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
Wednesday, November 30, 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, December 1, 2016
Science Summary – Native Seed Farm Work
Volunteer Hour Summary for the Native Seed Farm not during a public stewardship. –
Mary Nolan:
Friday, December 2, 2016
First Friday Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Buck Gully near Newport Beach. 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.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
Sunday, December 4, 2016
Staff Santiago Oaks Nature Center
Allow Park Rangers to keep the beautiful Santiago Oaks Regional Park Nature Center open for public enjoyment. Volunteers will monitor visitors and keep attendance. Building is climate controlled. No experience is necessary.
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.
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Second Thursday Habitat Restoration in Newport Bay
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting 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, December 10, 2016
Adopt a Canyon – Agua Chinon Stewardship
Are you a nature lover, hiker, gardener, or just want to get outside and enjoy the fresh air? 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.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land.
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!
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, December 11, 2016
Second Sunday Restoration Program
Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and 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 ages 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.
- Rain or heat advisories cancel event.
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.
Tuesday, December 13, 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, December 14, 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.
Monthly Park Ranger Reserve Meeting
Monthly meeting to discuss topics, program updates, and training.
****Holiday Potluck****
Thursday, December 15, 2016
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 in the same the location they will be planted. 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.