ENVIRONMENT / Notes about your surroundings.

Animal Charm--Sip a cup of hot cocoa while learning about local wildlife on Saturday nights at the Nature Center in Irvine’s Turtle Rock Community Park, 1 Sunnyhill Drive. Naturalists will spotlight different animals each month, with nature stories, songs and crafts. A night hike on the trail is also included, so bring a flashlight. The schedule is: barnyard buddies, Jan. 9; feathered friends, Feb. 6; and frogs and other folks, March 6. Hours are 6:30 to 8 p.m. Cost is $3 per person or $8 for a family of three. Children must be accompanied by a paying adult. Information: (949) 854-8144.

Class Action--Courses that examine ways of reversing environmental deterioration, the state of local ocean water and the Southland’s wildlife are offered during the spring semester at Orange Coast College. “Environment and Man” covers physical, biological and political ways of helping the environment and how to conserve and manage natural resources. It meets Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at noon. Dennis Kelly, an expert on the condition of Southern California’s coastal waters, will teach an oceanography course on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Students who enroll in the accompanying lab course on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon will conduct field investigations of local waters. “Wildlife of Southern California,” on Tuesdays from 7 to 10 p.m., focuses on identification, behavior and management of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and tide-pool organisms. Spring semester classes begin Jan. 19. Orange Coast College is at 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 432-5072.

Museum Opening--The Orange County Natural History Assn. is looking for docents to help out at its museum in Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park. To volunteer, call (949) 831-3287.

* Send items for consideration to Vicky Clepper, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-7711.