AT THE ARBORETUM

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

Folk Music Jams -- Play or listen. Noon Oct. 31, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, Wyatt Deck, adjacent to the redwood grove, Old Davis Road. Parking $6 in Lot 5, Old Davis Road and A Street.

Tour -- Autumn in the California Native Plant Collection. 11 a.m. Nov. 1, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. Free parking in Lot 1 and the south entry garage (south of the Mondavi Center).

Botanical watercolor workshop -- Instructor Catherine Buscaglia will provide the materials and instructions to create arboretum-inspired botanical gift wrap, tags and cards for the holidays. All levels welcome. $85, or $75 for students and members of Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 9. Advance registration required, by contacting the headquarters at (530) 752-4880 or arboretum@ucdavis.edu.

Tour -- More Color in Your Garden. 2 p.m. Nov. 9, gazebo, Garrod Drive. Free parking along Garrod Drive and in Lot 55.

Walk With Warren -- With Warren Roberts, arboretum superintendent. Noon Nov. 12, gazebo, Garrod Drive. Parking $6 in Lot 55.

Bicycle tour -- Bring your bicycle to visit new paths and plants in the Australian section, see public art, visit the new nursery, learn about the big plans for the east end, and much more. Easy, slow ride lasting about one hour and covering less than five miles. 11 a.m. Nov. 15, Buehler Alumni and Visitors Center. Free parking in Lot 1 and the south entry garage (south of the Mondavi Center).

Tour -- Birds in the Garden. 2 p.m. Nov. 23, arboretum headquarters, La Rue Road. Free parking in Lot 47.

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

AT STEBBINS COLD CANYON

NATURE OUTINGS

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

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. 9. 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.