ENVIRONMENT / Notes about your surroundings

Dining Al Fresco--Sample the goodness of nature during a stroll Saturday through the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy with Kahanah Farnsworth, author of “A Taste of Nature . . . Edible Plants of the Southwest and How to Prepare Them.” Visitors will gather nonnative herbs to create a salad and teas. Bring a picnic lunch. The $16 fee includes a copy of the book, featuring such delicacies as creamed tumbleweed. The outing is from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The conservancy is five miles east of San Juan Capistrano. Reservations: (949) 489-9778.

Junior Scientists--How and why do gases expand and liquids bubble and ooze? Find out next Sunday at a program offered at the Oak Canyon Nature Center for children 7 to 12 and their parents. Participants will make a chemistry kit, discover ordinary household ingredients to use in experiments and take a scenic hike through the canyon. Hours are 1 to 3 p.m. Cost is $6.50. 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.

On Safari--Slides of a trek through Zimbabwe will be shown at the monthly meeting Monday of the Orange County Sierra Singles. The potluck event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Cost including dinner is $7; $2 for the program only. Information: Lee Stern, (949) 768-6662.

Shell Toil--Robert Goodman will discuss his study of the endangered Western pond turtles of Orange County and how to preserve and improve their vanishing habitat at a free lecture Tuesday presented by the Orange County Natural History Assn. It begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Sea Country Community Center, 24602 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel. Information: (949) 831-3287.

* Send items for consideration to Vicky Clepper, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-4562.