Nature Center Work to Start

Replicas of Chumash Indian baskets will be used to break ground next Sunday at 2 p.m. for the $1.5-million nature center building and auditorium at the William O. Douglas Outdoor Classroom.

The project is located in the Santa Monica Mountains on Lake Drive off Franklin Canyon Drive, between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley.

The building will contain exhibit areas dedicated to California Indians, wildlife and vegetation. Last year, the outdoor classroom was visited by more than 45,000 school children. Special activities are offered handicapped children and seniors.