It's no secret that most of the continental United States contains regions that are characterized by expansive wilds and stunning landscapes. Every corner of the country has a unique ecosystem that is teeming with distinct wildlife and native flora. For many centuries, the majesty of American land has been recognized by the indigenous tribes that first coexisted with wild animals and treated the natural world with sacred reverence. From the first European settlers to modern-day tourists, nearly every America-bound voyager has been humbled by the wonders that lie between the coasts. After centuries of colonization and industrialization, the wild inhabitants of the United States have less territory to roam, but animals' adaptation to human expansion has allowed many species to survive - and many of them can be found right in your own backyard.

Lancaster is no exception to North America's array of distinct wildlife and scenic landscapes. The western side of the county borders the Susquehanna River, which includes several miles of striking vistas and tall cliffs that cut into thick forests. Although you're more likely to spot a wild animal along hiking trails and protected habitats such as Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve in Conestoga or Kellys Run Nature Preserve in Holtwood, many critters reside in the more developed parts of the county.

Certain hibernating species such as groundhogs, bats and jumping mice may not emerge from their cozy caverns until spring, but winter weather often makes it more likely that you'll find other animals in suburban yards and neighborhoods in Lancaster city. Lancaster's non-hibernating, native creatures include foxes, raccoons, deer and multiple avian species. Many neighborhoods in West Hempfield Township are surrounded by wooded areas teeming with wildlife; residents of the suburbs need only to sit quietly in their backyards to have a good chance of spotting a herd of whitetail deer prancing past their garden shed. When it comes to garbage can burglaries and squatting under porches or in garages, smaller wild animals such as foxes and raccoons are the usual suspects.

Communities such as Willow Street and Strasburg may have less forested land than their neighbors in the Hempfield area or certain parts of the Southern End, but other factors make wildlife sightings common. Hundreds of acres of rolling farmland and busy roads often force wild animals to travel great distances through residential and commercial areas alike in search of food and shelter.

Every winter, the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation hosts programs and events to educate the members of the community about wintertime wildlife habits. The department also dispatches naturalists to libraries and parks throughout the county to share information and to hold interactive programs for both children and adults. This winter season, the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation's recent program topics and upcoming subjects include the importance of feeding birds during the cold months, how to make crafts from items found in nature and wintertime hikes at various local trails and parks.

"I find winter to be a better time of year to observe wildlife," said Lisa Sanchez, a park naturalist with the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation. "There are no leaves on the trees, so you can actually see the birds in your backyard better. If we have snow or even mud, it's a great time to follow tracks and figure out whose pawprints are in your yard." In February, Sanchez will host her annual maple sugaring program at Lancaster County Central Park to offer free demonstrations of the maple syrup making process, with samples included.

Every winter, Sanchez said she likes to remind people who start feeding birds to keep the feeders full until spring. Although the birds can find things to eat in the wilderness, your feathered friends who start eating breakfast in your backyard become dependent on the steady supply. "The reason you have to fill bird feeders so often is because each songbird like a chickadee needs approximately 250 sunflower seeds each day to survive the winter," Sanchez added. "That's a lot of seeds. I counted them to make sure once."

The Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation will host two events on Sunday, Jan. 5, at Lancaster County Environmental Education Center, 1 Nature's Way, Lancaster. The first program, Cabin Fever Hike, will take place from 11 a.m. to noon, and participants are encouraged to bundle up and bring a hot beverage for a hike led by naturalist Rachel Albright. The second program, a children's story time activity about animals in the winter, will be held from 1 to 2 p.m.

Registration may be completed for a small fee per person before noon on Friday, Jan. 3. To register for a program, visit https://tinyurl.com/lancnaturewinter or call 717-295-2055.