Want to have fun while giving back to Nature? Like to play in the dirt?

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 working to helping us expand the Farm’s impact by planting new plants into our growing fields, and weeding to protect them while they grow. Tools, knee pads and training will be provided. No experience needed!

Help us learn more about Moro Canyon’s ecosystem at Field Science Saturday on Feb. 13 from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Become a citizen scientist as we study leaf litter microbes, restoration and herbivory, and fuel moisture levels. This month we will also be participating in the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Great Backyard Bird Count, to help create a global snapshot of the world’s bird populations. Meet at the Berns Environmental Study Loop amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight  School-State Park follow the signs to the Campground/Moro day use). Day-use fee of $15 per vehicle.

Love birds, but need help with identification?  Join Crystal Cove State Park birders on a guided winter bird walk on both the inland and coastal areas of the park on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 8:30 am.  Meet at the Berns Amphitheatre (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow signs towards the campground.)

$15 day use fee

Start your morning off by warming up along the Mesa Loop in the beautiful Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park. Travel through a shaded oak woodland grove, smelling the sweet sage fragrances of the coastal sagebrush, and enjoy the vista of the canyons when you reach the top of the mesa. We will have a chance to stretch our morning legs and wake up with the canyon as we leisurely travel along the trails. This hike is great for families and adults interested in hiking about 3 miles at a slower pace.

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

Ride through historic Weir Canyon and reflect on Orange County’s rich history of transportation trails in this area. This trail is part of the storied trail route that oxen teams traveled on during the 1800s carrying hides to market in San Juan Capistrano. Weir Canyon is home to the largest and healthiest oak woodlands in the county, along with an abundance of rare habitats and wildlife. Enjoy the deep canyons, steep hillsides and great swaths of grasslands, and deep canyons.

You will need to transport your own fit horse to the staging area. Equestrians with trail riding experience, a fit and able horse, and the ability to trailer to the staging area are welcome to join the ride. Owners of unshod horses, please note that footing may include areas of gravel and pavement.

Please review the Difficulty Ratings  before registering. Understanding the 1-through-5 ratings system will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.

The Newport Bay Conservancy offers a 2-hour guided kayak tour of the Back Bay in the heart of Newport Beach every Saturday. 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.

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.

Ready for a workout, but not sure where to start? Join us for a fitness-focused hike in Weir Canyon. Along the trail, you’ll pass through coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands. The 5 to 5.5 mile hike is conducted at about 3 miles per hour over mainly level trails with opportunity to do one hill with elevation gain of approx. 450 ft.

Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water!

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

Led by Sea & Sage Audubon Society in partnership with the Irvine Ranch Water District, this free monthly bird walk is a great way to learn more about the wonderful world of birds. Discover a diversity of birds with expert birders like Chris Obaditch as you explore the freshwater ponds, San Diego Creek, butterfly garden, and riparian areas of the beautiful 300 acre San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary in Irvine. In winter, you will look for wintering ducks and shorebirds in the shallow ponds, watch egrets and herons stalking the edges of the deep ponds, listen to the sound of White-crowned Sparrows, and look up for raptors such as Osprey, Red-tailed Hawk, and Northern Harrier.

Come out and explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in your backyard! This scenic loop hike will involve a few steep climbs with a net gain of about 1000′ but you will be rewarded with sweeping views of the northeastern edge of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. On clear days you can even see Catalina Island and beyond Orange County into the Los Angeles Basin.

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

Join us in beautiful Limestone Canyon on this docent-led mountain bike ride beneath a canopy of coastal live oaks up to beautiful vistas and the viewing deck of The Sinks. This is a slow-paced ride designed for the intermediate rider who is in excellent cardio shape and physically fit, and who has experience and skills, but sometimes needs to move slower in more technical areas with steep descents/ascents. Riders must have a minimum of one year of mountain bike experience. It is very strenuous with difficult terrain and intended as a “hike-a-bike” ride.

If you are very physically fit and in excellent cardio shape, you won’t want to miss out!​
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Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Join Preserve staff and other volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup and Butterfly Garden maintenance. No experience is necessary; please bring hat, sunscreen, etc. Water, snacks and tools are provided.
•Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
•Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.
•Rain or heat advisories cancels event.

