Aboretum Offers Preview of Earth Day Activities

This year’s annual Environmental Education Fair, today at Los Angeles State and County Arboretum, offers a taste of upcoming Earth Day activities. As in Earth Day, the focus is on learning about environmental problems and improving our surroundings.

The 68 exhibitors--who will set up booths in Ayres Hall, in a tent and on the lawn--will gear the presentations to elementary and junior high school students, although many of the activities (such as face painting) will appeal to small children too.

TreePeople will give away seedlings, the Wildlife Waystation will have a few wild animals on hand, and several insect organizations will trot out prize tarantulas and other creepy crawlies for inspection.

Hands-on activities will include acorn grinding with the Cold Creek Docents and log sawing with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. In a twist on popular fishing games, youngsters will take turns trying to fish debris out of a tide pool.

Chumash Indian dances are scheduled for 12:30 p.m., followed by a Dr. Seuss tale by storyteller Mark Lewis. The Committee for Better Lighting will set up a mini-planetarium to show how city dwellers are robbed of the starry night sky.

Fair activities, which last from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., are included in the admission price: $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and youngsters 13 to 17, 75 cents for children 12 and younger.

The arboretum is at 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Information: (818) 446-8251.