HONESDALE - A program titled "Deer Resistant Landscaping and other Deer Management Options" will take place on October 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Honesdale High School, 495 Terrace Street in Honesdale. Registration is required by October 23.

The last 30 years have been a period of major change in white-tailed deer population. From a population of 500,000 in the early 1900's, white-tailed deer have increased to about 15 million across the country. This population is relevant to Pennsylvania and Wayne County. The increasing deer numbers have caused significant damage to ornamental plants, gardens and commercial crops. In addition to rising deer populations, this increase in white-tailed deer damage can be attributed to: 1) human population shifting to rural and suburban homesites; 2) loss of deer habitat to development and; 3) landowner decisions to prevent deer hunting. The best approach to control deer damage is an integrated pest management plan which includes a combination of the following strategies:

This program will provide suggestions on the troublesome problem of landscaping with the deer in mind.

MILFORD - Pike County Cooperative Extension will hold workshops on back yard composting this fall. Each household who pre-registers and attends will receive a free composting bin, while supplies last. Quantities are limited so sign-up early.

The workshops, sponsored by the Penn State Master Gardeners, are scheduled for:

• Monday, October 16 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Pike County Conservation District, Rt. 402, Blooming Grove, Sign-up deadline is Wednesday, October 11.

• Monday, October 23 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Pike County Conservation District. Sign-up deadline is October 18.

To register call 570/296-3400, e-mail PikeExt@psu.edu or fax 570/296-3406.

DAMASCUS - Join Delaware Highlands Conservancy members on a walk through the Damascus Township Forest with naturalist Ed Wesely on Saturday, October 21. The one-mile round-trip trail begins at the meadow parking area and enters an oak/hickory forest where we will discover how plants and animals prepare for winter. The trail will also carry us along the edge of a beautiful swamp and into a hemlock grove of majestic proportions.

This 60-acre forest is owned by the citizens of Damascus Township, and was purchased over 25 years ago for the purpose of preserving an old-growth forest for future generations. Now the fruits, seeds and berries produced by a wet summer are bountiful, and the mosses and fallen leaves are brilliant shades of green and red.

Meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Delaware Highlands Conservancy's Butterfly Barn on the PA River Road One mile south of Milanville, PA and Skinners Falls, or at 10:00 a.m. at the parking area of the Damascus Township Forest on Macubbin Road. (From Rt. 652 at the Narrowsburg bridge, turn on to the PA River Road and drive 2.6 miles to Macubbin Rd. Turn left and drive six-tenths of a mile to the Damascus Forest parking area.)

The walk is free. Wear comfortable shoes, warm clothing and bring binoculars if you have them. The walk will take several hours. For more information call 570/729-7053 or 570/226-3164.