NATURE OUTINGS

Star Gazing: Tour of the Night Sky — 6:30-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17. Bryn Bishop leads a 1 1/4-mile hike, slightly uphill, to a meadow — where she will focus on changes in the sky compared with the spring sky, point out planets, deep sky objects and constellations, and share stories on the mythology of the night sky. This outing fills up quickly, so act fast to reserve a spot. Wear appropriate clothing for evening; binoculars are optional.

Photography and Nature: Take Only Photos, Leave Only Footprints — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25. Daniel Ng offers instruction on capturing nature with film or digital cameras. Bring a camera and a sense of wonder.

Cold Canyon: A Possible Future — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1. A hike of approximately six miles with a 1,200-foot elevation gain, steps and boulder-hopping on the ridge, along the Loop Trail. During an exploration of the Cold Canyon headwaters, on private property, guide Andrew Fulks will discuss the Tuleyome environmental organization’s plan to buy the property and add to the trail system. Fulks is president of the Woodland-based Tuleyome and manager of UC Davis’ Putah Creek Riparian Reserve.

Bobcat Ranch: A Place to Explore! — 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Alex Palmerlee, manager of the 6,800-acre ranch northeast of Stebbins Cold Canyon, leads this moderate hike to the property’s inner reaches, highlighting the wildlife and habitats. The ranch is not normally open to the public, although Audubon California purchased property a few years ago, for conservation, restoration and recreation. Meeting time and place: 8:30 a.m., Steady Eddy’s in Winters.

Basic Botany: A Way to ID Plants — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Barbara Byrne leads this easy hike, offering instruction along the way on fundamentals of plant anatomy that provide clues to identifying major plant families.

Loop Trail: What Are You Thankful For? — 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Five miles, with 1,200-foot elevation gain (with many steps), showcasing distinctive changes in the plant communities and breathtaking views in all directions; if there has been recent rain, look for waterfalls. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring a snack and at least a liter of water.

Animal Tracking — 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 5, at Lake Solano. Foxes, mink, coyotes and other mammals usually stay out of sight, but they always leave behind clues to tell you they were there. Sean Clemenza helps you learn how to read the clues and see the landscape through animal eyes. Meet in the day-use parking lot.

Gesture Drawing — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6. Alison Kent offers instruction on how to train your hand to draw what your eyes see — before your brain gets in the way. Make holiday cards from your gesture drawings! Bring pens, markers, crayons and-or colored pencils.

Botanical Drawing — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12. Botanist Ruth Williams will lead participants through the process of observing key details of flowers and forbs, and show you how to create visual, botanically accurate renderings of native plants. Materials will be provided, but you may bring your own sketchbooks and pencils if desired. In case of rain, bring an umbrella.

Winter Solstice: Renewal — 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Traverse the canyon on the shortest day of the year — a time for reflection and optimism as you observe the change in seasons.

NATURE’S THEATER: Nature Play for Kids

Summer Won’t Go (for ages 4-8) — 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 18.

Glug, Glug and Water Boss (for ages 5-10) — 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 24.

To Be a Tree (for ages 5-10) — 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Nov. 7.

Professor Planthead (for ages 6-10) — 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Nov. 8.

Birdman (for ages 4-8) — 10 a.m.-noon Sunday, Dec. 6.

All activities are open to the public. Optional fees: $5 for 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: nrs.ucdavis.edu/stebbins.html.