Love nature? Why not take your valentine on a hike to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Sunday, Feb. 14, at 9 a.m.? Join a park naturalist at Crystal Cove State Park to learn about the plants and animals living in the park. Meet at the Berns Amphitheater (PCH inland at stoplight School-State Park, follow the signs to the Campground/Moro day use). $15 day-use fee.

Come visit the Office of Natural Resources, Recreation and Senior Services Department at the City of Newport Beach at the Back Bay Science Center (located at 600 Shellmaker Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660) every Sunday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM to experience the beauty of Upper Newport Bay while browsing a research and education facility! Explore tidepool touch tanks, observe coastal bay and estuary birds, or examine some biofacts in the Teaching Lab. No reservations are required for this free event and it is open to all ages. For any questions, please contact marineeducation@newportbeachca.gov.

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.

For families and children ages 12 and up who would like to join IRC-certified volunteers on a longer slow-paced, family-oriented ride through sycamores, oaks, and habitat native to California. The route takes us to The Sinks, Orange County’s own “Grand Canyon.”Along the way, we will stop and talk about the local habitat, and hope to see some of our local native animals and raptors. The ride is 8 – 9 miles with 400 – 800 feet of elevation gain that may require hike-a‐bike for some riders.

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

The trail is a wide dirt fire road with natural hazards like sand, tree roots, ruts, rocks, dry creek crossings, and small hills. We will ride at the slowest rider’s pace, with numerous stops for resting, regrouping and/or interpretation.

Some trail side bike repair knowledge is appreciated. Allow 2 – 2.5 hours of riding time.To be able to ride with the group six months of trail experience is required. Riders need to have ridden in areas such as Peter’s Canyon, Chino Hills Telegraph Canyon, El Moro Canyon, and Aliso Woods. Riders must be able to ride/walk 10 miles on gradual uphill and downhill terrain. Riders must have their own mountain bike, helmet, 100 oz of water, and snacks. Parents, your child must be able to ride their own bike. Children’s bikes must have front shocks and 20 inch or larger knobby wheels. Please consider that this ride may be difficult for your child. Bring spare tubes for your child’s bikes as well as enough water and snacks for your family. Appropriate mountain bikes have knobby tires, multiple low gears and a front shock. Please do not bring road bikes, beach cruisers, BMX bikes, or attachments to your bike.

Explore the magnificent diversity of native flora and fauna in the Buck Gully Reserve on this interpretive walk. This will be a slow paced hike, traversing the lower half of Buck Gully. We will be shuttled to Canyon Watch Park from the Oasis Senior Center and hike from the park back to the Oasis center. The route will be mostly downhill, with a few short, steep sections. (Note: Due to the President’s Day holiday, the shuttle service from Oasis will not be available. The hike route will be modified to accommodate this change in programming.) We will hike from the Oasis Senior Center to the Reserve’s southwest entry, then along the lower half of the canyon, turning back after approximately one mile. We’ll cross the stream several times and be under the canopy of a beautiful and diverse riparian community. Suggested are sturdy shoes, sunscreen, water, and binoculars if you have them.

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 every Monday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the summer, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down.

The hike is conducted at about 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level.  Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour.  Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes.  Trail shoes are fine, but not required.  Please bring adequate water!

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

After spending time restoring native habitats, the group will take a short ride to see The Sinks, a spectacular geological formation in Limestone Canyon.

No experience is necessary other than a desire to explore and care for our open space. Participants will engage in plant identification, removal of invasive weeds, and planting native plants. Simple tools will be provided for you as required. Sturdy footwear is recommended for walking on uneven terrain, kneeling, bending, and gardening in the wilderness.

This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.  From our conveniently located Portola staging area, come venture out for something big each month, adopt Agua Chinon!

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

Join us for a morning in City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve working with Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff to improve some of Shady Canyon’s single track trails. Our main objective will be to repair drainage structures but we may also trim trailside vegetation. This work will help keep the trails sustainable for the surrounding habitat and enjoyable for users.

The day’s program will include a 3 mile round trip hike on some of Irvine’s finest single track trails. No previous trail work experience necessary … just the desire to work outdoors and get dirty!

Tools, gloves & light snacks will be provided. Please wear sturdy work shoes or boots, long pants, sun protection, & a hat. A small back pack is handy to carry water, gloves & snacks.