Get outside and play in Sonoma County, week of April 7

SHEEP SHEARING, APRIL 7

Petaluma: Learn to card, spin and weave wool and make your own wool crafts 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.

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.

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.

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

APRIL 14 Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park

Wildflower walks: 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/

WALK AND TALK, APRIL 14

Occidental: Learn how to protect your home and landscape from fire during the Bodega Land Trust’s and Fire Safe Sonoma’s walk and talk, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Salmon Creek School’s Environmental Center, 1935 Bohemian Highway. $10 for adults, $5 for children12 and under. Visit bodegalandtrust.org for information.

BILL AND DAVE HIKE, APRIL 14

Santa Rosa: Join Bill and Dave on an 8.5-mile, 5.5-hour strenuous hike in Hood Mountain Regional Park’s Larsen property new addition, 1450 Pythian Road. Meet 9:45 a.m. in the large parking lot at the end of Los Alamos Road. Bring lunch and liquids and expect a water crossing of at least ankle depth. $7 entry fee. Visit billanddavehikes.com for details.

BREW FEST, APRIL 15

Santa Rosa: Sports Basement is holding a Brew Fest 2-5 p.m.Sunday at 1970 Santa Rosa Ave. $10 cash only tickets are available at the door. Proceeds go to the Humane Society Sonoma County and Fit for Equality. The event includes craft beers, games, treats and an animal kissing booth. Contact Christy Crowley 707-215-5460 or 628-207-8136 or visit sportsbasement.com for details.

BIRD WATCHING, APRIL 15

Santa Rosa: Join naturalist Lisa Hug on a Spring birdwatching walk in the Laguna de Santa Rosa, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet Heron Hall in the Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, then carpool to laguna sites. Bring water, lunch or snacks. $50, registration required. Visit lagunafoundation.org for details.

SMART CYCLING, APRIL 18

Santa Rosa: Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition’s 101 A bike safety class, 6-8:30 p.m. at 750 Mendocino Ave. A bicycle is not required for the class but bring a helmet for instruction on proper fitting. $20, $10 for coalition members. Visit bikesonoma.org for details.

KIDICAL MASS, APRIL 21

Santa Rosa: Bicycle parade for kids and kids at heart from Franklin Park, 2095 Franklin Ave. to Courthouse Square for an Earth Day celebration. 11:30 a.m. Visit bikesonoma.org or call 707 799-3911 for information.

WILDFLOWER WALKS, APRIL 21, 22

Glen Ellen: Wildfire walk along the Wolf House Trail 10 a.m.-12 p.m.Saturday at Jack London State Historic Park, 2400 London Ranch Road and a 4 to 8-mile hike on backwoods trails Sunday 10 a.m -1:30 p.m. Bring water and snacks. $15 per outing, parking extra. Limit of 15 participants per outing. Visit jacklondonpark.com for information.

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.

James Lanaras