The activities below are offered by a variety of organizations and their dedicated volunteers. All programs are FREE unless noted below. Programs led by IRC-Certified Volunteers require pre-registration, which closes at 4 p.m. on the day prior to the event. No walk-up registrations will be permitted for these events. For policies of other organizations, please use the sign-up information provided. For mobility device policies click here.
Note: Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for these events. For programs requiring online registration, each adult and child must be registered. |
Need help? For the fastest answers, look for organization-specific contact information in each event listing (click More Information for full listing). If no contact information is listed, email info@irconservancy.org for assistance.
Click here to learn more about IRC-Certified Volunteers. • Click here to learn more about the Difficulty Ratings.
Search & Filter Activities
Sunday, November 6, 2016
Native Plant Nursery at Quail Hill
Please join us at the Community Stewardship Native Plant Nursery located at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine. This month, help us to propagate native grassland plant species by planting seeds into containers. We will be working within the nursery compound off of the trailhead parking lot. This is a unique opportunity to help start native plants right at the same location they will be planted. Your work at the nursery will help to enhance the native habitat – directly benefiting the local wildlife!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed, get a dose of Nature, and learn about the plants around you, all at once! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush. Check here for details on the difficultly rating of this Level 1 Stewardship activity.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
Second Thursday Habitat Restoration in Newport Bay
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like seeding native plants and weeding can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Newport Bay and Big Canyon. All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Note that this activity is held on the 2nd Thursday of each month.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed, get a dose of Nature, and learn about the plants around you, all at once! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush. Check here for details on the difficultly rating of this Level 1 Stewardship activity.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Be a Steward to Santiago Creek!
Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy Land Stewards in hunting down and removing invasive woody plants like castor bean, tree tobacco, tamarisk, and Spanish broom from Santiago Creek. These plants invade stream beds and take water and space from native plants and wildlife. Volunteers have helped to restore Santiago Creek by removing most of these weeds over the last years. But we need to return every year to make sure that they don’t come back! We will be working in rocky stream beds and on uneven terrain and will use various tools to extract and treat plants. Wear sturdy shoes, sun protection and be ready for some serious searching and vigorous work, depending on how many weeds we find. Training, tools, gloves, and chaps will be provided. Activity will involve bending, stooping, kneeling, and pulling.
Native Plant Nursery at Augustine Staging Area
Please join us at the Native Plant Nursery located at the Augustine Staging Area. This is a unique opportunity to help propagate coastal sage scrub plant species. All work at the nursery is community-driven, and the plants grown will help to enhance the native habitat within Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve! This month, help us to grow native California sagebrush and buckwheat by planting the small seeds into containers. We will be working in the shade of the nursery located in close proximity to the parking area.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Second Sunday Restoration Program
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, snacks, etc. Water 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.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Native Plant Nursery at Quail Hill
Please join us at the Community Stewardship Native Plant Nursery located at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine. This month, help us to propagate native grassland plant species by planting seeds into containers. We will be working within the nursery compound off of the trailhead parking lot. This is a unique opportunity to help start native plants right at the same location they will be planted. Your work at the nursery will help to enhance the native habitat – directly benefiting the local wildlife!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed, get a dose of Nature, and learn about the plants around you, all at once! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush. Check here for details on the difficultly rating of this Level 1 Stewardship activity.
Friday, November 18, 2016
Be a Friend to the Cactus Wren
The cactus wren need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like seeding and watering native plants can greatly improve habitat for this threatened bird and other wildlife. You can be part of this positive impact while enjoying the scenery along Mule Deer Trail in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. This activity takes place on sloped terrain and sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Rattlesnakes are occasionally seen here and generally avoid people, but protective gear will be provided. Note that this activity is held on the 3rd Friday of each month.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Keep it Wild – Laguna Coast Wilderness
Come on out and help restore the wild lands we so enjoy! There’s no better way to start a Saturday morning than by joining Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in an invigorating project of non-native plant removal and/or planting native plants. Help us make a healthier environment for the native wildlife and for ourselves. 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!
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed, get a dose of Nature, and learn about the plants around you, all at once! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush. Check here for details on the difficultly rating of this Level 1 Stewardship activity.
Sunday, November 20, 2016
3rd Sunday Restoration Day at Peters Canyon Regional Park
Help improve native habitat at Peters Canyon Regional Park by remove non-native invasive plants, which steal light, water and nutrients from native species. Please bring sunscreen, drinking water, light snacks, and gloves, and wear a hat and closed-toe shoes.
Nursery Plant Propagation and Care Day
Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation in partnership with OC Parks. Join us at our 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 plan containers, and/or help maintain the facilities for the plants. Gain hands-on experience with habitat restoration while working alongside other zany and interesting plant lovers! Online reservations required are: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. For questions, call 949-497-8324.
Santiago Oaks Stewardship
Leave your park better than you found it! Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff during monthly habitat stewardship activities at Santiago Oaks Regional Park, aimed at keeping the park’s habitat healthy. Identified in collaboration with the Park Rangers that patrol the trails everyday, stewardship projects can include planting to combat the effects of hiking, biking and riding off-trail, removing invasive plant species that threaten to crowd out the diversity of native plants, and more!
No previous experience is needed, however please note that we may be hiking up steep trails.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.
Monday, November 21, 2016
CANCELLED: Tecate Cypress Stewardship
The Tecate Cypress is a rare species found only in southern California and northern Baja California. Unfortunately, the northern most population in the Santa Ana Mountains is in severe decline due to too-frequent wildfires. In effort to protect this rare species, locally genetic trees have been planted in Fremont Canyon, in close proximity to the staging area. Join us as we deeply water and weed around the young trees. Your work will ensure the newly-planted Tecate has all they need to thrive, and will directly help the effort to ensure the persistence of this unique forest community here in Orange County!
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-2 activity on the land.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
CANCELLED: 4th Tuesday Habitat Restoration at Quail Hill
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like seeding native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact! All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Note that this activity is held on the 4th Tuesday of each month.
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-3 activity on the land.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
It’s Harvest Time! Collect Wildflower Seeds at the Native Seed Farm
Do a good deed, get a dose of Nature, and learn about the plants around you, all at once! Come experience the cool mornings and the spicy aromas of a California autumn while working with us at our one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Absolutely no experience or special equipment required.
You will be harvesting seeds from robust native fall wildflowers and bushes— things like California Buckwheat and our iconic Sagebrush. Check here for details on the difficultly rating of this Level 1 Stewardship activity.
Irvine Regional Park Stewardship Day
Come join us to enhance Irvine Regional Park by removing Russian Thistle, and help restore native habitat for local wildlife. Russian Thistle is invasive and competes with native plants for soil, nutrients and water further degrading the ecological health of important plant communities.
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Weekend Patrol at Irvine Regional Park
Requesting assistance from Ranger Reserves for weekend patrol. Ranger Reserves will assist with patrolling the park, advising for codified ordinance violations, traffic/parking control, and making public contacts.
Half-day and Full-day shifts are available.
Please contact Maura Hay (maura.hay@ocparks.com) and confirm which shift you would like to volunteer for.