Yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. At least for Ms. G.

She’s the official groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and on Thursday, she’ll crawl out of her burrow at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary in Lincoln and tell us whether to expect an early spring.

This is one time we hope it’s cloudy outside. If Ms. G sees her shadow, Massachusetts is in for six more weeks of winter weather. If she doesn’t, an early spring is in store.

Ms. G will deliver her forecast at 10 a.m., followed by a Groundhog Day celebration with hot cocoa, nature programs, and family friendly crafts focused on New England’s native wildlife. The event is free with paid admission to the sanctuary of $9 for adults, and $6 for children ages 2 to 12 and seniors. Mass Audubon members get in free. For more information, go to www.massaudubon.org.

Groundhogs shouldn’t get all the glory this time of year. Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick is holding an owl festival this weekend. Get an up-close-and-personal view of local owl species, including the great horned and screech owl, on Saturday in shows at 1 and 3 p.m. Admission for members is $15 per adult, $8 per child; nonmembers pay $18 per adult, $10 per child. The program fills up quickly, so register online at www.massaudubon.org or call 508-655-2296. Broadmoor also hosts “owl prowl adventures’’ at night for the very brave.

And don’t forget snakes. On Monday at 6:30 p.m., the Fisheries and Wildlife Board’s Rattlesnake Review Group will hold its first public meeting at Athol Town Hall. The group was created after a state plan to introduce endangered timber rattlesnakes on a remote Quabbin Reservoir island last year rattled more than a few people. The panel will make a recommendation after hearing from area residents and thoroughly examining any new scientific information.

Material from the State House News Service was used in this report. Leslie Anderson can be reached at leslie.anderson@globe.com.