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
Thursday, September 19, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: Pulling Together at Quail Hill
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.
Thursday, September 26, 2019
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
Bommer Canyon Habitat Restoration
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-3 activity on the land.
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Pulling Together at Quail Hill
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.
Friday, October 25, 2019
IRC Farm Steward Workday – Extension Site
IRC Farm Stewards are invited to help out at this “openhouse style” workday!
Our tasks and actual location are TBD, and they will be based on accomplishing the Farm’s top priority work for each specific week. Depending on the time of year we might be at the Farm doing planting, weeding, doing nursery things, or at the Extension center cleaning Farm & wild seed , or something else entirely new!
(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!)
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
CANCELLED due to Fire Weather: Youth Action Team Stewardship at Augustine
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.
Friday, November 1, 2019
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.
Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Bommer Canyon Habitat Restoration
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.
Friday, November 15, 2019
IRC Farm Steward Workday
IRC Farm Stewards are invited to help out at this “openhouse style” workday!
Our tasks and actual location are TBD, and they will be based on accomplishing the Farm’s top priority work for each specific week. Depending on the time of year we might be at the Farm doing planting, weeding, doing nursery things, or at the Extension center cleaning Farm & wild seed , or something else entirely new!
(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!)
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Trail Stewardship
If you use the wilderness parks for hiking, biking, photography or just relaxing, Trail Stewardship might 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, dirty, hard work. Whatever your skill level is, there is a job to do: clearing and improving drains; trimming back brush; spreading native seed; naturalizing impacted areas and caching dirt. We will be using provided tools such as loppers, picks, shovels and McLeods. Our design goals are to keep users ON the trail and get water OFF the trail to reduce impacts to our precious wilderness parks. Ages 16 and up with parent permission (a form is required to be signed by a parent or guardian prior to event). Snacks will be served and parking passes will be available.
In addition to trail work, please expect to hike 3 – 4 miles.
Please wear long pants, closed-toed shoes and sun protection. Bring at least 2 liters of water. Online reservations required and location will be updated here: lagunacanyon.org/events
.For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2200 Sat/Sun.
Event details may change due to weather and other factors. Parking free for volunteers.
Tuesday, November 19, 2019
IRC Volunteer Support for Group Activity: Bommer Nature Garden
Help support a corporate group activity and be a part of the effort to remove dried mustard and perform trail maintenance at the Bommer Nature Garden. This will help maintain the Nature Garden and will contribute to IRC’s efforts to ensure long-term health of this special habitat.
Work will include using small handheld tools, including loppers and shovels, to remove weeds and maintain the trail. Tools and gloves will be supplied by Irvine Ranch Conservancy, although you are welcome to bring your own gloves, if you choose.
The difficulty level of this activity is considered “Level 3.” See below description.
Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Long sleeves and a hat are advised, as is sun block, as there is no shade. IRC will provide some water, but please bring some of your own, as well as snacks, if your group chooses to.
This activity is considered a Level-3 Stewardship Activity:
Terrain/surface of work: Flat to moderate slope, generally stable ground, but likely irregular or rocky natural surfaces
Tools: Small garden tools, shovels, picks, wheelbarrow
Elevation: Minimal; may include short walks to work site
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: Youth Action Team Stewardship at the Native Seed Farm
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 out at the Native Seed Farm! Stewardship activities can include harvesting native seed, weeding, and planting. 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.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Pulling Together at Quail Hill
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.
Friday, November 22, 2019
IRC Farm Steward Workday
IRC Farm Stewards are invited to help out at this “openhouse style” workday!
Our tasks and actual location are TBD, and they will be based on accomplishing the Farm’s top priority work for each specific week. Depending on the time of year we might be at the Farm doing planting, weeding, doing nursery things, or at the Extension center cleaning Farm & wild seed , or something else entirely new!
(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!)
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
Stewardship Day at the West Sinks View Deck
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 small 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.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: Youth Action Team Stewardship at the Native Seed Farm
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 morning helping out at the Native Seed Farm! Stewardship activities can include harvesting native seed, weeding, and planting. 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.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019
Native Plant Nursery at Augustine Staging Area
Please join us at the Augustine native plant nursery to plant native shrubs, and enhance native habitat at the staging area. We will be working in close proximity to the parking area at the Augustine staging area in Limestone Canyon.
Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land.
Friday, December 6, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: 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.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: Bommer Canyon Habitat Restoration
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.
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
CANCELLED due to Trail Conditions: Youth Action Team Stewardship at Bommer Canyon
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 morning helping to enhance Bommer Canyon! Stewardship activities can include planting native species to enhance the habitat, planting cactus to close social trails, watering newly planted natives, 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.