MRT explores wetlands, night sky

The Mountains Restoration Trust Youth Naturalist Program is offering a pair of programs to teach children about nature.

•The first, at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, is a family outing to Sepulveda Basin Wetlands. Meet at the Sepulveda Wildlife Reserve, near Woodley and Burbank Boulevards.

Families will learn about the importance of wetlands and why they are vital to ecological health. Bring binoculars, water, lunch and sturdy shoes.

The program costs $15 for children ages 7 to 12. Parents and younger siblings are free.

•A program about astronomy will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 19 at Headwaters Corner, 23075 Mulholland Hwy. in Calabasas.

Children will learn about the night sky, and will create an astronomy-related craft. Bring a flashlight and a shoebox.

This program costs $15 and is for children ages 8 to 12.

Pre-registration is required for both programs.

Mountains Restoration Trust is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the Santa Monica Mountains and providing nature-related educational and recreational programs for all ages.

To pre-register or for more information, call (818) 5911701, ext. 181, or visit www.mountainstrust.org.