The Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) will meet on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster. Holly Merker, a birding guide, writer and educator, will present "Ornitherapy: Watching Birds: Not Only Fun, It's Good for You!" A short business meeting will precede the program.

Merker will share about people's connections to birds, how to maximize the wellness benefits of birding, and research on the power of nature for overall well-being. Merker has a background in art therapy, but today uses birds and nature toward the same goals, delivering nature-based wellness programs for people of all ages. In 2022, she received the ABA Award for Conservation and Education given by the American Birding Association. Merker is a co-author of "Ornitherapy: For Your Mind, Body, and Soul," with Richard Crossley and Sophie Crossley, and "Die Kraft Der Vogel Beobachtung" ("The Power of Birdwatching"), with Dr. Angelika Nelson. She credits ornitherapy with helping her defeat breast cancer and restoring her health mentally and physically.

The meeting will not be recorded. Members of the public are invited to attend free of charge and may call 717-856-3851 or 717-725-2717 for details. To learn more about the club, visit http://www.lancasterbirdclub.org or search for "Lancaster County Bird Club" on Facebook.

Additionally, the Lancaster County Bird Club will offer a field trip to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 7 a.m. Participants will look for waterfowl, including snow geese and bald eagles. The event is free and open to the public. To register by 6 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 24, contact Craig Boyhont at 717-368-5986 or cboyhont@gmail.com.