Join us at our beautiful Native Seed Farm for an all-levels Vinyasa yoga class. This one-hour outdoor yoga class will incorporate both static posture holds and a dynamic sequence of asanas, flowing from one pose to the next, while connecting breath with movement. The practice will include options for modifications, proper alignments and breathing techniques. Increase balance, flexibility, strength, and mental clarity while reducing tension and stress.

Please bring water, a yoga mat, a large towel (optional) to place under your mat, wear athletic clothing, and bring appropriate clothing layers and sun protection for the weather.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Join us on this early morning hike enjoying beautiful Weir Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Starting in Irvine Regional Park, we pass through Lower and Upper Weir Canyon to a scenic overlook. We then head down Upper Blind Canyon as we wind our way back to our starting point.  This hike is around 9.5 miles with one significant climb and descent.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Winter? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

At the Native Seed Farm, it is crucial to collect a variety of genetic material from different individuals within a plant species, so that an array of characteristics (flowering/seed times, size, tolerance to sun, and many more factors) are represented when incorporating it into IRC’s restoration projects. Although the Irvine Ranch Open Spaces are well loved and used by the community, they are some of the most under-documented open space areas in Orange County. For future seed collection efforts, it is crucial to document location data for populations so that we determine accurate identifications for hard-to-determine species, have current location data, and know the best time for collection. When seed collection season starts in the summer, it can be difficult to know exactly where some populations are due to many perennial plants going dormant or annual plants dying out. 

To assist with providing new genetic material, Plant Materials staff are asking for volunteers passionate about native plant identification to help record populations in under-documented areas within the the Irvine Ranch Open Space. No prior plant documentation or identification is required, but a smart phone or camera with GPS capability is heavily encouraged. All observations will be uploaded into IRC’s group Calflora account to help staff with assessing collection areas for the seed collecting season. 

Due to recent rain, the City of Newport Beach has asked IRC to assess its seven-day access trail system. The purpose of this is to evaluate trails and report on conditions for public access before the busy holiday week.

This hike is for Buck Gully Reserve, which is one of the seven-day access trails.

A minimum of one Trail Guide may register. If more register, they should go on the assessment together. (We don’t actually need a certified “Docent/Lead” to sign up to do this; it can be one or more Trail Guides.) Activity time can be determined by the volunteer(s) but must be within the regular “open” hours for the trail system.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Newport Beach] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy and safe.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to IRC Activity Operations.

The Gold Spotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is an introduced non-native invasive beetle that is greatly impacting our native oak species. IRC is working to enhance and protect our oak woodland habitat by monitoring oaks throughout the landmarks in some of our major canyon bottoms. Join our annual GSOB monitoring efforts and help protect the oak woodlands on the Irvine Ranch Landmarks.

GSOB Monitoring- Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of Gold Spotted Oak Borer infestations in oak trees, as well as survey techniques for detecting GSOB. Using a mobile data collection app, participants will locate known infested trees, inspect trunks for GSOB specific exit holes, identify and mark the holes, and update the data collection form for each surveyed tree. More information will be given at the training for future monitoring activities.

Join OC Park Naturalists for a Little Explorers hike! Bring your little ones (ages 3-6) on a 1.5-mile hike along Canyon Trail at the James Dilley Preserve. While hiking, we will explore and search for interesting bugs, plants, tracks, and more! This hike is relatively flat on sandy soil.

Age: 3-6 year-olds. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (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/car at James Dilley Preserve parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about the Newport Back Bay.

Our Wild Tales program is offered every Friday from 10:00-11:00am and includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

Advance registration is recommended. Program and parking are free.

Adverse weather conditions may move the program indoors or cancel it.

Explore the natural wonders and history of Irvine Regional Park by joining OC Parks staff for our new Junior Ranger program! Participants will have the opportunity to earn their very own junior ranger badge as we adventure through Irvine Regional Park together.

The program content is geared towards children aged 7-12, but all are welcome.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program. Bringing sunscreen, wearing sturdy footwear and bringing water are encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Advance registration is required.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Come join us for an interactive evening under the stars.  Immerse yourself in a scaled-down version of our solar system.  Test your imagination in naming the constellations.  Reenact the struggle between Orion and the Scorpion.  The hike will average 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a high level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would like a slower-paced hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike. This activity is designed with kids ages 5 – 12 in mind but, everyone is welcome.

Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and the hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep inclines. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter-mile. Participants must be in good physical condition and should be able to hike steep hills.

In recognition of World Wetlands Day, join us for a guided painting program to learn what a wetland is, the important roles that they serve, and how we can help protect them.

This fun and engaging program will include a brief wetlands talk, followed by a guided painting program. Each participant will paint and take home their own canvas.

No experience required! Participants should wear clothing that they don’t mind getting paint on. Art supplies will be provided.

Advance registration required.

