AT THE ARBORETUM

Reading -- Opening Night: Reading by the Creative Writing Faculty. UC Davis Centennial Event. On the program: Joshua Clover, Lucy Corin, Pam Houston, YiYun Li, Joe Wenderoth and Alan Williamson. 7 p.m. Oct. 10, Wyatt Deck, adjacent to the redwood grove, Old Davis Road. Parking $6 in Lot 5, A Street and Old Davis Road. Sponsored by the English department and the arboretum.

Tour -- California Native Plants and Fire. 11 a.m. Oct. 11, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. Free parking in Lot 1 and the south entry garage (south of the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts).

Arboretum Adventures -- Practicing Native Culture, with Maidu-Wintun-Hupa-Yurok cultural interpreter Diana Almendariz, sharing traditional plant knowledge through stories and hands-on activities. Learn to make a doll from tule reeds and try your hand at grinding acorns. 1-3 p.m. Oct. 12, Wyatt Deck, adjacent to the redwood grove, Old Davis Road. Free parking in Lot 5, A Street and Old Davis Road.

Folk Music Jams -- Play or listen. Noon Oct. 17 and 31. Wyatt Deck, adjacent to the redwood grove, Old Davis Road. Parking $6 in Lot 5, Old Davis Road and A Street.

Tour -- Traditional Uses of California Native Plants. 2 p.m. Oct. 19, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. Free parking in Lot 1 and the south entry garage (south of the Mondavi Center).

Tour -- The Oaks of the Arboretum. 11 a.m. Oct. 25, gazebo, Garrod Drive. Free parking along Garrod Drive and in Lot 55.

All events are free and open to the public. More information: (530) 752-4880 or arboretum.ucdavis.edu.

AT STEBBINS COLD CANYON

NATURE OUTINGS

Music, Friends and Cold Canyon -- 4-7 p.m. Oct. 11. A hike to the old homestead for a program of plays and songs inspired by the quiet time of dusk. Gradual hike (with steps); about three miles round trip.

Basic Botany as a Way to ID Plants -- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 25. An easy hike with instruction in basic plant anatomy to help in identifying major plant families.

Nocturnal Happenings -- 5-7 p.m. Nov. 8. What sort of things go bump in the night? A walk for children ages 8 through 12, and adults.

Botanical Drawing -- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 9. A step-by-step process to draw what you see at the reserve. No experience necessary. All materials provided.

Photography and Nature: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Footprints -- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 15. Bring a camera -- film or digital -- and a sense of wonder.

Loop Trail: What Are You Thankful For -- 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 29. Annual day-after Thanksgiving hike. Five miles with a 1,200-foot elevation gain (with many steps), offering distinctive changes in plant communities and breathtaking views (including waterfalls after a rain). Bring sturdy shoes, a snack and at least a liter of water.

Animal Tracking -- 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 6 at Lake Solano (meet in the day-use parking lot).

A Hike in the Rain -- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 13. See how nature copes on a rainy day along the Homestead Trail. Organizers said the hike will be postponed in the event of sunshine.

Winter Solstice: Renewal -- 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Dec. 21. Traverse the canyon on the shortest day of the year.

NATURE'S THEATER

Birdman -- 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 18. For ages 4-8.

World of the Small -- 10-noon Oct. 26. For ages 6-10.

Summer Won't Go -- 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 1. For ages 4-8.

To Be a Tree -- 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 2. For ages 4-8.

Naming Day -- 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 16. For ages 6-10.

All activities are free and open to the public. 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.