ENVIRONMENT / Notes about your surroundings.

Can Fans--Start collecting cans for the Santa Ana Zoo’s annual Two-Cans for Toucan Day on Feb. 6. Children under 12 who bring in two empty aluminum cans will receive free admission. The child who contributes the most cans wins a free family membership to the zoo, and the runner-up gets a zoo T-shirt. Proceeds from recycling the cans will be used for improvements to the zoo.

Great Western Reclamation, a co-sponsor of the event, will have its robot “Cycler,” made from bottles and cans, on hand to educate visitors about recycling.

Children can create a toucan beak with supplies provided by the zoo, and observe the toucans at the zoo. Two species, the collared aracari and the channel-billed toucan, are currently on display.

Toucan Day is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for seniors. The zoo is at Prentice Park, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana. Information: (714) 953-8555.

Nature Outing--Bring the family to the Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim Hills Monday for a birding adventure. Stroll the trails and listen to the sounds of the canyon. Parents and children can use binoculars and bird guides to identify local birds, and make a natural bird feeder to take home. Hours are 3 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $3 per person and preregistration 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.

Birds and Bees--The amazing methods plants use to ensure pollination of their flowers will be explained at the meeting Thursday of the California Native Plant Society, Orange County chapter. Eugene Jones, professor of botany and chairman of biological sciences at Cal State Fullerton, is the guest speaker. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine. Free. Information: Celia Kutcher, (714) 278-4795.

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