Sunol-Ohlone Regional Wilderness celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, and the park staff needs your help to commemorate it.

The staff is looking for photos, anecdotes, family experiences, artwork or any other memorabilia that celebrates your connection to the park.

Send your submissions to P.O. Box 82, Sunol, CA 94586, or email them to svisit@ebparks.org. The big 50th birthday party will take place Nov. 3.

Of course Sunol's history extends back far more than 50 years. Bedrock mortars within the park are evidence that Native Americans inhabited the region for millennia. After the arrival of Europeans in California, the area was settled by homesteaders and ranchers.

Sunol became a regional park in 1962. Programs based at the park's Old Green Barn Visitor Center highlight the area's cultural and natural history. Sunol is also a way station on the Ohlone Wilderness Trail, which extends for 30 miles through some of the district's most remote and beautiful regional parklands.

The park is located at the end of Geary Road, off Calaveras Road, five miles south of the town of Sunol. For more information, call 510-544-3249.

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    Park district naturalists are leading a series of Tuesday Twilight strolls this summer at various regional parks. Martinez Shoreline will be the venue for an easy walk from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 10, led by Katie Colbert.

    It's

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    free. Meet at the first parking lot at the end of Ferry Street in Martinez. For information, call 510-544-3243.

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    Every Saturday night in July and August, there will be a campfire program at the campground in Del Valle Regional Park south of Livermore, and noncampers are welcome.

    All the programs are from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. except the one on Aug. 11, which is from 9 to 10 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please park by the campground store.

    Appropriately enough, the skill of fire making will be the theme for the July 7 program, featuring firestarter/naturalist Dino Labiste. On July 14, the topic is stargazing with Katie Colbert.

    Del Valle Regional Park is located at the end of Del Valle Road off Mines Road about nine miles south of Livermore. There's a parking fee of $6 per vehicle. The campfires are free. For more information on the programs, call 510-544-3249.

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    Naturalist Bob Kanagaki will lead a hunt for green aliens during a hike from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Antioch. Bob and the group will range the Somersville town site in search of the invaders.

    The program is free, intended for ages 7 and older. Black Diamond Mines is located at the end of Somersville Road, about four miles south of Highway 4 in Antioch. There's a parking fee of $5 per vehicle when the kiosk is staffed. Meet at the park's innermost parking lot. For more information, call 510-544-2750.

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    Here's a volunteer project that the entire family can enjoy while enhancing the environment at Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley.

    From 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, July 15, naturalist aide Morgan Evans will coordinate removal of invasive lemon balm plants from the Lower Packrat Trail. Invasive plants reproduce quickly and can displace native species. Tools will be provided.

    For more information, call Tilden's Environmental Education Center at 510-544-2233.

    Ned MacKay writes about East Bay Regional Park District sites and activities. Email him at nedmackay@comcast.net.