Notes about your surroundings

Natural Leaders--Want to share your love of nature? The Sea and Sage Audubon Society is seeking volunteer naturalists to lead hands-on nature discovery programs for elementary school children at the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. A nine-part naturalist training class begins Sept. 11 and continues on select Tuesday and Thursday mornings through Oct. 16. The sessions take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Duck Club at the sanctuary. To reserve a space, call Trude Hurd at (714) 261-7963.

The Santa Ana Zoo will be conducting its docent training workshop Tuesday and Thursday mornings from Sept. 30 to Oct. 30 to prepare volunteers to teach educational programs. The zoo’s education department offers school tours, a traveling Zoomobile, weekend family classes and “Critter’s Corner,” a public contact center with exotic animals. During the training program, participants will get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo, learn techniques for teaching in a zoo setting and how to handle and present the animals. Bilingual volunteers are especially needed. For an application, call (714) 836-4000.

On Tap--Save money and water with free “low flow” shower heads and home water conservation kits available to customers of the Yorba Linda Water District through September. The kits include materials for making older toilets more water efficient and information on conserving water at home. The shower heads and kits can be picked up at the main office, 4622 Plumosa Drive. The water district provides water and sewer service to Yorba Linda and portions of Placentia, Anaheim, Brea and unincorporated Orange County.

Early Birds--Register now for the Amigos de Bolsa Chica’s 18th annual “Running Is for the Birds” walk and run Saturday, Oct. 4. The cost is $20 for adults before Sept. 20 and $23 after. Youth prices are $15 before Sept. 20 and $17 after. Funds raised go toward the acquisition, restoration and enhancement of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. The event takes place on the north end of Bolsa Chica State Beach. Prizes are awarded to the first three finishers in both men’s and women’s 10K and 5K races. Information: (714) 897-7003.