AT THE ARBORETUM

Workshop and special plant sale — Your Sustainable Backyard: Landscaping in California. UC Davis' California Center for Urban Horticulture is presenting this workshop, and, upon its conclusion, the participants are invited to visit the Arboretum Teaching Nursery, to browse, and, if desired, buy plants. The workshop is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, in the Ballroom at the Activities and Recreation Center. The plant sale is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m.

The workshop program features Debra Lee Baldwin, photojournalist and author of Designing with Succulents, and Bob Perry, landscape architect and author of the new Landscape Plants for California Gardens, discussing sustainable landscaping and the unique plants that are best for California gardens. Fee: $35, including coffee in the morning, and lunch. Registration and more information.

Storytime Through the Seasons: Down Under the Eucalyptus — Stories and hands-on activities amid the arboretum's Australian Collection. All ages are welcome for this exploration of the natural and cultural world of Australia.  Presented by the Arboretum Ambassadors. 2-4 p.m. Sunday, April 10, meet at the south end of Lot 10, near First and A streets.

Walk with Warren: California Wildflowers — With Warren Roberts, retired superintendent of the arboretum. Noon Wednesday, April 13, meet at the Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center.

Poetry in the Garden: Aung Aung Taik — Born in Burma and now living in San Francisco, Aung Aung Taik has published many poems and essays, a novel and a cookbook, and his work has appeared in such publications such as The New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Poetry USA. He is also one of Burma’s pioneering modern painters, and has had numerous solo exhibitions in the United States, Japan and Burma. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, Wyatt Deck. (In the event of rain, this program will be moved to 146 Environmental Horticulture.)

Folk Music Jam Sessions — Pull out your fiddles, guitars, mandolins, penny whistles, pipes, flutes, squeezeboxes — you name it! — and join your fellow musicians during the lunch hour for a little bluegrass, old-time, blues, Celtic, klezmer and other world music. All skill levels welcome. Listeners, too! Noon Friday, April 15 and 29, Wyatt Deck.

Spring Musical Gathering — Featuring the Sacramento City College World Music Ensemble, in its first collaboration with the arboretum, with the public welcome to bring chairs, sit back and enjoy the music — or bring your own instruments and join in. Bob Wren, Sacramento City College instructor, will direct. 4-6 p.m., Sunday, April 17, gazebo.

Arboretum on Wheels! — The university's treasured trees (and plants) and a prized tradition (bicycling) come together in this program, with people invited to bring their bikes for a two-wheeled tyour through the arboretum. 2 p.m., Sunday, April 24, meet at the gazebo. In the event of rain, this event will be postponed to Saturday, May 28. In case of rain, the ride will be rescheduled to May 28. For more information, call Brett Anne, (925) 286-5485.

Plant sale — Gardening for the Senses, featuring plants for color, texture and fragrancewith experienced gardeners on hand to help you choose the best plants for your garden design and conditions. Ten percent discount for members of Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum; new members receive a free plant. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

Plant sale — End-of-Season Clearance, featuring reduced prices on exceptional plants, with experienced gardeners on hand to help you choose the best plants for your garden design and conditions. Ten percent discount for members of Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum; new members receive a free plant. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, Arboretum Teaching Nursery.

All programs are free and open to the public. More information: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu (for directions, click on “Plan Your Visit”).

AT STEBBINS COLD CANYON

NATURE OUTINGS

• From the Trail to the Garden: Native Plants and Wildflowers — Many of the the canyon’s plants and wildflowers can also grow beautifully in home gardens and landscapes. Ryan Deering, horticulturist with the UC Davis Arboretum, leads this stroll through the canyon, highlighting the familiar and unusual plants of the reserve with a special emphasis on their potential use in the garden. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 9.

• Watercolors and the Outdoors — How to use watercolors to capture the colors and moods of natural scenery. No experience necessary, just a willingness to experiment with paints and an openness to the surrounding beauty. All painting materials, as well as tea scones, will be provided. Participants should bring blankets, sun protection and teacups. 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, April 10.

• Wildflowers: The Colors of Early Spring — Each month new wildflowers bloom for a brief period and then fade away until the following year. Barbara Byrne leads this walk on the Homestead Trail at the height of the blooming season. 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, April 23.

• Nocturnal Happenings — What happens when night falls in Stebbins Cold Canyon? On this walk, you will rely on all of your senses to experience the vibrant world of the reserve after sunset. Stories, stargazing and experiential activities along the way to help the participants appreciate the “dark side” of Stebbins. For adults and children 8 and up. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30.

• Birding 101 — This hike is designed to help you make heads or tail feathers of the complex avian world. Birders of all levels. Bring binoculars, bird guides and sunscreen. 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, May 1.

• Stargazing: Tour of the Night Sky — Bryn Bishop returns to leads two evening programs, focusing on constellations, planets and deep sky objects. In addition, she will share stories on the mythology of the night sky. A 1¼-mile hike, slightly uphill, to a meadow. Wear appropriate clothing for evening; binoculars are optional. 8-11 p.m. Saturday, May 7, and 8:30-11:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4.

• By the Banks of Putah Creek — Tom and Ginny Cahill lead this hike on their property, northeast of Stebbins Cold Canyon, allowing people to explore a remote section of Putah Creek. A one-mile hike in, with an optional, longer hike paralleling the creek or climbing to a ridge. This outing is a perfect opportunity to sit by the creek, have lunch and listen to some stories about the area. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, May 14.

• Dance: It’s Only Natural! — A celebration of rhythm and movement and nature. 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, May 15.

• Photography and Nature: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Footprints — Daniel Ng leads this tour, helping people with their film or a digital cameras (participants provide their own). 9 a.m.-noon Sunday, May 22.

• Loop Trail: Sunrise Hike — Hike the Loop Trail as the sun cimbs into the sky before the shortest night of the year. Five miles of ups and downs, with a 1,200-foot elevation gain. Many steps are interspersed with breathtaking views. Participants are advised to wear sturdy shoes, and to bring sunscreen, snack and at least a liter of water. 5-10 a.m. Saturday, June 18. (An earlier posting gave the wrong date for this adventure.)

NATURE’S THEATRE: Nature Play for Kids

Nature’s Theatre invites children to become part of the story and learn from Mother Nature, Professor Planthead and Tiny and Whiny, to name a few.

Each outing is an opportunity to play outside and learn a little bit more about the secrets of nature. All programs run from 10 a.m. to noon, except Mother Nature and the Toddlers (10-11:30 a.m.)

• Silly Ol’ Professor Planthead (ages 6-10) — Sunday, April 10

• World of the Small (ages 5-10) — Saturday, April 23

• Starwalker and the Planets (ages 6-10) — Saturday, April 30

• Consumasaurus, the Dragon (ages 6-10) — Saturday, May 7

• Nature Heroes (ages 5-10) — Saturday, May 14

• Glug, Glug and the Water Boss (water play for kids, ages 5-10) — Sunday, June 5

SIGN-UPS

All activities are open to the public. Optional fees: $5 per person or $10 per family. Activities fill up fast; reservations are required. E-mail Jeff Falyn, jfalyn@ucdavis.edu, with your name, address, event date, and phone number and-or e-mail address, and indicate whether you need directions. More information, including the complete schedule.