ENVIRONMENT

Notes about your surroundings.

Set Your Watch--Train to be a naturalist for the Orange County Whalewatch Program by signing up for a six-part course sponsored by the American Cetacean Society. The evening sessions begin Oct. 29. Participants will learn to speak in classrooms and on local whale-watching boats about the Pacific gray whale and other marine mammals spotted off the coast during migration season. Cost is $40. Information: Andee Burrell, (714) 842-1768.

Flight School--Become a whiz at identifying the birds of Orange County during a 10-week beginning birders class offered by Sylvia Gallagher of the Sea & Sage Audubon Society. Day and evening classes are available starting Oct. 7, and four field trips are scheduled. For an enrollment application, call (714) 962-8990.

Small World--Study microscopic fossils, plankton, spores and pollen in the Micropals program sponsored by the Orange County Natural History Assn. and the county Harbors, Beaches and Parks department. It is offered Oct. 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Orange County Natural History Museum, 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel. Those age 7 and older are welcome. Cost is $35, or membership in the natural history association. Information: (949) 487-9155 or (714) 891-8512.

Fall Forward--Bid farewell to summer and welcome fall on Wednesday, the first day of autumn, on a sunset guided nature walk at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy, five miles east of San Juan Capistrano. Look for nocturnal animals, learn about native plants and take in the colors of the sunset. Hours are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. $3 for adults and $2 for children. Reservations: (949) 489-9778.

Flower Hour--Take a stroll among the wildflowers that color local canyons, mountains and trails via a slide show at the meeting of the Sierra Sage chapter of the Sierra Club. It begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of South Orange County, 25801 Obrero, Mission Viejo. Information: (949) 631-3140 or (949) 494-3268.