Science / Medicine : 2 Museums Schedule Earth Day Events

Earth Day is almost here once again.

Although not accompanied by the hype of last year’s 20th-anniversary celebration, many organizations continue to work quietly to improve the quality of our environment.

This year, for example, the Cabrillo Marine Museum in San Pedro and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park both have daylong events planned to celebrate Earth Day on April 21.

Like the old custom of having a canary in a coal mine as a safety indicator, bird populations in the world can signify whether our environment is healthy or ailing. At the Natural History Museum, birds and their role in the environment will be the focus of Earth Day events. Visitors can learn about the interdependent relationships through interactive displays and full-scale habitats in the Schreiber Hall of Birds, workshops and demonstrations throughout the day.

Covering two-thirds of the planet, the world’s oceans are also an indicator of environmental health. Visitors to the Cabrillo Museum can learn about protecting and conserving the marine environment in workshops, tours of the Salinas de San Pedro salt marsh, assisting in a beach and tide pool cleanup and presentations by various groups throughout the day.

Activities for children and adults are planned by both organizations. For Natural History Museum information call (213) 744-3466; for the Cabrillo Museum call (213) 548-7562.

ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY

The El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach will be offering a class and field trip to study the ecology of the Anza-Borrego Desert. Classes are April 17 and 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center, the one-day trip to the desert will be April 27. Call (213) 421-9431, Ext. 3213.

Participants can learn to identify animals and how they interact with their environment in a wilderness tracking class offered by Earth Skills on April 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Locations vary but are generally in the Santa Monica Mountains area. Call (213) 833-4249.

SCIENCE FOR KIDS

Science workshops for children at the California Museum of Science and Industry begin April 13. Workshops in electronics, environmental issues and astronomy are only a few of the many hands-on classes that are available. Call (213) 744-7440.

An imaginary visit to a doctor’s office where young patients can learn about medical procedures and equipment, learn good health habits and allay their fears will be the workshop topic offered at The Children’s Museum in La Habra on April 20 at noon. Call (213) 905-9793.

Children ages 8-12 can take “A Child’s Tour of the Universe,” a UCLA Extension astronomy activities course on April 13 and 20 at 9 a.m., followed by an evening observation trip on the 20th at 7:30 p.m. Call (213) 825-7093.

BOTANY

Recognizing wildflowers in La Jolla Canyon will be one of the highlights of a beginner’s botany workshop offered by the Sierra Club Natural Science Section on April 21. Call (805) 967-0593.

ASTRONOMY

“The Astronomers,” the first of a six-part PBS series on our current knowledge of the universe, will be the catalyst for a discussion on astronomy at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. The museum’s Astronomical Unit will also be celebrating Astronomy Day with exhibits and telescopes displayed near Gladwin Planetarium on April 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. Call (805) 682-4711.

The planet Venus will be the featured subject at the Santa Monica College Planetarium show on Friday and April 19 at 8 p.m., following the Night Sky Show at 7. Call (213) 452-9223.

The El Camino College Planetarium program will explore the history and future of telescopes on Friday and April 19 and 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the auditorium box office. Call (213) 715-3200.