Notes about your surroundings Nature Nights--A naturalist...

Notes about your surroundings Nature Nights--A naturalist will lead free evening hikes at Oak Canyon Nature Center every Wednesday at 7.

After the hike, guest speakers will present topics on natural history or the environment.

This Wednesday, explore the night sky with a member of the Riverside Astronomical Society. The presentation will include viewing constellations and planets through telescopes.

Oak Canyon Nature Center is at 6700 Walnut Canyon Road in Anaheim.

To get there, take the Riverside Freeway to Imperial Highway. Exit and head south to Nohl Ranch Road. Turn left and travel about three miles to Walnut Canyon Road, and turn left again. Pass the Anaheim Hills Golf Course; the nature center is at the end of the road, parking is on the left.

For more information, call the nature center at (714) 998-8380.

Donations Needed--Financial constraints are hitting Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve and Regional Park. In order to meet program goals, naturalists at the reserve are asking for help from the public.

Besides monetary contributions, the organization also needs canopies, a fax machine, canoes, paddles, life jackets, a laser printer, a gas-powered chain saw, craft supplies for booths at special events, taxidermy for animal and bird species, and a portable public-address system.

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 from guided bird tours to 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.