Environment : Notes about your surroundings.

ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE: “Cargo to Extinction,” an exhibit created by the World Wildlife Fund-U.S., is now on display at Santa Ana City Hall and the Santa Ana Library at Civic Center Plaza during regular lobby hours at each location.

The display, sponsored by the Santa Ana Zoo, aims to educate the public about the impact of illegal wildlife trade. It is a crime to buy and import objects made from endangered species, as many tourists discover when they try to bring crocodile boots, tortoise-shell combs, leopard skins and other objects purchased overseas into the United States.

In the exhibit, display cases are filled with confiscated wildlife items and illustrate different aspects of the illegal wildlife trade: exotic cats. ivory, reptile products, coral and rhinoceros horn. In addition to the artifacts, the exhibit includes photographs and text describing the problems caused by the illegal wildlife trade.

All items in the exhibit were donated or loaned to the fund by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and were confiscated from tourists and commercial stockpiles. PROGRAMS: Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange will offer weekend nature programs at 1 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday through the month of December. Call (714) 538-4400. The Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point will be the site of family tide-pool excursions Dec. 3 and 4. Call (714) 496-2274.

A nature film festival will be offered at 10 a.m. Saturday at Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills. The Dec. 3 programs at the center are “Early Birder” and “Feathered Friend,” a bird walk at 8 a.m.followed by a 10 p.m. program in the interpretive center. Call (714) 998-8380.