Come see some amazing Orange County native wildflowers in bloom!

The Orange County Chapter of California Native Plant Society and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy invite you to an informal open house at the Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm. This event is a great way to see some blooms and learn more about how the OC California Native Plant Society (OC-CNPS) and the Conservancy are conserving, protecting, and restoring native wildflowers in Orange County.

You will  learn about some of the native flora grown right here on the Farm. OC-CNPS will also provide some talks on various local engagement opportunities, including information about field trips and their upcoming native garden tour.

Enjoy an early evening family hike in Black Star Canyon, part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. We will hike along a flat trail and cross a creek as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. The hike will average 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation.

This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced and level hike. 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.

Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.

The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.

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

Please join IRC staff and volunteers as we plant native shrubs along the new Waterworks Trail in Fremont! Spend the afternoon working under an oak woodland and coastal sage habitat. Your work on the trail will help establish important habitat in Fremont for local wildlife.

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

Want to have fun while giving back to nature? Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. You will be working to help expand the Farm’s impact for restoration of Orange County’s wildlands by planting new plants into our growing fields, weeding to protect them while they grow, and harvesting seed, depending on the season. Tools and training will be provided. You do not need experience, nor a green thumb, just excitement to give back to the land.

Please note our Minors Policy as noted on the letsgooutside.org website:  All minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. They must also (both parent and minor) be registered for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy led program they wish to attend.

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

Participants are required to come prepared by reviewing the Stewardship Tips in their confirmation email. Under-prepared participants may be turned away.

The Youth Action Team, an after school community-service based program throughout the City of Irvine regularly volunteers their time to steward the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This week, middle school students will spend their afternoon helping to enhance Limestone Canyon! Stewardship activities can include planting native species and weeding at the Augustine Staging Area, nursery work, watering and more. Please help lead this group and provide a wonderful experience they will never forget!

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

Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.

The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.

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

Enjoy an evening fitness hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike is done at your own pace as a walk, jog, or run (speed range typically 2.5 to 3.5 mph), so is suitable for beginners who are just starting their fitness program as well as more experienced hikers who are looking for a workout. This out-and-back program travels the 3.5 mile route to scenic Loma Ridge (450′ elevation gain) and back down, with most participants completing the route in about 1.5 hours. The hike is family-friendly, but children must be closely supervised by an adult and able to hike with the group, or be safely carried by a strong adult or secured in a jogging stroller. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

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

Are the regular cardio hikes a little too fast for you? If so, join us in beautiful Baker Canyon for this slower intro-to-cardio hike. 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.
Remember, even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is still faster than a walk. You must be able to hike the entire time without stopping. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition!

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

Remember, even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is still faster than a walk. You must be able to hike the entire time without stopping. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition!

Come out and join us on a breathtaking hike from the Irvine Open Space Preserve into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon. This week’s docent-led hike begins in the Agua Chinon wash, continues to The Sinks, and may include a side trip to Box Springs, a natural year-round source of fresh water.

Maximum distance is just short of 7 miles, with some sustained climbing in one section. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes. Remember to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and all other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

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

Want to have fun while giving back to nature? Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. You will be working to help expand the Farm’s impact for restoration of Orange County’s wildlands by planting new plants into our growing fields, weeding to protect them while they grow, and harvesting seed, depending on the season. Tools and training will be provided. You do not need experience, nor a green thumb, just excitement to give back to the land.

Please note our Minors Policy as noted on the letsgooutside.org website:  All minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. They must also (both parent and minor) be registered for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy led program they wish to attend.

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

Participants are required to come prepared by reviewing the Stewardship Tips in their confirmation email. Under-prepared participants may be turned away.

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.

If you are new to mountain biking and interested in getting started the right way, or if you just want to hone your existing skills developing terrain-influenced bike handling over several types of man-made features, this is the clinic for you!

