Habitat Symposium at Cal State Fullerton

Habitat destruction can be linked to the decline of many plant and animal populations. Protection of endangered habitats is crucial to a healthy environment.

The Southern California Botanists, in conjunction with the Cal State Fullerton Biology Department, will be sponsoring a symposium on the Management of Endangered Habitats on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The program will be held in the Ruby Gerontology Center on campus. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. Call (714) 773-3548 or (714) 869-4062.

ENVIRONMENT

The second Healing the Planet symposium will be held at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Organized by the Beyond War Foundation, the L.A. Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility and UCLA Extension, speakers such as Barry Commoner and Petra Kelly will discuss economic, political and ethical issues. Call (213) 825-9971 or (818) 784-7006 to register.

The annual Morro Bay Field Ecology Workshop of the Sierra Club’s Natural Science Section will be held Nov. 2-4. Call (714) 650-0654.

SCIENCE FOR FAMILIES

Kids can learn about the body’s bone structure while creating traditional Halloween skeleton displays in workshops at Pasadena’s Kidspace Museum on Wednesday at 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. Call (818) 449-9144.

Scavenger hunts, games and educational activities will highlight a family walk led by Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy docents in Happy Camp Park on Saturday at 10 a.m. Call (805) 255-0640 or (213) 456-7807.

ARCHEOLOGY

Some of the world’s finest prehistoric rock carvings, located near the desert community of Ridgecrest, will be the topic of a class and field trip offered by UCLA Extension. Archeologist Anne Duffield will present an illustrated lecture on Oct. 30, followed by a trip to the area on Nov. 3. Call (213) 206-8503.

MARINE SCIENCE

Adults and youngsters over 13 can join a research project on the spider crab population of the Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge in a workshop offered by the Cabrillo Marine Museum on Nov. 3 at 1:30 p.m.

Museum naturalists will also be leading an overnight observation and collecting expedition to Santa Catalina Island on Nov. 2-3. Call (213) 548-7563 for information on both programs.

ASTRONOMY

The amateur astronomy club of the Santa Clarita Valley will have an informational program on the various types of telescopes on Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center. Call (805) 259-3284 or (818) 362-1175.

Mt. Wilson Observatory solar astronomer Larry Webster will give a behind-the-scenes look at the world-renowned observatory at the Santa Monica College Planetarium program on Friday at 8 p.m., following the Night Sky Show at 7 p.m. Call (213) 452-9223.

MEDICINE/HEALTH

Health-care professionals will address the special concerns of pregnancy for women over 30 in a program at the Medical Center of North Hollywood on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Call (818) 753-2483.