Utah's Snowmobile Safety Week begins Sunday and ends Jan. 15.

Utah State Parks and Recreation staff remind snowmobilers that education and safety are important components of the experience.

"This year we urge snowmobilers to be especially aware of the avalanche danger and to use our hotline to get updated avalanche information," said Eric Stucki, off-highway vehicle education specialist. "The OHV hotline offers current avalanche and snow conditions. In addition, it offers grooming information for all snowmobiling complexes maintained by Utah State Parks and Recreation."

Riders may access the hotline 24 hours each day by calling the OHV Information Center at 800-OHV-RIDE. The hotline also provides information about snowmobiling laws and rules, survival tips, OHV education, and maps.

Stucki reminds parents to enroll their children in a Know Before You Go! snowmobile education class. Young riders 8-16 must possess an OHV Education Snowmobile Certificate issued through Utah State Parks or valid driver license while operating a snowmobile on any public land, road or trail. Children under age eight cannot operate a snowmobile on public land.

For more information on the Know Before You Go! program or to register for a class, contact the Utah State Parks and Recreation OHV Education office at 800-OHV-RIDE.

Zion bird count record

Volunteers at Zion National Park participated in the 105th National Audubon Society Christmas Count on Dec. 18 and reported a record number of species. More than 30 volunteers logged 191.5 miles on foot, 139 miles by car and counted 3,205 birds and a record high 89 species.

Rare birds included a rufous-backed robin (the first documented sighting in Utah); Townsen's warbler; blue jay; greater white-fronted goose; and ruffed grouse.

Nature/bird walks

The Wild Bird Center in Layton holds nature/bird walks every Saturday. Meet at the store, 1860 N. 1000 West, by 10 a.m. Dress appropriately and bring a camera and binoculars. Call 801-525-8400 for more information. Here's the schedule:

Saturday -- Utah State University Extension Gardens/Kaysville Ponds. Jan. 15 -- Kays Creek Parkway. Jan. 22 -- Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management. Jan. 29 -- Ogden Nature Center.

Ice climbing clinics

REI is offering an introduction to ice climbing clinic Tuesday at the Salt Lake store, 3285 E. 3300 South, and Jan. 13 at the Sandy store, 10600 S. 230 West. REI climbing expert Dallen Ward will present a slide show, address technique, provide tips on gear and talk about local climbing locations. Both clinics begin at 7 p.m.

Avalanche tales

Alta Community Enrichment is presenting a night of Avalanche Tales as part of the Alta Life and Times Storytelling Series. The stories begin at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the Our Lady of the Snows in Alta. The event is free, but donations are encouraged. Call 801-742-0830 or visit http://www.altaarts.org.

Trees for America

The National Arbor Day Foundation is giving 10 trees to people who join the group in January and give a $10 contribution. The 6- to 12-inch trees are being offered as part of the nonprofit foundation's Trees for America campaign.

New members will receive two white flowering dogwoods, two flowering crabapples, two Washington hawthorns, two American redbuds and two goldenrain trees. The trees will be shipped between Feb. 1 and May 31, depending on when it is best to plant them.

Send $10 to Ten Free Flowering Trees, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Ave., Nebraska City, NE 68410 by Jan. 31. You can also visit http://www.arborday.org.