Class begins with a brief overview of rider fundamentals starting with platform position and weight transfer then covering equipment basics & setup, braking, gearing and a brief bike maintenance Q&A session followed by a series of exercises demonstrating terrain-influenced bike handling over a variety of man-made features including log piles, rock step-ups, A-frames and many more. These riding techniques will be taught and practiced at the Mountain Bike Skills Development area and towards the end of the morning, participants will enjoy a short ride into Round Canyon to put their new skills to use then wrap up by discussing trail etiquette for bikes.

This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

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

Hiking combined with outdoor yoga adds a unique dimension to your fitness experience and yoga practice. YIKING allows the spirit to link with the natural environment. There will be instructor led yoga above the scenic Avocado Orchard with the West Loma Ridge rising along side. Views of the Pacific coastline peep through the trees at the landing (elevation gain 1640′) where we spread our mats and breathe deeply. The hike distance will be 6-7 miles, making your muscles more pliable, enhancing the yoga stretches. YIKING invokes a sense of harmony and flow, as you breathe deeply, refreshing your mind, body and spirit— all in a location with sweeping views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.

All participants must bring a yoga mat and carry it along on the hike to the hillside yoga site. Please wear clothes comfortable to stretch in. Hiking poles and sun protection are encouraged.

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

Please join IRC staff and volunteers as we plant native shrubs along the new Waterworks Trail in Fremont! Spend the afternoon working under an oak woodland and coastal sage habitat. Your work on the trail will help establish important habitat in Fremont for local wildlife.

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

Be a part of the effort to restore the oak woodlands in Weir Canyon that have been impacted by invasive wood-boring beetles and the recent Canyon 2 fire. This is a unique opportunity to see the impacts of the fire and beetle management and to contribute to IRC’s efforts to ensure long-term health of this special habitat.

Work will include removing grass from tree tubes and checking for acorn germination -or- assembling devices with PVC tubes to capture the tracks of small mammals followed by some low-impact hiking in Weir Canyon. All necessary field equipment and gloves will be provided. Meet at Lot 3 in Irvine Regional Park at least 15 minutes before the start time. Transportation will be provided to the work site (approximately a 20-minute drive). We will return to the parking lot no later than the end time indicated.

All participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and bring water for themselves.

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

Come out and enjoy the evening with us on the Orchard Hills loop trail. This trail meanders around an avocado orchard on the edge of the open space preserve and provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline.

The three-mile loop has several very steep climbs, but the hike is done at a moderate pace. The effort is rewarded with a beautiful, unobstructed view to the west. Please bring water and wear sturdy shoes. This hike is not suitable for children under 12.

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

Want to have fun while giving back to nature? Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. You will be working to help expand the Farm’s impact for restoration of Orange County’s wildlands by planting new plants into our growing fields, weeding to protect them while they grow, and harvesting seed, depending on the season. Tools and training will be provided. You do not need experience, nor a green thumb, just excitement to give back to the land.

Please note our Minors Policy as noted on the letsgooutside.org website:  All minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. They must also (both parent and minor) be registered for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy led program they wish to attend.

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

Participants are required to come prepared by reviewing the Stewardship Tips in their confirmation email. Under-prepared participants may be turned away.

This week in the Irvine Ranch Open Space, we’ll hike in Limestone Canyon to Dripping Springs. The hike is 7-mile loop hike which includes some hills and descents. In addition to the springs, we will enjoy panoramic views of the wildlands from East Loma. Please bring water, a trail snack, sun screen, hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, and wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking boots.

Participants must be able to hike 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1300 feet at an average moving rate of 3 miles per hour. Each hiker must carry his/her own water and supplies. Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-4 activity on the land.

Highly experienced mountain bikers can explore one of the most rugged and remote areas of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks from the trails of Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve on this fast-paced advanced ride.  Fremont Canyon remains one of the most wild places in Orange County, with a diversity of rare plants and animals, and this ride includes natural trail hazards such as sand, tree roots, ruts, and exposed rocks.  PLEASE NOTE: there are multiple very steep climbs, with an approximate elevation gain of 3,500 feet over 19 miles.  This hard ride is for expert adult-only riders in excellent physical condition who will be rewarded with the remote wonders of Fremont Canyon.

Please review the Difficulty Ratings to help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land. Electric Mountain Bikes of any class or type are not permitted.