Ten fun, cheap ways to get to know Sonoma County parks

If you don't know how to build a makeshift shelter in the wilderness, haven't tasted seaweed freshly plucked from the surf and have yet to hike under a full moon atop Sonoma Mountain — get ready. Sonoma County Regional Parks on Wednesday — Earth Day —is kicking off its annual Parks Celebration, a monthlong series of 50 free or low cost events to highlight the county's public parks and open spaces.

The events range from kid-friendly science activities to strenuous naturalist-led hikes and take place at parks from Salt Point to Tolay Creek. A list of 10 Press Democrat picks follows. For a complete list of all 50, check out the activities calendar at parks.sonomacounty.ca.gov.

Art and hiking on Earth Day

Park staff will lead a collective art project at the Environmental Discovery Center throughout the afternoon for families. Naturalists will lead family-focused hikes at 1 and 3 p.m. Parking fee $7 or free for Regional Parks members.

1 to 5 p.m. Wednesday at Spring Lake Regional Park, 393 Violetti Road, Santa Rosa.

School of rocks

Geologist Jane Nielson will lead a talk called the Geologic History of Laguna de Santa Rosa and Coastal California. She'll discuss the laguna and the rocks beneath it, which were once part of a great ocean basin, as well as the earth forces shaping Sonoma County's topography from the coastal mountain ranges down to the lowest elevations. No RSVP or registration required.

7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Laguna de Santa Rosa Environmental Center, 900 Sanford Road, Santa Rosa.

Spying on seabirds

Peer through telescopes to spot offshore nesting seabirds on Gualala Point Island with retired seabird biologist Doug Forsell and local naturalist Ken Browning. The rock island is viewable from the Bluff Top Trail between Gualala Point Regional Park's day use area and the Salal Trail in the Sea Ranch. Parking is $7 at the park or free for Regional Parks members.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday at Gualala Point Regional Park, 42401 Highway 1, Gualala

Backpacker basics

An introduction to backpacking and low-impact camping will go over making gear checklists, food prep and storage, 'leave-no-trace' tips and other wilderness instruction for new backpackers. Led by park rangers, the clinic will also discuss backpacking with children. Participants can return May 23 to camp at the park. Space is limited. Register with Regional Parks Ranger Jonathan Umholtz at jonathan.umholtz@sonoma-county.org.

6 to 7 p.m. April 29, Helen Putnam Regional Park, 411 Chileno Valley Road, Petaluma

Survival course

If marooned in the wilderness, could you purify water, start a fire without matches and build shelter? Regional parks staff with experience on multi-day backpacking adventures will share these back country skills and others. Bring a dish to share for a lunch potluck. Register in advance by emailing ben.becker@sonoma-county.org. The clinic is free. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol

Moonlit hike

Experience the county's newly opened park on Sonoma Mountain by the light of a full moon. A ranger and naturalist will lead the group on a 1.5-mile hike to the Umbrella Tree, a lone bay tree and picnic spot that overlooks Santa Rosa and Bennett Valley. The first half of the hike includes a moderately difficult climb. Bring a jacket, flashlight and plenty of water. No registration necessary. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members

8 to 10 p.m. May 2 at North Sonoma Mountain Regional Park and Open Space Preserve, 5297 Sonoma Mountain Road, Santa Rosa

Behind anemone lines

Look for sea urchins, anemones, bivalves, crab, starfish and other creatures in the tide pools of Bodega Harbor. Meet the Tide Pool Creatures is designed for preschool and elementary school-aged children. Children will have the opportunity to hold or touch sea animals and look for them at low tide. No registration needed. Waterproof shoes recommended. Ask staff at the Doran Regional Park's entry kiosk for directions.

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Doran Regional Park, 201 Doran Beach Road, Bodega Bay

Urban hike

Take a 3.5-mile walk on city streets and sidewalks to explore the vacant land that was slated to be a highway but is now open space linking Spring Lake to Highway 12 at Farmers Lane. The walk will be led by members of the Southeast Greenway Campaign, a community effort to turn that space into a public greenway. The walk includes one steep hill. Register with Thea Hensel at 953-1207 or theahensel@gmail.com.

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. May 16. Meet at the Montgomery High School parking lot near the tennis courts, 1250 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa

Kid-friendly hike

An easy, 1.5-mile family-friendly hike with Sonoma Ecology Center docents and educators. Free ice cream at the end. Reserve a spot by emailing sugarloaf@sonomaecologycenter.org. Parking is $8.

10 to 11:30 a.m. May 25 at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, 2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood

Savoring seaweed

Park staff will identify common types of edible seaweed and sea vegetables and teach people how to safely and gently explore inter-tidal areas. The activity includes an easy 1-mile walk to the beach and a taste of seaweed soup. Bring a picnic lunch. No registration necessary. Parking is $7 or free for Regional Parks members.

10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. May 25 at Stillwater Cove Regional Park, 22455 Highway 1, Jenner