Moraine and McConnells Mill state parks continue to offer programs into September.

Moraine• Nature watch kayaking, 1 p.m. Sept. 4.This entry-level kayaking program is designed to meet the needs of those more interested in an easy peaceful experience rather than a long, hard paddle. Meet the park naturalist at the Pleasant Valley launch on the South Shore.To reserve a kayak or to register, call the park office at 724-368-8811.• Historic oil well operation, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 11.The turn-of-the-last-century oil well and pumping engine that have been restored to working order will be operated by park staff and volunteers. The central powerhouse site is beyond the Forestry & Regional office building on Park Road (Old Route 422) off Route 528.• Tag a Monarch Butterfly, 1 p.m. Sept. 11.Meet the park naturalist and members of the Wissahickon Nature Club at McDanel's Launch, Pavilion No. 7 on the North Shore. Tags and tagging data sheets will be provided. Take a butterfly net.• Forest hike, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 12.Meet the park naturalist at the park office on the South Shore for a moderate, 3-mile hike. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy hiking shoes and take drinking water.• Evening kayak tour, 7 p.m. Sept. 18.This trip is designed for intermediate paddlers. Meet the park naturalist at the Old 422 launch area off old Route 422/Park Road. To reserve a park kayak, call the Moraine office at 724-368-8811. Kayakers taking their own boats must also take a light.• Explore Lake Arthur, 1 p.m. Sept. 19.Meet the park naturalist at the Pleasant Valley launch on the South Shore for this intermediate paced paddle. Take a kayak to participate, or reserve one of the park's kayaks free of charge by calling 724-368-8811.

McConnells Mill• Hell's Hollow walk, 2 p.m. Saturday.This will be a leisurely walk along a half-mile trail. Meet at the Hell's Hollow parking lot.• All about the trees hike, 10 a.m. Sept. 4.Join DCNR park naturalists to learn about Pennsylvania native trees and hike to visit them in their own territory. The hike includes learning to identify trees and a visit to a recordbreaking big tree. Meet at the parking lot above Breakneck & Eckert bridges.• Survive outdoors, 2 p.m. Sept. 12.Practice fire building, keeping protected from the weather, obtaining pure drinking water and signaling for help. Meet in Kildoo Picnic Area.• Owl prowl, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 15.Join the search for nocturnal animals on Hell's Hollow Trail. Take a flashlight, wear sturdy shoes and meet park staff at the Hell's Hollow parking lot.• Anxious for autumn hike, 1 p.m. Sept. 18.Join the park naturalist for a guided hike in Slippery Rock Gorge. Meet at the courtyard of the historic gristmill.• The big trees, 2 p.m. Sept. 19.Meet at the parking lot above Breakneck & Eckert bridges for a hike into the woods in search of some grand old trees. Wear sturdy shoes and take water.• McConnells Mill 18th annual Heritage Festival, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 25 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 26.The festival celebrates the operational time period of the historic gristmill — from 1852 to 1928 — and costumed vendors will display crafts inspired by this time. Activities include bluegrass music, Ask Trapper John, free tours of the historic mill and a hayride shuttle to and from the mill plus a Civil War encampment.The Portersville-Prospect Rotary Club, aided by several local businesses and nonprofit organizations, sponsors the festival.Admission and parking are free. For more information, call 724 368-3612 or send e-mail to mcmill@localnet.com.