NORWAY — Area residents can enjoy the outdoors this coming weekend with three events by organizations and companies.

The goal of the statewide Great Maine Outdoor Weekend is to connect friends and neighbors with the natural world and promote fun, physical activity and good health.

Lee Dassler of the Western Foothills Land Trust said the first event is a snowshoe program Saturday by the Land Trust at Roberts Farm Preserve at 64  Roberts Road.

"If you have never snowshoed before, or if you don't own your own pair of snowshoes this is the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy a 1.5 mile woods walk on moderate terrain," Dassler said in a statement this week.  Anyone interested should meet at the warming hut at Roberts Farm Preserve.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, a winter tree identification snowshoe walk in Buckfield will be led by forester and town tree warden Tish Carr. The route is the newly opened Packard Trail at the Virgil Parris Forest. The two- mile loop trail meanders through a wooded slope toward the southwest shore of South Pond in Buckfield.

Dassler said the trail was chosen because it provides great diversity of tree species, views above South Pond, and includes interesting geology such as whalebacks, waterfalls and talus slopes. The hike should last for two hours. There is no charge for the hike, but call 207-739-2124 to reserve a spot. Anyone needing snowshoes should call before the Saturday.

Participants should meet at the McLaughlin Garden gate at 10:45 a.m. to carpool to the trail. Four-wheel drive vehicles may park at the Packard trailhead, which is 1.2 miles south of Route 117 on the Sodom Road. In case of inclement weather, the walk will be rescheduled to Feb. 18.

On Monday, Feb. 18, the third annual Norway Exile snowshoe races will be held at the Roberts Farm Preserve at 10 a.m.  The race is named after John Roberts' prize winning Jersey bull. A 2k and a 5k race will be run.

For more information go to the website www/greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org