ENVIRONMENT / Notes about your surroundings

Help Wanted--The Orange County Natural History Assn. is looking for volunteer docents to assist at its new museum in Aliso and Wood Canyons Regional Park. The museum is in a 24-by-60 foot trailer at 28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel. To sign up, call (949) 487-9155. The group plans to build a nature trail, connecting the museum to the natural habitats of the park.

Kelp Wanted--Climb aboard the R/V Sea Explorer on Saturday for a cruise to Santa Catalina Island and a day of snorkeling. Orange County Marine Institute biologists will lead explorations of underwater kelp forests and reef communities. Catch-and-release fishing is also offered, or participants may opt to explore the town of Avalon. Children 9 years and older are welcome, if accompanied by an adult. The boat leaves the marine institute docks at 7 a.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. Cost is $55 for adults and $50 for children 9 to 12. Other cruises are scheduled for July 11, July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22 and Aug. 29. The institute is at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive in Dana Point. Information: (949) 496-2274.

Game Plan--A free preview slide show of the Santa Ana Zoo’s 14-day safari to Kenya will be given Thursday at 7 p.m. in the zoo’s education classroom, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave. The trip, which departs from Los Angeles on Oct. 23, takes travelers through game-viewing national parks in East Africa. An optional six-day extension to Tanzania to see an elephant herd and tree-climbing lions is also available. Information: Ron Glazier, (714) 647-6598.

Back in Time--Archeologist Gary Hurd will present a program on “Native American Landscapes” from 2 to 5 p.m. June 28 at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Reservations: (949) 489-9778. The conservancy is five miles east of San Juan Capistrano.