Fossils, bugs, critters and more at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has announced its February program schedule. For more information on any of these programs, visit www.nhm.org.

•The museum stays open late the first Friday of every month. From 5:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 there will be a tour of the Ralph S. Parsons Discovery Center and Insect Zoo, a discussion with Dr. Caitlin O'ConnellRodwell on elephant communication methods, and performances by hiphop artists Kid Sister and A-Trak. For more information, visit www.nhm.org/firstfridays.

•The first of two programs taking place on Saturday, Feb. 2 is "Collecting Fossils on the Roof of the World." Dr. Xiaoming Wang will talk about collecting vertebrate fossils in the Tibetan Plateau. The program lasts from 1 to 2 p.m.

At 7 p.m., Carlos Cuevas' jazz trio will play a show. Tickets cost $20 for members, $25 for nonmembers. For ticket availability, call (661) 254-4584.

•The Natural History Museum and Conservation International will present "Indigenous People and Conservation," 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 3. Kristin Walker Painemilla will speak about building a common agenda among indigenous people, and Susan Stone will discuss Conservation International's work with the WaiWai community in Guyana.

•The museum will host a twoday camping trip to Joshua Tree National Park beginning at noon Saturday, Feb. 9. Participants must provide their own transportation, camping gear and meals. Reservations are required. For more information, call (213) 763-3348.

•A critter club for 3 to 5yearolds will take place from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9. At the meeting, children will meet some noisy animals and get to make a ruckus of their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (213) 763-ED4U (3348).

•Two programs will take place on Sunday, Feb. 10. The first, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., highlights the courting rituals of various animals and insects. There will be family friendly crafts and activities.

From 1 to 2 p.m., Malacology Collections Manager Lindsey Groves will discuss Late Cretacious fossil assemblages found at a popular collecting site near Silverado Canyon in the Santa Ana Mountains.

•Join the museum for a family fun day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16. The theme of the day will be "Above Your Head and Below Your Feet," with activities about geology and astronomy. Attendees will have a chance to learn about Mars in the museum's Skymobile.

•Six to 8yearolds are invited to the museum's Junior Scientist program 10:15 to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Participants will learn about minerals in several forms, from food to blood. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call (213) 763-3272.