INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

National Audubon Society, Los Angeles chapter, needs naturalists to lead schoolchildren on nature walks in Ballona Wetlands in Playa del Rey (the last salt marshes in Los Angeles County) from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesdays or Thursdays from October to May. Six Thursday classes of docent training begin Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to noon. Information: (310) 393-6205, or (310) 471-7592.

* Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro needs docents to lead schoolchildren on tours of the aquarium and nearby tide pools. Training runs from September through December. A commitment of one morning a week for two years is required. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Del Amo Gardens, a senior care center in Torrance, needs volunteers to visit the center’s residents. Many need help writing letters, reading and participating in group activities. Musical entertainment is welcomed. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* Food Finders needs volunteers to collect food from restaurants, grocery stores and bakeries in the South Bay area and deliver it to agencies that feed the homeless and other needy people. Information: Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, (310) 212-5009.

* California Highway Patrol Senior Volunteer Program, which provides services such as checking abandoned vehicles, conducting surveys of citizen-reported traffic problems, assisting with school safety programs, traffic control, public affairs, general office staff support and courier services, needs retirees 55 and over to join the squad. Volunteers must be in reasonably good health, have good driving records and be of good character. A background investigation and interview are required. An annual academy provides 80 hours of classroom and driving training. The next one runs Sept. 11 to 22. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 21 and are available in the CHP office lobby in Oceanside. Information: Darrel Beatty, (760) 757-1675.

* Southern California Foster Family and Adoption Agency in Los Angeles is holding an orientation Wednesday at 6 p.m. for prospective foster and adoptive parents. Information: Evan Sorensen, (213) 365-2900.

* Long Beach Heritage needs docents to conduct historical walking tours of downtown Long Beach. Training classes begin in September. Information: (562) 493-7019.

* Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children needs volunteers to provide support and referrals on a 24-hour hotline, facilitate support groups, conduct children’s groups, work in emergency response teams and accompany clients to court. Training runs Sept. 4 through Oct. 24 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Santa Monica. Information: Jennifer Chen Speckman, (310) 264-6646, Ext. 221.

* Boys & Girls Club of Burbank needs volunteers to serve as mentors, coaches and tutors for children. A qualified Web page designer is also needed to improve the club’s Web site. Information: Alex Fey, (818) 842-9333.

Information for this column should be submitted typed and double-spaced to Involvement Opportunities, SoCal Living, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012.