The National Park Service and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County will host the inaugural Santa Monica Mountains Science Festival from 7 to 10 p.m. Fri., April 16 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat., April 17 at Paramount Ranch in rural Agoura.

On Friday night, children and adults can watch bats fly at night, visit the black light station and discover which bugs come out after dark, listen to a storyteller, learn how to track mountain lions and bobcats, and identify wildflowers.

The Saturday program will offer a full day of hands-on activities. Participants should bring a picnic lunch.

The event and parking are free. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo/ sciencefestival.htm.