Notes about your surroundingsOut of Africa--Harold Koopowitz,...

Notes about your surroundings

Out of Africa--Harold Koopowitz, professor of biology at UCI, will share his adventures collecting orchids in Africa at 10 a.m. today at the Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. The program is part of a lecture series sponsored by the Sherman Library and Gardens Docent Guild. Koopowitz has been collecting, growing and studying orchids for more than 30 years. He teaches ecology and conservation, and his research currently focuses on biodiversity losses in the tropics. $15. Information: (714) 673-2261.

Rooting Section--ReLeaf Costa Mesa will be planting trees at 9 a.m. Saturday at Idaho and California streets in Costa Mesa. The 90 trees are provided through a grant from the California Department of Forestry. Volunteers are welcome and should wear work clothes and bring gloves.

ReLeaf Costa Mesa is a nonprofit organization starting its fourth year of operation. It plants, protects and preserves trees in the city. Information: (714) 437-5874.

Waste Whittling--Reducing waste at home and at work will be discussed by Fran Berman, author of the book, “Trash to Cash: How Companies Can Save Money and Increase Profits,” at the meeting of the Orange County chapter of the Sierra Club. It begins at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at REI, 1411 S. Village Way, Santa Ana. The meeting is free and open to the public.

Toad Tool--Wildlife biologist Ruben Ramirez will explain the use of geographic information systems to study the distribution, habitat and ecology of the rare and endangered Arroyo Southwestern toad in the Angeles National Forest. He will speak at the meeting of the California Native Plant Society, Orange County chapter, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Irvine Ranch Water District headquarters, 15600 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine. Geographic information systems, which combine mapping, database development and other computer techniques, are used to study flora and fauna throughout the forest. Free.