photo by: Contributed photo

Ken Lassman, author of “Wild Douglas County,” will give a presentation at 6 p.m. at Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, 804 Massachusetts St., during Final Friday, May 31, 2019.

It’s easy to find shops and restaurants on Massachusetts Street, but people can also see the natural world in downtown Lawrence if they know what to look for, says Ken Lassman, author of “Wild Douglas County.”

At 6 p.m. Friday at Sunflower Outdoor & Bike, 804 Massachusetts St., Lassman will offer tips on how to spot some wild critters, such as nighthawks and chimney swifts, while walking downtown, he said in an email to the Journal-World.

Lassman said he plans to discuss seasonal patterns that affect wildlife in the area, as well as the weekly nature observations he posts on his website, kawvalleyalmanac.com.

The free presentation, which Lassman said is suitable for all ages, is part of a new series, “Humanities in the Wild,” a collaboration between the University of Kansas’ Hall Center for the Humanities and Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop that will coincide with Final Fridays. Free State Brewing Company will provide refreshments.

photo by: Mike Yoder

In this file photo, Susan Butell and her granddaughter Mary Huntoon take turns observing the Baker Wetlands through a spotting scope from inside the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center.

‘Hike the Night!’

Grab your flashlight and go out to the Baker Wetlands on Friday for a special nighttime hike.

The “Hike the Night!” tour is scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, 1365 North 1250 Road.

Don’t worry if you can’t make it out this weekend, because the wetlands will be holding “Hike the Night!” events at the end of June, July and August as well, said Morgan Glade, education and outreach coordinator for the wetlands. Because of recent rains, the trails are muddy, so hikers should wear shoes they aren’t afraid to get dirty, Glade said.

The hike is free, but participants must register by 4 p.m. Friday. To register, email mglade@bakeru.edu or call 785-594-4703.

photo by: Contributed photo

The garden of Mary and Fred Rodriguez, 1612 Bob White Drive, will be included on the 2019 Douglas County Garden Tour.

2019 Douglas County Garden Tour

For those looking for ideas and inspiration for their gardens, the Douglas County Extension Master Gardeners will be holding their 2019 Douglas County Garden Tour this weekend.

The tour, which includes seven gardens and is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, is “an opportunity to see what other people have done and provides so much inspiration for your own yard,” according to Andrea Verbanic, one of the Master Gardeners.

Tickets for the tour are $10 per person, and are available in advance at local garden centers and the Douglas County Extension office at 2110 Harper St. They can also be purchased the day of the tour at any of the gardens. The locations of the gardens and more information about the tour can be found on the Master Gardeners Facebook page, facebook.com/douglascountymastergardeners.

The Master Gardeners will also be holding a native plant sale on Saturday at the extension office from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. More than 30 varieties of plants will be available, Verbanic said.