AT THE ARBORETUM

Folk Music Jams—Play or listen. Noon 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.

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.

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

Tour—Gardening in a Mediterranean Climate. 11 a.m. Dec. 6, gazebo, Garrod Drive. Free parking along Garrod Drive and in Lot 55.

Walk With Warren—With Warren Williams, arboretum superintendent. Noon Dec. 10, gazebo, Garrod Drive. Parking $6 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

Perhaps you have taken a guided hike or two in Stebbins Cold Canyon and have grown fond of the place, managed by UC Davis as part of the UC Natural Reserve System.

Perhaps you would like to give back to Mother Nature what she has given you. One way to do so is to be a volunteer guide or assistant for the canyon’s themed hikes.

You can learn more by attending an information meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Davis Library, 315 E. 14th St.

The training is scheduled over four days: Dec. 14, and Jan. 4, 10 and 17. Hours for all sessions are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the location is Stebbins Cold Canyon. The training is free.

The 638-acre reserve is at the southeastern tip of Lake Berryessa off Highway 128 west of Winters. The drive from Davis is about 45 minutes.

A spokesman said the training program offers opportunities to explore and learn about the reserve. The training will also help each participant identify and develop a topic that can be molded into a presentation for the public.

For more information about being a volunteer guide, or to RSVP for the information meeting, send an e-mail to Jeff Falyn, jfalyn@ucdavis.edu.

The reserve's fall-winter activities conitnue through Dec. 21 as follows:

NATURE OUTINGS

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

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: nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins.html.