Ridge To River Relay race course is modified

This year's Ridge To River Relay race course is getting a facelift.

The event, April 9-10, will begin with a mountain-bike leg at the Mission Ridge parking lot and head up the Wayhut run.

At the top of Wayhut, bikers will hand off to runners, who will begin a trail run down the service road to the parking lot. The trail runners will meet second runners, who will begin the existing run down Mission Ridge road. From there, the race will proceed as usual.

The race committee has posted a message on its Web site at www.r2r.org alerting racers, sponsors and spectators of the course modification. Registered racers also will be notified.

The East Lake Washington Audubon Society will host a free presentation, "Everett Osprey Study: Life in the Nest," 7 p.m. today at the Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church, 308 Fourth Ave. S. in Kirkland. Ed Schulz, who has observed osprey nesting in the Everett area for more than 10 years, is the featured speaker. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. Details: 425-576-8805

The Tacoma Nature Center is offering a free open trail day at the Morse Wildlife Preserve in Graham from noon to 4 p.m. April 10. Details: 253-565-9278

Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center is hosting a free seminar, "The Ins and Outs of Backyard Wildlife," at 7 p.m. March 30. Details: 206-684-0877

The Sno-King Chapter of Puget Sound Anglers meeting is 6:30 p.m. April 12 at Edmonds Yacht Club. Tom Nelson will discuss halibut fishing. Details: www.psasnoking.com

People for Puget Sound is hosting a seminar at 7 p.m. March 31 titled "Wolves, Whales and Bears: Exploring B.C.'s Great Bear Rainforest," at the REI store in Seattle. Sailor and conservationist David Lutz is the guest speaker. Cost is $8 in advance, and $10 at the door. Details: 206-382-7007 or www.pugetsound.org

Port Townsend hosts the Olympic Peninsula Fly-Fishing Expo 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. Fly fishermen Dave Hughes and Skip Morris will host several slide shows and fly-tying presentations. Other experts will also be on hand to present slide shows, tying demonstrations, seminars and more. Cost is $8 per person, and $2 for kids younger than 12. Parking is free. Details: 360-643-3505

The Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group is accepting applications for its Inspirational Internship Scholarship Program. Students must be graduating from one of the seven high schools within the Hood Canal watershed: North Kitsap, Central Kitsap, Klahowya, North Mason, Chimacum, Shelton or Quilcene/Brinnon. The internship provides work-related experience in environmental and fisheries fields. Application deadline is April 1. Details: 360-275-3575 or www.hcseg.com

State Fish and Wildlife officials have closed part of the William T. Wooten Wildlife Area in Southeast Washington's Columbia County to keep elk off surrounding private land. Public access to the Cummings Creek drainage and Abel's Ridge on the eastern part of the wildlife area will be closed through April 10.

The Cedar River Bowmen Archery 3-D Tournament begins at 7 a.m. April 2-3. Open for re-curves, self-bows and long bows only. Cost is $12 for one day and $20 for two days. The archery range is on Franklin-Enumclaw Road off Highway 169 between Black Diamond and Enumclaw. Details: 360-692-2447 or www.CedarRiverBowmen.org

The Mountain Travel Sobek adventure-travel company offers a free slide presentation, "Bhutan: The Last Shangri La," at 7 p.m. March 30 at the North Face Store, 1023 First Ave. in Seattle. Register in advance: 800-282-8747, Ext. 6037, or www.mtsobek.com

The Washington Bass Association offers a free bass-fishing clinic 10 a.m.-2 p.m. May 21 at Jerry's Surplus, 2301 Broadway in Everett. Learn about fishing in local lakes, plus techniques and gear selection. Details: 425-252-1176

The Seattle Poggie Fishing Club is offering salmon-fishing classes 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 9 and 16 at West Marine, 1000 Mercer St. in Seattle. The cost is $35 per day, or $60 to take part in both clinics. Details: 206-364-6361 or www.seattlepoggies.com

Compiled by Mark Yuasa, Seattle Times staff reporter. He can be reached at 206-464-8780; e-mail: outdoorsnotes@seattletimes.com; fax: 206-464-3255; address: P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111.