Soap weed is in bloom at the 162 acre Van Hoosear Wildflower Preserve at the base of Sonoma Mountain in Sonoma (FILE: Kent Porter / The Press Democrat)

Passing this along from the Sonoma County Regional Parks:

“Each spring, Regional Park volunteers lead a series of free wildflower walks in parks throughout Sonoma County. The first walk of 2013 is scheduled for March 23 at Sonoma Valley Regional Park in Glen Ellen, with additional hikes planned in other parks on the following four Saturdays. Master Gardener Phil Dean, who has led nature walks in the county for nearly a decade, will identify and talk about the various flowers brightening the park this spring. Dean will share guide duties with wildflower expert Liz Landreth, another veteran of Regional Parks’ spring walks.

• March 23 – Sonoma Valley Regional Park – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. This walk follows a paved, ADA-accessible trail. Participants should meet in the Highway 12 parking lot.

• April 6 – Foothill Regional Park, Windsor – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• April 13 – Steelhead Beach, Forestville – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• April 20 – Shiloh Ranch Regional Park, Windsor – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

• April 27 – Hood Mountain Regional Park, Kenwood – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is a strenuous, 8-mile roundtrip hike starting from the Pythian Road parking lot.

No registration is necessary. Walkers should

bring their own water and dress appropriately for the day’s weather. Hood Mountain hikers should bring a lunch. Heavy rain cancels all hikes.

For more information, contact Regional Parks at 707-565-2041 or visit sonomacountyparks.org. Regional Parks’ wildflower walks are part of the annual iWalk Challenge.”