lead snowshoe tours. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring their own snowshoes and skis; limited rentals are available. The resort is just outside Bryce Canyon National Park on Highway 63. For more information, visit www.rubysinn.com or call 435-834-5341 or 866-866-6616.

Feb. 23-25 » National Geographic and REI host the Banff Mountain Film Festival Tour at Kingsbury Hall beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the East Millcreek REI and the University of Utah Outdoor program. Call 801-581-7100 for more information.

Ogden Nature Center

The Ogden Nature Center hosts Wild Wednesday events at 3:30 p.m. This informal program focuses on the ecology of the Wasatch Front and is free with regular admission of $3 for ages 12-64, $1.25 for seniors and children ages 2-11, free for ONC members. The center is at 966 W. 12th Street, Ogden. For more information and to register for classes, call 801-621-7595.

Feb. 11 » Wild romance is a special Valentine's Day program featuring resident birds and reptiles and describing the unique ways these animals attract a partner. Utah State Park events

Feb. 8-March 20 » Park naturalists are available for guided snowshoe hikes, Wednesdays through Saturdays, at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway. Beginners are always welcome. Call 435-654-1791 to schedule an appointment.

To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@ sltrib.com or by mail to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.