The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will offer a winter tree-identification field trip at Jefferson County’s Shannondale Springs Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Larry Stritch, a retired U.S. Forest Service botanist, will lead the trip. He will show how to identify trees through such clues as their branching habits and overall shape, twigs and buds, and bark.

The Wildlife Management Area is located on the east side of the Shenandoah River, about four miles east of Charles Town.

Partici-pants will meet at 10 a.m. at the parking lot by the Wildlife Management Area boat launch site off Mission Road.

The trip will last about two hours, and involved about two miles of walking over moderately even ground.

There will be no fee and anyone with an interest is invited to attend. This is intended as a family-friendly event and children will be welcome.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. Easy registration is available at www.potomacaudubon.org. For more information, contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomac audubon.org or 703-303-1026.

If there has been a major snow the day before or the weather is especially inclement on the day of the trip, it will be rescheduled.

Those who participate should be sure to dress warmly and wear sturdy footwear.