**Due to trail closures, this hike is being rerouted. It will not be the full 16 mile loop but an out and back to “Mini Moab”. The hike will be shortened to 14 miles with 2900 feet of elevation gain.**

Join us for an extremely challenging and strenuous hiking adventure in the scenic Fremont Canyon Wilderness Area. This 16-mile loop hike is for experienced, physically fit distance hikers. The hike is on fire/SCE dirt roads with numerous significantly steep, unrelenting climbs and descents. We hike the entire rim of Fremont Canyon, passing by an abandoned coal mine, the Fremont Weather Station and the remnants of a rare stand of Tecate cypress. Along the way we’ll have sweeping views of Orange County, the Santa Ana Mountains and surrounding mountain ranges.

Join us at Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters’ native plant nursery as we care for native plants from their seed stage to their mature, ready-to-be planted stage. Volunteers may collect seeds, sow seeds in flats, bump plants up, plant at restoration sites, sterilize plant containers, and generally help maintain the nursery. Gain hands-on experience with habitat restoration while working alongside other zany and interesting plant lovers!

Age: 16 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters (10 Phillips St. Laguna Beach, CA 92651, West side of highway 133)

Parking: Free for Native Plant Nursery volunteers! Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and sun protection. Gloves and tools are provided.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or dulce@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

If you use the Wilderness Parks for hiking, biking, photography or just relaxing, Trail Work might be right up your alley! Get up close and personal with the trails you use; you’ll see them in a whole new way. No experience necessary. This is FUN hard work. Whatever your skill level is, there is a job to do: clearing drains to get the water off the trail, pruning vegetation back to keep users on the trail, moving dirt to rebuild eroded tread, and restoring impacted areas are just some of the tasks we will accomplish. We will be using tools such as loppers, picks, shovels, and McLeod’s to improve the user experience, protect the fragile habitat and increase the sustainability of our trails. Expect to hike up to 4 miles while carrying tools.  

Age: 16 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  

Location: Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters (10 Phillips St. Laguna Beach, CA 92651, East side of highway 133) 

Parking: Free parking for volunteers at LCF Headquarters. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged. 

Difficulty Rating: 3/5  

Materials: Participants must bring at least 3 liters of water, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and sun protection. Gloves and tools are provided. Feel free to bring your own gloves if you prefer! 

Safety precautions and protocols: 

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org 
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver. 
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill. 

Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org, craig@lagunacanyon.org, and nicholas@lagunacanyon.org with any questions. 

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event. 

Join Ranger Valentine and OC park volunteers with a trash clean-up day in Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park. Take a morning stroll along the trails while picking up litter to preserve this beautiful landscape!

Ages 10 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Difficulty Rating: 2/5. Trails vary in difficulty, please consider your capabilities, or notify staff of any considerations.

Materials will be provided. Please bring plenty of water, snacks, close-toed hiking shoes, and dress in layers.

Advanced registration is required. For any questions or concerns, please contact Ranger Valentine at jessica.valentine@ocparks.com

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to the cancellation of this event.

PRE-REGISTRATION is REQUIRED for this event. 

All participants are required to have, a printed copy or on their phone, the confirmation email to show through the window of their vehicle to drive through the entry gate.

You will need the confirmation email for you and your guests to enter the trail system.

Start your weekend off by exploring numerous opportunities found throughout magnificent Limestone Canyon. Designated trails will be open for self-guided trail use in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Trail routes vary in distance and level of difficulty with choices ranging from easy one-hour walks to strenuous 15-mile cardio treks. Whether traveling by feet or wheels, Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon is a treasure waiting to be discovered by hikers and mountain bikers alike.

Participants will want to plan their day successfully by using Trail Tips to prepare.

PRE-REGISTRATION is REQUIRED for this event. 

All participants are required to have, a printed copy or on their phone, the confirmation email to show through the window of their vehicle to drive through the entry gate.

You will need the confirmation email for you and your guests to enter the trail system.

Come experience Limestone Canyon’s beauty from the back of your horse. Designated trails will be open for self-guided access hiking, biking, and equestrian use during Wilderness Access Day in Limestone Canyon. Equestrian riders who have trail riding experience with a fit and able horse will enjoy the historic ranch roads of days gone by. Take in the awe-inspiring vistas from the mighty ridge tops and drink in the cool canyon shade through the oak grove.

There is limited space for equestrian parking. Riders must also have the ability to transport their horse to the staging area.

Join OC Parks for an intro to block printing!  Learn the basics of block printing by carving your very own nature inspired Valentine’s Day card.  Block printing results in bold, graphic designs that are as simple or complicated as you want. This is a great activity for beginners and experienced artists alike seeking to try something new!

Due to the types of tools being used, this program is recommended for visitors aged 10 and older.

Arts at the Oaks is a monthly program exploring the cultural and natural history of Orange County and beyond through hands-on creative expression.  Each month features a new artistic medium and topic to discover. No previous art experience is necessary and all are welcome to join and try something new!

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.  Children must be accompanied by a guardian.  The program will be held below the Santiago Oaks Regional Park nature center. 

Advance registration is required. 

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.