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 remove the deer fencing and wooden stakes that were put in place to protect the trees during their young growth phase.

Please be aware that you may be instructed to use tools for this activity such as; but not limited to, pliers, mallets, trowels and shovels.

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

Summary of Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.

11/1 = 2.0 hours

11/2 = 1.5 hours

11/10 = 2.5 hours

11/20 = 1 hour

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.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks at one of our habitat restoration stewardship events in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided.  Please wear long pants, close toed shoes and sun protection and bring water. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy! James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road, make U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right). Youth ages 16 and 17 are eligible to volunteer with parent permission. A form is required to be signed by their parent or guardian prior to starting the volunteer activities. Youth under the age of 16 are not eligible to volunteer unless accompanied by an adult or guardian. On line reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Forms available on this webpage as well. For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: Free for Keep It Wild volunteers!

Connect with nature and give back to the land as we assist native plants and wildlife flourish in an extremely sensitive area of Limestone Canyon Preserve. You will ride through the canyon in a safari-type vehicle to the Dripping Springs Trail where you may water or add native plants. In addition we will give existing native plants room to thrive as we weed out invasive plants. As a bonus we will hike approximately 2 miles round-trip to Dripping Springs; a fern-covered rock face dripping with life-giving water creating an essential watering hole for wildlife in the canyon. Your work along this trail will not only benefit the plants and animals, but you will be supporting its continued beautification and protection.

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 3 activity. The hike is a Level 2 Difficulty Rating.

IRC Farm Stewards are invited to help out at this “openhouse style” workday!

We will be at the Lab in the Office pulling out bags and weighing out the seed that will be used this year on the restoration sites!

(Not a Farm Steward yet? To get started on becoming one, check out “Trainings” under the Activities category drop-down menu, and get signed up for the next quarterly Farm Intro Training!)

Summary of Volunteer Only Hours for stewardship work performed.

If you use the wilderness park for hiking, biking, photography or just relaxing, Trail Stewardship will be right up your alley! Get up close and personal with the trail you use; you’ll see the trails 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 of brush; building “gargoyles” to better define the trail; moving dirt or building an in-slope turn. We will be using tools such as loppers, picks, shovels and McLeods to restore features that protect the trail and/or build new features to improve trail sustainability. Remember: let’s keep users ON the trail and water OFF the trail to prevent fragmentation of our precious wilderness. Refreshments will be served. Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Bring plenty of water. Refreshments served. Trail to be determined closer to event and notification will be sent to those signed up (sign up required). www.lagunacanyon.org.activities. For questions call 949-497-8324

Come get your hands dirty and learn about the restoration process. Please join IRC staff and volunteers in helping restore degraded habitat to pristine habitat in Bommer Canyon, once home to a working cattle ranch. Habitat restoration is important for returning native wildlife and plant species to an area as well as improving ecosystem processes. Just think of the pride you will enjoy when you see the thriving natives over the coming years…. that you directly helped!

No previous experience is needed. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and preferably wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Participants must also bring their own water as well as wear sunscreen and hats. Thank you for your continued support of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

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

Invading weeds degrade habitat for birds and other wildlife. Help us keep wildlife healthy by weeding artichoke thistle from the Quail Hill loop in Irvine. This activity takes place on uneven 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-4 activity on the land.

Please join us at the Native Plant Nursery located at the Augustine Staging Area. This is a unique opportunity to help seed native plants species in small containers, and water the newly planted native shrubs. Your help will help to enhance native habitat within Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve! We will be working 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.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks at one of our habitat restoration stewardship events in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided. Please wear long pants, close toed shoes and sun protection and bring water. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy! Big Bend Staging Area (west side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, approximately 1 miles south of El Toro Rd.). Youth ages 16 and 17 are eligible to volunteer with parent permission. A form is required to be signed by their parent or guardian prior to starting the volunteer activities. Youth under the age of 16 are not eligible to volunteer unless accompanied by an adult or guardian. On line reservations required: lagunacanyon.org/activitiesForms available on this webpage as well.

For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: Free for Keep It Wild volunteers!

Come get your hands dirty and learn about the restoration process. Please join IRC staff and volunteers in helping restore degraded habitat to pristine habitat in Bommer Canyon, once home to a working cattle ranch. Habitat restoration is important for returning native wildlife and plant species to an area as well as improving ecosystem processes. Just think of the pride you will enjoy when you see the thriving natives over the coming years…. that you directly helped!

No previous experience is needed. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes and preferably wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Participants must also bring their own water as well as wear sunscreen and hats. Thank you for your continued support of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

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

Please join us at the Community Stewardship Native Plant Nursery located at the Quail Hill Trailhead in Irvine. Help us to water native shrubs, as well as to seed native plants and plant cactus into 1 gallons pots. Your work at the nursery will help enhance the native habitat and directly benefit the local wildlife!

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, High school students will spend their morning 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.

Please join us as we enhance habitat adjacent to the west viewing deck at the Sinks in Limestone Canyon. This area is characterized by beautiful geological formations that resemble a mini Grand Canyon. Volunteers will travel for approximately 20 minutes in an open air safari style truck to the project site. The morning will be spent planting and watering native shrubs using shovels and other tools, and will include a 30 minute hike.

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

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.

Join Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks at one of our habitat restoration stewardship events in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park as we learn and work together to create a healthier habitat for the native plants and wildlife that call the canyon their home. Depending on the time of year, volunteers will assist with various stewardship activities, including removal of non-native plants, seed collection, and/or planting of native plants. No experience is necessary and all tools will be provided.  Please wear long pants, close toed shoes and sun protection and bring water. Come out and join the team to help restore the wild lands we all enjoy! James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road, make U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right). Youth ages 16 and 17 are eligible to volunteer with parent permission. A form is required to be signed by their parent or guardian prior to starting the volunteer activities. Youth under the age of 16 are not eligible to volunteer unless accompanied by an adult or guardian. On line reservations required: www.lagunacanyon.org/activities. Forms available on this webpage as well. For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: Free for Keep It Wild volunteers!

Connect with nature and give back to the land as we assist native plants and wildlife flourish in an extremely sensitive area of Limestone Canyon Preserve. You will ride through the canyon in a safari-type vehicle to the Dripping Springs Trail where you may water or add native plants. In addition we will give existing native plants room to thrive as we weed out invasive plants. As a bonus we will hike approximately 2 miles round-trip to Dripping Springs; a fern-covered rock face dripping with life-giving water creating an essential watering hole for wildlife in the canyon. Your work along this trail will not only benefit the plants and animals, but you will be supporting its continued beautification and protection.

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 3 activity. The hike is a Level 2 Difficulty Rating.

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.