April vacation is here and the time has never been better for getting outside to explore the magical season of spring, and Lakes Environmental Association is offering several opportunities throughout the week to help people do just that.

First, the association will lead a walk at Pondicherry Park on Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. Meet at the Bridgton Community Center at 15 Depot Street to carpool to the park. This program is part of a day-long celebration of Earth Day sponsored by the Bridgton Community Center and local organizations and businesses.

On Wednesday, April 23, Lakes Environmental Association’s Bridie McGreavy will lead a vernal pool walk on the old Narrow Gauge Railroad bed in South Bridgton at 10 a.m. Meet at the Lakes Center on Main Street to carpool.

In past years, this mid-vacation walk has yielded lots frog and egg mass observations. However, due to the snowy and as yet cold spring, vernal pool activity may begin later in the month. This walk will focus on vernal pool species, and at the very least introduce participants to a vernal pool hotspot area that can be visited later in the season. This program costs $5 per person/$10 per family for non-members and members attend for free.

Finally, on Friday, April 25, the association will lead the final Citizen Science Animal Tracking Workshop at Holt Pond at 10 a.m. Meet at the Lakes Center to carpool to the preserve. This workshop will focus on scientific data collection and basic animal track identification and will last approximately 2.5 hours. Participants should wear waterproof boots and bring water and a snack.

These programs are part of the Caplan Family Environmental Education Series at Lakes Environmental Association, sponsored by Hu and Ray Caplan and their family. For more information on these programs and other events in the series, call 647-8580 or visit www.mainelakes.org.