Notes about your surroundings

Holiday Hike--Enjoy the Memorial Day holiday May 25 with a family outing at the Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills. The program, which runs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., includes a guided bird walk, a gourd bird feeder craft project, hands-on nature activity and an animal demonstration. Cost is $3 per person, plus $4.50 per group for materials. Pre-registration is recommended. The nature center is at 6700 E. Walnut Canyon Road, just off Nohl Ranch Road near the Anaheim Hills Golf Course. Information: (714) 998-8380.

Welcome Mat--The Sierra Club is celebrating the opening of its Orange County office with an open house Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The office is at 230 E. 17th St., Suite 206, Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 631-3140.

After the Storm--If you stocked up on sandbags for El Nino’s winter deluge, you may be wondering what to do with them now. The city of Fountain Valley, which distributed more than 10,000 sandbags to residents and businesses, says to recycle or reuse those bags. Properly stored, the outer bag is designed to last two years. A dry and dark location, such as a garage, is recommended. If the bag is deteriorating, empty the sand into a good spot in the yard, to fill in low spots or mix with soil in planter beds. Residents can also return sandbags to the Fountain Valley City Yard at 18240 Ward St.

Nature Protection--A meeting for the Natural Communities Conservation Planning program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the San Clemente High School Little Theater, 700 Avenida Pico. The program, established in 1991 by Gov. Pete Wilson and managed by the California Department of Fish and Game, seeks to protect native plants and animals by leaving habitats undeveloped. Information: (949) 489-9778.