ENVIRONMENT

Notes about your surroundings.

The Date Outdoors--Spend an evening with some real party animals at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy’s annual fund-raiser Oct. 10. Bats, rattlesnakes, hawks, owls, mountain lions and insects will be the focus of exhibits and talks by experts during “A Date with Nature.” Among the scheduled participants: the Bird of Prey Center, wildlife biologist Frank Wegscheider with live California native snakes, the Orange County Natural History Assn. and Dr. Sue’s Insect and Arthropod Zoo.

Guided nature walks will be offered every 15 minutes. There will be a catered barbecue, guitar music, a Native American storyteller, stargazing through telescopes and a silent auction. Children can learn to dissect owl pellets, find fossils and join in a scavenger hunt. The night wraps up with a marshmallow roast around the campfire.

The nature night runs from 4 to 9. Cost is $50 per person or $100 per family. Reservations are due Oct. 5. Reservations, information and directions: (949) 489-9778.

Last year more than 400 people attended the event. Proceeds go to educational programs, biological research and equipment for trail maintenance. The conservancy manages a 1,200-acre wilderness reserve in the coastal foothills east of San Juan Capistrano. Programs offered include guided nature walks, wildlife workshops, night hikes, wildlife studies, astronomy nights, natural history lectures and outdoor studies.

Natural Art--Artists drawing inspiration from California’s gardens and wilderness areas will display and sell their works Oct. 17 at the UCI Arboretum, on the UCI North Campus. Part of the proceeds will benefit the arboretum’s conservation work. The art show is presented by the Costa Mesa Art League. In addition, the arboretum will offer colorful plants for sale. The event takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $2; children are admitted free. (949) 824-5833.