Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced, early morning cardio hike in Limestone Canyon. Along the way we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings. We will visit the back side of the Sinks to gain beautiful vistas of Agua Chinon and beyond. This is a 13.5 mile cardio hike, completed in 3 hours, includes a 2000+ foot elevation change. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents.

There is one scheduled rest stop at the East Sinks Viewing Deck on this approximately  13.5  mile cardio hike, and the average four (4) mile per hour fast-paced and is extremely difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land.

Join us for a challenging and beautiful adventure as we hike to the Hangman’s Tree Monument on Loma Ridge. Hike distance is 6 miles and affords fantastic views along the way, spanning the Pacific coastline, San Gabriel peaks and the Santa Ana Mountains. Several very steep climbs and descents are part of this route. We’ll accumulate almost 1800 feet of climbing elevation along this route.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Are you a nature lover, hiker, gardener, or just need to get outside to refresh yourself? Does the idea of adopting a canyon across four seasons and being part of a longer term project interest you? Please come help Irvine Ranch Conservancy restore local habitat, native plants, and wildlife so they may thrive in the canyon of Agua Chinon. No experience is necessary other than a desire to explore and care for our open space. Participants may engage in plant identification, removal of invasive weeds, and planting native plants.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.

Dive into the amazing array of color of the canyons on the Art on the Landmarks program. Bring along your paints, pens, pencils or pastels to create your own creation of the beautiful scenery around you. We will travel to an ideal location that meets the group’s needs for inspiration. Then, settle in and create your own masterpiece! Be prepared to drive in a safari type vehicle. Space will be limited for your materials.
Art supplies nor art instruction are included so please come with your own materials and your keen eye for creation!

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

Join the Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks for a morning of invigorating habitat restoration work in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Help us create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year volunteers will assist with various restoration activities.including removal of non-native plants, seed collection and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided.  Please wear closed toe shoes, sun protection and bring water. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy! Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405). Online reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. For questions call: 949-497-8324. Parking: Free for Keep-It-Wild volunteers!

Join us for a docent-led mountain bike ride through the Irvine Open Space Preserve. This moderate-paced mountain bike tour through the picturesque hills of Bommer and Shady Canyons includes a combination of ranch roads and multiple intermediate and advanced level technical single-track trails, with many steep climbs and descents. Over 2700 feet of accumulated climbing elevation is experienced on this route.

Please note, this program is an intermediate-to-advanced ride featuring only a few short rest stops, steep climbs and rocky descents. It requires above average fitness and mountain biking skills, and a mountain bike with a minimum of front suspension.

Could use a boost of  living colors? Looking for a way to give back to Nature?

Then sign up to help behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine!  You will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native spring wildflowers, like California Poppies and Arroyo Lupines. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required!

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 1 activity.

Led by Newport Bay Conservancy Naturalists on behalf of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, join a highly informative themed plant and bird program. A short walk in an area where several habitats meet, provide a great introduction for those interested in identifying the birds and plants they see at the Bay. If a particular theme is not stated, the Naturalist will discuss items of special interest encountered by the group along the way, such as a bird in breeding plumage or a rare plant that is flowering at the time. Bring binoculars if you have them. There is no charge for the program, but reservations are requested. Please call 949-923-2269 for more information, directions, and to RSVP.

The Newport Bay Conservancy offers a 2-hour guided kayak tour of the Back Bay in the heart of Newport Beach every Sunday. This is one of the best ways to appreciate Upper Newport Bay by getting out on the water. Kayaking in the Newport Beach Back Bay is fun and easy. Tours leaves from the Newport Aquatic Center at 10:00 am. They are great for both novices and experiences paddlers alike.

In partnership with OC Parks, join Newport Bay Conservancy for an easy hike for all ages. Families will learn about the Bay and the trails around it. The hike will start on the patio and will last only an hour — dependent on weather — and will be on both paved and dirt trails. No formal program, as it’s a great introduction to the Bay and a Naturalist will talk about whatever you discover along the way. RSVP by calling 949-923-2269 or emailing info@newportbay.org.

Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation in partnership with OC Parks. Step back 25 million years in Orange County’s history to a time when the seas receded and the San Andreas Fault was just starting to form. With a Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteer naturalist, discover the geologic processes going on today and how they affect the natural landscape. This moderate 3-mile hike is over uneven, steep and sometimes rocky terrain with a 300-ft elevation gain. For ages 10 and up. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; and make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.) Parking: $3. Online reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities.

Enjoy an early evening family hike in Agua Chinon, part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. We hike a gradual climb of 500 ft elevation of  as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer.  This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. The hike will average 3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation.

This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced gradual climb hike. Hikers should be in good health able to do a beginning hike over a variety of terrains. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water for the hike. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of early evening.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

Join us for this evening program as we explore biodiversity at the local level with that most diverse group of organisms, the insects! Taking advantage of the fact that UV light is highly visible to most insects, we will attract them by using black-lights (low energy/low frequency UV lights). We can then examine them up close, record the different types (and their numbers). Don’t forget your camera as you’ll see creatures that are normally buzzing around, but not highly visible. You will be able to help us document what we find.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Note: No hiking is involved with this program. We will remain in the staging area.