Science / Medicine : Laymen Can Join Paleontological Dig
Volunteers can work side by side with research scientists in a paleontological dig on Cedros Island in Baja California, sponsored by the National Geographic Society and the Foundation for Field Research.
With Lawrence Barnes, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, team members will excavate fossils of marine animals such as dolphins, whales and sharks. Fossils will be used to reconstruct the life in the island area as it was 15 to 20 million years ago.
No experience is necessary, but members contribute physical work and tax-deductible financial support for the research project. Participants can join the project for one to four weeks, Feb. 29 to March 28. Early registration is necessary. Call (619) 445-9264.
SCIENCE FOR KIDS
Children and their families can celebrate Groundhog Day at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County by learning about these mysterious animals in “The Shadowy World of Groundhogs.†The program will by conducted by mammalogy collections manager Lynn Barkley and artist Stuart Vaughan on Feb. 2 at 1:30 p.m. Call (213) 744-3534.
ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGY
The ecological crisis facing the lush environment of Madagascar, including the threatened deforestation of the East African island, will be discussed by environmentalist Frans Lanting at a presentation by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn. at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park in Los Angeles on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are suggested. Call (213) 664-1100.
January and February are good months to explore the desert environment because of mild temperatures and low sun angles. Visitors can view some of the world’s best ventifacts (rocks carved by the wind) and look for marine fossils in a field trip to Garnet Hill offered by the Palm Springs Desert Museum on Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m. Call (619) 325-7186.
MARINE SCIENCE
Research biologist Susan Chivers will discuss her studies of eastern tropical Pacific dolphins, and Trisha Buchanen, chairman of the Southern California Region Wetlands for the Sierra Club, will discuss the wetlands crisis at the monthly meeting of the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society on Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cabrillo Marine Museum. Call (310) 548-8500 or (310) 548-7562.
A tour of the Santa Catalina Island Marine Institute laboratories and the Marine Mammal Museum, astronomy programs, snorkeling and exploration of the island environment are some of the activities planned for a weekend trip to Catalina sponsored by the Save the Whales organization Feb. 7-9. Early registration is advised. Call (310) 392-6226.
HEALTH/MEDICINE
UCLA will offer several programs on health and health-related topics in upcoming weeks. On Tuesday, UCLA medical faculty members will discuss “Breast Implants Update: Facts, Myths and Medical Guidelines†at 7 p.m. in the Neuropsychiatric Institute (NPI) Auditorium. Call (310) 825-5582.
Dr. Molly Joel Coye, director of the California Department of Health Services, will discuss the future of public health care in California on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the UCLA Faculty Center. Call (310) 825-5119.
The diagnosis, theories, genetics and treatment methods of anxiety disorders will be discussed in a program of UCLA medical faculty and staff members on Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. in the NPI Auditorium. Call (310) 206-5133.
