Notes about your surroundings

Docent Opportunity--Volunteer naturalists are needed to give tours of the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine during the fall and spring school semesters.

Tour guides lead groups of 12 to 16 students along marked trails, pointing out birds, plants and animals along the way. Volunteer naturalists will lead or assist with two tours a month during the 1995-96 school year.

For many of the children, the tour may be their first trek into a wilderness area.

Docents do not need a strong nature background to excel. Many of the species are commonly recognized. Birds spotted at the wetlands include great blue herons, egrets and red-tailed hawks. Tour leaders must have good observational skills and patience. The rest will be taught.

Volunteers will attend nine morning classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and go on tours to learn about the wetlands and wetland inhabitants. A naturalist will lead these training sessions which begin in September and continue through November.

Additional experience will be gained by observing and assisting tours. A love of the natural world combined with energy and enthusiasm are required to be a succeed as a docent.

Cost to participate is $15 which covers registration, training manual, materials and a name badge. To get more information or to sign up, call Sea & Sage Audubon at (714) 261-7963. Leave your name, phone number and mailing address; an information packet will be mailed to you.