Notes about your surroundings

A Docent Life: The Santa Ana Zoo is looking for volunteers who enjoy working with animals and children to train to be docents. A workshop will be given Monday and Wednesday mornings from Jan. 26 through March 9. Docents teach the zoo’s education programs, which include school tours, a traveling Zoomobile, weekend family classes and “Critters Corner,” a public contact center with exotic animals. During the training program, participants get a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo and learn techniques for teaching in a zoo setting and how to handle and present the animals. For an application, call (714) 647-6575. The Santa Ana Zoo is at Prentice Park, 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana.

Winter Camping--A little cold weather shouldn’t bother the intrepid outdoor enthusiast. A program given at the two Orange County Recreational Equipment Inc. locations will give tips on dressing to stay warm and choosing the right camping gear. Other topics include trip planning and safety considerations. It begins at 7 p.m. Jan. 15 at REI in Santa Ana, 1411 S. Village Way, and at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 at 25732 El Paseo, Mission Viejo. The contact in Santa Ana is Mitch Herbert, (714) 543-4142; for Mission Viejo, call Erin Hass at (714) 348-1400.

Whale of a Series--Whales, dolphins and pinnipeds are the focus of a lecture series this winter at the Orange County Marine Institute. Each Saturday lecture will be followed by a 2 1/2-hour marine mammal exploration cruise aboard the institute’s R/V Sea Explorer. Kicking off the series Saturday will be biologist Patti Hainline on identifying marine mammals off Dana Point. It begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the cruise from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The cost is $18 for adults and $12 for children younger than 12 and senior citizens. The marine institute is at 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. (714) 496-2274.

Bird Tracking--Explore the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve to observe the common loons, horned grebes, canvasbacks and other birds in residence this winter. Free docent-led tours, sponsored by the Amigos de Bolsa Chica, will be given Saturday. Groups will leave every 20 minutes from 9 to 10:30 a.m., starting at the pedestrian bridge one mile south of Warner Avenue on Pacific Coast Highway. Information: (714) 897-7003.