Notes about your surroundings

Green Land--Explore Emerald Canyon, located inside the Irvine Co. Open Space Reserves, at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The seven- to eight-mile hike will take about five hours to complete. Emerald Canyon, on the southern reserve, covers canyons and bluff-tops.

Due to the hilly topography of the area, this hike is considered strenuous and is recommended for experienced hikers only. Children may not be comfortable hiking this distance. A variety of wildlife is indigenous to the area, including mule deer, gnatcatchers and coastal cactus wren. Binoculars and a bird identification book would be helpful to those with avian interests.

To ensure the hike is a good one, wear sturdy shoes. Take along drinking water. There are no water fountains or bathroom facilities at the reserve.

Parkland rules include no hunting, fires, camping or vehicles allowed on the reserve. Dogs are not permitted.

The entrance to the southern reserve is located off Laguna Canyon Road. For more information or to make a reservation for the hike, call (714) 832-7478.

Docents Wanted--The Nature Conservancy is looking for volunteers who would be interested in working at the Irvine Co. Open Space Reserves.

The environmental group is a private, nonprofit conservation organization. The group’s goal is to re-establish native shrubs and trees throughout the county’s open spaces.

Docents will establish and maintain trails, and lead hikes. An interest in birds or plants is helpful. A conservationist will teach docents about the native species and plants found at the different reserves. Volunteers should be comfortable speaking in front of a group.

For more information on becoming a docent, call (714) 832-7478.