Notes about your surroundings

Earth Day--Celebrate the planet at O’Neill Regional Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Events will include natural history displays, environmental exhibits and guided nature tours. Children may also enjoy a petting zoo, face painting and storytellers. Live musical entertainment will also be featured.

O’Neill Regional Park is at Trabuco Canyon and Oak Canyon roads in Rancho Santa Margarita. The park is surrounded by oaks, and miles of hiking trails crisscross the canyon. Shaded picnic areas are also located throughout the parkland.

There is a $4 entry fee per vehicle.

To get to O’Neill Regional Park, take Interstate 5 to El Toro Road and then head east. At the end of El Toro Road, veer south onto Live Oak Canyon Road, which will turn into Trabuco Canyon Road. The gate is a few miles up the road on the right.

Donations Needed--Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Regional Park is facing fiscal uncertainty this year. Budget constraints caused by the county bankruptcy have placed the reserve in the position of relying on donations, both cash and in-kind contributions, to make ends meet.

Upper Newport Bay is home to many native and migrating species, including black-necked stilts, whimbrels and white pelicans. The reserve also offers a broad range of programs such as guided tours, kayaking and fly-fishing.

To arrange the pickup of a donation, or for more information on programs, call the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve office at (714) 640-6746.