Educational trick or treating, extreme croquet, weekly nature hikes and educational programs for groups are just some of the activities available this fall through the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania.

“Programming goes from science based environmental studies to plant identification, tree identification and also just getting kids outside so they can play,” said Ryan Stauffer, environmental educator with the Audubon Society.

The Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania owns the Succop Conservancy in Butler Township and the Todd Nature Reserve in Sarver.

“Our mission statement is 'connecting the people of southwestern Pennsylvania to birds and nature through our programs, projects and places,'” said Rachel Handel, communication director.

The society is continuing its current programs and starting new ones as the days become shorter with the onset of fall and winter.

“We have a number of programs for people of all ages,” Handel said. “We have programs that begin with children in preschools, but we have moms that come with their babies in backpacks.”

One of the programs held throughout the year is the free Naturalist Led Morning Walks beginning at 9 a.m. every Thursday at Succop Conservancy.

“I take a group out and we look at what's going on that time of year, so the topics are constantly changing,” Stauffer said.

A favorite from the society's Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve in Fox Chapel that has been brought to Butler County is the Creatures of the Night Program set for Nov. 3.

“It's the weekend after Halloween, so in my mind we are extending the Halloween season a little bit longer for the kids that really, really want it to be longer,” Stauffer said.

Volunteers and members of the society dress as different nocturnal animals.

“There are people dressed up as different creatures, and they tell stories of the creature, how they live and what they eat,” said Handel.

Participants will have the chance to meet owls, bats and flying squirrels, among others.

“We don't have the same creatures each year,” Stauffer said. There are so many nocturnal animals, we couldn't possibly represent them all in one program, so if a kid who came last year comes this year, it's going to be different creatures.”

Everyone will gather in the barn before heading out on the trails to interact with the creatures.

“It gives people a different opportunity to learn about the creatures in a non-scary way,” Handel said. “They also get some treats along the way. It's really a very fun event.”

Three years ago, the team at Succop developed an extreme croquet course.

Stauffer spent weeks making each individual mallet from trees that had fallen on the property.

The society offers many levels of croquet courses.

“There were some people who really didn't want to get sweaty and didn't want to be competitive,” Stauffer said.

The croquet materials are kept in the old chicken hatchery that has become Stauffer's office, but people can play the game whenever they'd like.

“People can call and say 'Hey I'd like to play extreme croquet,' and we'll set up a course for them,” Stauffer said.

Towards the end of the autumn season, the society will be preparing for the annual Christmas Bird Count.

The Christmas Bird Count is one of the citizen science projects in which the society relies heavily on volunteers.

Participants in the count join a group of area birdwatchers to tally all the birds they see during a single day.

“The amount of data collected is far greater than any scientist can do on their own,” Handel said. “It gives us an overall picture of the health of the environment.”

The society offers training on how to take part in the Christmas Bird Count, so no experience is needed.

The society also caters programs to fit the needs of home school groups, classrooms, scouting groups and other organizations.

“We can offer custom programs, so just because something isn't in our bulletin or on our program doesn't mean we can't make that a choice,” Stauffer said.

For more information on planning an group outing, call Stauffer at 724-585-2591, Ext. 32.

The following events are being held by the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania at the Succop Conservancy, 185 Airport Road.Visit www.aswp.org or call 412-963-6100 for more information.• Aw Nuts, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Learn how to identify, harvest, process and eat various native tree nuts. Cost is $6 per member, $10 per nonmember.• Free Naturalist Led Morning Walk, 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, 8, 15 and 29. Enjoy viewing birds and other wildlife on a hike through the reserve with one of the naturalists.• Full Moon Hike, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 29. As the sun goes down, nocturnal animals come out, and familiar surroundings take on a new appeal. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• Fledglings: Talking Turkey, 10 to 11:15 a.m. Nov. 3 and 13. Learn about wild turkeys and track them through the forest. Cost is $4 per member and $6 per nonmember.• Creatures of the Night, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8 or 8:30 p.m. Nov. 3. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• Scouts: Wilderness Survival Badge, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 10. Earn credit toward the Wilderness Survival Badge. The society covers most of the requirements and can serve as counselor to approve the remainder. Take blue cards and a bag lunch. Cost is $25 per Scout.• Audubon Center for Native Plants: Birds and Native Plants, 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Learn how native plants will attract birds, butterflies and beneficial insects to a garden. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• Project FeederWatch and Christmas Bird Count Training, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 17. Preparations to be a successful FeederWatcher by going over the data collection process and backyard bird identification. Also, the program is an introduction to National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• Get Ready for Winter, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 24. Hike around to uncover all of nature's signs that winter is on its way. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• Christmas Bird Count training, 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 1. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.• There will also be an Owl Prowl from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Todd Nature Reserve in Sarver. Cost is $6 per member and $10 per nonmember.