Spring has sprung: Great ways to experience the outdoors in Sonoma County

SHEEP SHEARING, APRIL 7

Petaluma: Learn to card, spin and weave wool and make your own wool craft during Sheep Shearing Day 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park, 3325 Adobe Road. $3 adult, $2 children 6-17 and children under 5 free. 707-762-4871.

SCIENCE SATURDAY, APRIL 7

Santa Rosa: Learn how to write a secret message, practice your secret spy skills and learn how to make disappearing ink out of household items on Science Saturday beginning at 1,2 and 3 p.m. at the Environmental Discovery Center, Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Road. Free for all ages. Parking $7. Call 707-539-2865 or visit SonomaCountyParks.org for information.

WILDFLOWER WALK, APRIL 8

Santa Rosa: Take a five-mile Spring wildflower walk led by Shelly Spriggs up the north slope of Sonoma Mountain at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, 5297 Sonoma Mountain Road 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a hat, water, sunscreen and lunch. Parking $7. Register at SonomaCountyParks.org. 707-565-2041.

ANNADEL HALF MARATHON, APRIL 7

Santa Rosa: Register for the Annadel Half Marathon or the family friendly 5K run 8 a.m.-12 p.m. on April 7 at Spring Lake Regional Park, 5585 Newanga Ave. The half marathon is a hilly, technical run for experiences trail runners. It starts near the Spring Lake Oak Knolls picnic area and climbs over 1,700 feet in rocky terrain. Early registration is $75 and $85 after April 1. The 5K is an out-and-back run on a gravel fire road and starts at Oak Knolls and goes slightly into Trionne-Annadel State Park. Early registration is $40 and $45 after April 1. Register at www.annadelhalf.com/registration.html. Funds help build new trails at Taylor Mountain Regional Park. Parking $7, free for regional parks members. Visit SonomaCountyParks.org for details.

SPRING BIRDING, APRIL 8

Jenner: Join avian expert “Duck” Dave Barry on a free, strenuous birding hike for experienced hikers in the Jenner Headlands 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet at the new parking lot at the Jenner Headlands two miles north of Jenner on Highway 1. Dress warmly, heavy rain may cancel. Visit LandPaths.org for details.

WOMEN’S BIKE SUMMIT, APRIL 8

Santa Rosa: The first ever Women’s Bike Summit starts 9 a.m. when mountain bike and road rides of 15-17 and 20-25 miles depart the Trail House, 4036 Montgomery Drive and return at 12:30p.m. for cold beverages and lunch, mingling with vendors and women’s cycling groups and a raffle until 2 p.m. The $20 cost covers a beer, burrito and Eventbrite fee. Visit the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s website at bikesonoma.org for details.

LAGUNA EXPLORATION, APRIL 8

Cotati: Explore the upper reach of the Laguna de Santa Rosa during a 3-mile loop walk to the historic headwaters 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Bring a lunch, cookies provided $10-$15 sliding scale fee benefits the Laguna Foundation. Pre-registration required at lagunafoundation.org. 707-527-9277 ext. 100.

ART IN THE PARK, APRIL 8

Windsor: Bring your art supplies, your creativity, snacks and a lawn chair to Foothill Regional Park,1351 Arata Lane for a public art outing 1-3 p.m. Meet in the parking area. Parking $7. 707-565-2041. Visit SonomaCountyParks.org.

PUBLIC HIKE, APRIL 13

Santa Rosa: Guided, mild to strenuous 3-4-mile hike through forests and grasslands 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pepperwood Preserve, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road. Bring a lunch and meet at the Dwight Center.

WILDFLOWER WALKS, APRIL 14

Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park: Guided wildflower walk at Taylor Mountain Regional Park, 3820 Petaluma Hill Road in Santa Rosa, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and at Crane Creek Regional Park, 5000 Pressley Road in Rohnert Park 2-4 p.m. Registration required for both walks, parking $7. Visit SonomaCountyParks.org. 707-565-2041.

WILDFLOWER WALK, APRIL 13 and 15

Santa Rosa: Guided, slow-pace, one-mile walk through the meadows of Pepperwood Preserve, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Enjoy a picnic after the hike. Donations accepted. Meet at the lower parking lot.Visit pepperwoodpreserve.org. 707-591-9310.

FAMILY OVERNIGHT, APRIL 14-15

Santa Rosa: Explore Pepperwood Preserve during an overnight stay 2 p.m. Saturday-12 p.m. Sunday, 2130 Pepperwood Preserve Road. Potluck dinner and campfire program Saturday night, then sleep under the stars or at the Bechtel House. The overnight includes a moderate, slow pace 1- 3-mile hike. Meet at the Bechtel House. $25 per person, $20 for members, children under 1 free. 707-591-9310.

WILDFIRE ECOLOGY HIKE, APRIL 14

Santa Rosa: Find out how Hood Mountain Regional Park is recovering from the Nuns fire in October during a free, seven-mile, round trip strenuous trek into the southern section of the park, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet in the upper parking lot at 1450 Pythian Road in the park’s southern entrance. Parking $7, carpooling recommended. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Advance registration required at sonomacountyparks.ticketleap.com/hood-mountain-wildfire-ecology-hikes/.

DAY ON THE GREEN AT THE VILLAGE, APRIL 28

Santa Rosa: Celebrate the earth and its bounty at a free, family-friendly festival at Montgomery Village Shopping Center from 11 a.m-4 p.m. that benefits Well Trained Horses, a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing horses. Live music, dancing, magic and fine art that celebrates the earth. Located at the intersection of Highway 12 and Farmers Lane at Sonoma Ave. 707-545-3844.