Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve has released its calendar of fall nature outings and children’s programs — with the usual advisory: Activities fill up fast, so respond quickly if you are interested, said Jeff Falyn, coordinator.

Falyn also is interested in hearing from people who may be interested in leading programs of their own. See below.

UC Davis manages the 638-acre reserve as part of the UC Natural Reserve System. Stebbins Cold Canyon is at the southeastern tip of Lake Berryessa off Highway 128 west of Winters; the drive from Davis takes about 45 minutes.

Most outings are interactive and experiential in nature, Falyn said, and most are limited to 15 people. The suggested donations are $5 per person or $10 per family.

RSVPs are taken via e-mail, to jfalyn@ucdavis.edu. Falyn asks people to include name, address, program date, and phone number and-or e-mail address, and, if you need directions, please indicate that in your e-mail.

The first program of the fall is Star Gazing: Tour of the Night Sky, beginning at 6 p.m. Oct. 9.

Other nature outings this season include Basic Botany, Nocturnal Happenings, Plant Communities and Habitats, Natural History, Photography and Nature, and, on Dec, 11, Caroling in the Canyon.

The calendar also includes a Loop Trail hike and The New Trail hike, during which Andrew Fulks is due to share some of his plans for expanding the trail system.

One outing is set to take place at Bobcat Ranch, northeast of Stebbins Cold Canyon. Audubon California recently acquired the 6,800-acre ranch for conservation, restoration and recreation. At this time, the ranch is not open to the public, but, as part of the Stebbins Cold Canyon fall schedule, ranch manager Alex Palmerlee will lead a special outing into the inner reaches of the property, to highlight the habitat and wildlife.

The Stebbins Cold Canyon fall season ends with the traditional Winter Solstice hike, on or about the shortest day of the year. This year’s Winter Solstice program is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19.

Falyn also is taking sign-ups for Nature’s Theatre, “nature play for kids,” ages 4-10. Five programs are on the fall calendar: Summer Won’t Go, Silly Ol’ Professor, Planthead Nature Heroes, To Be a Tree and Consumasaurus the Dragon.

More information, including the complete fall schedule and descriptions.

Guide training

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve anounced a guide training sessionthat will take place over three Sundays: Nov. 21, and Dec. 5 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all three days, all at Stebbins Cold Canyon.

“Training will focus on creative and interactive ways to connect people to the wonders of the natural world,” Falyn said.

For more information, or to RSVP, send an e-mail to jfalyn@ucdavis.edu. Please include your phone number.