Science / Medicine : Wetlands Explored in Museum Exhibit
The coastal wetlands of Southern California are rapidly disappearing. At the turn of the century, there were about 53,000 acres of coastal wetlands between Morro Bay and Ensenada, Mexico, according to the Cabrillo Marine Museum. Only about 11,000 acres remain. These tidal wetlands are explored in a new exhibit, “Mud Flats: Cradle of Life,” at the Cabrillo Museum in San Pedro.
More than 50 species of marine fish rely on this habitat for spawning and nursery areas. In addition, the wetlands serve as important feeding and wintering grounds for migratory and resident birds, including some endangered species.
Using changing displays and aquariums, the recently opened exhibit reveals the importance of these areas and the wide variety of life that can be found there. Call (213) 548-7562.
ASTRONOMY
NASA’s plans to explore the outer solar system will be the topic of a lecture by Randii Wessen of the JPL Comet Rendezvous Asteroid Flyby/Cassini Team at the Santa Monica College Planetarium at 8 p.m. Jan. 26. The night sky show will precede the lecture at 7 p.m. Call (213) 452-9223.
The Local Group, the astronomy club of the Santa Clarita Valley, will hold a star watcher’s class to familiarize budding astronomers with the night sky at 7 p.m. Friday at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. School-age children are encouraged to attend. The club will also be having their monthly star party Jan. 27, location to be announced. Call (805) 259-3284 or (818) 362-1175.
HEALTH/MEDICINE
Cardiologist Richard Bing will discuss the work and lives of some of the pioneers of cardiology in a lecture at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday in USC’s Hastings Auditorium. Call (213) 224-7232.
ENVIRONMENT
The evolutionary progress of humans and the resultant effects on the physical environment of the Earth will be examined in “Endangered Earth: An Evolutionary Perspective,” a three-day conference sponsored by the UCLA School of Medicine, beginning Tuesday. Conference registration begins at noon in Royce Hall. Call (213) 825-4255.
Participants will learn about the winter ecology, geology and habitat of the Sequoia Forest in a cross-country ski trip sponsored by the Sierra Club on Feb. 16 to 19. Sandy Leibman of the Natural Science Section will lead skiers and/or hikers into various areas of the forest. Deadline to register is Jan. 31. Call (818) 347-5261 or (818) 360-8305.
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
Children and their families can learn about winter through stories told by Kathleen Zundell at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County’s whale tales program Jan. 28 at 3:15 p.m. Miriam Cantor will provide signing for deaf and hearing-impaired children. Call (213) 744-3335 or 744-3534.
At the Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, children can learn about reflections and optical illusions in the new color works exhibit. Special activities will be Jan. 24 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Also at Kidspace, youngsters can learn about the Earth’s environment by participating in the creation of a mural that will depict a healthy planetary environment. The completed mural will be displayed at the museum. Activities will be held Jan. 27 and 28 from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.
ORNITHOLOGY
The Los Angeles chapter of the Audubon Society will hold a two-part raptor workshop to introduce participants to Southern California birds of prey. The workshop consists of a lecture at 7:30 p.m. Friday and a field trip at 7 a.m. Saturday to observe such species as red-tailed hawks and prairie falcons. Interested people can choose to attend the lecture only. Call (213) 876-0202.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History naturalists will be leading a trip to Pt. Mugu to observe birds of this limited-access area Feb. 4. Deadline to register is Jan. 22. Call (805) 682-4711 for registration forms.
