Come explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in your backyard! This scenic hike involves steep climbs and descents on both double and singletrack trails and around 1100’ of accumulated climbing elevation. Though challenging, the hike rewards you with sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and Santa Ana Mountains. On clear days you can see Catalina Island and even beyond Orange County into the Los Angeles Basin.

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

King tides are the highest tides of the year and occur during full moons in the winter. They are also a preview of how rising sea levels may effect coastal communities. Join us at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center for a family friendly program to learn about how and why king tides occur.

After a brief program in the interpretive center we will head out on the trail to observe the king tides.

Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.

Rain will cancel the event.

Walk-ins welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested.

Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and the hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep inclines. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter-mile. Participants must be in good physical condition.

Join us on this early morning advanced hike with Irvine Ranch Conservancy enjoying parks adjacent to the Landmarks and through beautiful Weir Canyon. You will go through two parks adjacent to the Landmarks, they are OC Parks managed Regional Parks (Irvine Regional, Santiago Oaks Regional)  We start in Irvine Regional Park, hike over to Santiago Oaks, and finish with a scenic hike down beautiful Weir Canyon Preserve in then Irvine Ranch Open Space.

Distance is 8 miles with several steep climbs and descents.

Come learn about the wonderful smelly things animal leave behind on the trails – poop! Scat, to be exact. Discover the difference between bobcat scat and coyote scat, hear which animals do pellets, twists or tubes, and see the variety of color scat can come in! Then, make your own clay scat ornament to hang at home or to gift to a loved one.

Program is free though there is a Park Entrance Fee per entry vehicle.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Kelley Brugmann at 714-973-6625 or Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

Join us every Monday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County.

This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down. The hike is conducted at about 3-3.5 miles per hour, but you may travel a bit faster or slower, at a walk, run, or jog depending on your comfort level. Most participants finish the route in about 1 hour. Because of the paved surface of the road, you may wear regular running or walking shoes. Trail shoes are fine, but not required. Please bring adequate water!

Lend a helping hand at maintaining the trails at Santiago Oaks Regional Park.

Partner with an OC Parks Volunteer as they guide you through the proper tool use to repair highly used and heavily washed out trails. Tools and safety talk are provided by Volunteers and/or Staff. Bring gloves and water if you have them. Sun protection is important and be ready to work up a sweat as we mend our trails for all to enjoy!

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Kelley at Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

Come and explore the entire Buck Gully Reserve trail system. Beginning from the Oasis Senior Center, we’ll hike up through the almost 3-mile length of the canyon, then along San Joaquin Hills Road for a bit, stopping at Canyon Watch Park where we will take in the panoramic view of the reserve and the Pacific coastline before descending back into the canyon along the Bobcat Trail. Please bring water, a light trail snack, sturdy closed-toe shoes and supplies to keep you safe during the journey. Sunscreen and a hat are highly recommended. This activity is conducted at a walking pace, approximately 3 miles per hour.

PLEASE NOTE: Poison oak grows in abundance throughout the entire Buck Gully Reserve trail system.

Join us for an exhilarating morning fitness hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. This hike is a 6-mile route as a group – which is conducted at the speed of about 3.0 to 3.5 miles per hour.

The group may spread out for social distance reasons but generally will remain together for the entire hike.

The footing on the asphalt paved road is smoother than dirt roads and single-track trails normally found in Limestone Preserve but is beginning to show its age with cracks, crevices, and an occasional dip. Otherwise, the terrain is smooth, so this is a great hike for anyone who wants a “wilderness experience” without getting dirty! We will have two fairly steep hill ascents and descents. Along the way, you will have sweeping views of much of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. Various animals, like hawks, deer, and lizards are also frequently seen in this area.

Come join a leisure bird walk as we search to see which early birds catch the worms. Stroll through the park searching high in the oaks and sycamores for our flittering friends and low in the scrubs for the bouncing birds. Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!

Program is free though there is a Park Entrance Fee per entry vehicle.

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist, Kelley Brugmann at 714-973-6625 or Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

One of the most problematic weed species in Orange County aggressively competes with our native plants for resources and spreads rapidly once established. Therefore, removal of Sahara Mustard helps suppress new invasions and creates opportunities for native species to thrive. This activity will involve removing mustard using long hand-held tools. No previous experience is necessary, just a desire to work outside and get dirty! Bring your own gloves.  Please note that participants must wear long sleeves and long pants, as well as sturdy closed-toe shoes or boots. A hat and sunscreen is highly recommended. Note: This is a wilderness area, there are natural hazards. Snakes, including rattlesnakes, are occasionally seen here.

• Before leaving your home to report for volunteer work, conduct a self-assessment by
  responding to the following questions (current as of May 31, 2020, from the CDC).
  1. Are you experiencing any of the following?
  a. Fever or chills
  b. Cough
  c. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  d. Fatigue
  e. Muscle or body aches
  f. Headache
  g. New loss of taste or smell
  h. Sore throat
  i. Congestion or runny nose
  j. Nausea or vomiting
  k. Diarrhea
  2. Have you had contact with anyone within the last 14 days who has been
  sick?
  If you answered YES to any item above, stay HOME. And stay HOME if you are
  not feeling well, even if your symptoms are not on the list above. Please contact
  the volunteer management team at activityoperations@irconservancy.org or (714)
  508-4760 (call, do not text). Seek medical attention by contacting your doctor or
  medical provider.
• Seek emergency medical care immediately if you are experiencing any of the
• following (current as of May 31, 2020, from the CDC):
• Trouble breathing, Persistent pain or pressure in the chest, New confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake, Bluish lips or face.

● Pre-fill your personal water containers at home and bring them with you. If you need
to eat during your work shift, bring that with you. IRC is not providing food or beverages.
Do not bring food or beverages to share with others.
● Wear your approved IRC volunteer uniform while on duty, including your IRC
volunteer ID badge. Carry your provided CPR/first aid kit in case you are injured.

If tools or other equipment or supplies are required, you must make arrangements in
advance.

• Employees will provide sanitized tools and equipment for you to use and will maintain
  an inventory of the items provided to you.
  ● Ideally, you will keep the items in your possession for future use to avoid the need for
  sanitizing after each use.
  ● If you are not able to keep the items in your possession, then you must sanitize all items
  upon returning to the IRC bin or a storage site. Your employee contact will arrange
  sanitation supplies at IRC or the storage site for your use.
  You are not to share any tools, equipment, or other items with any other person, including
  other volunteers.

While Working in the Field
● Face coverings may be required. According to the OC Health Officer’s order of May
28, 2020: “All Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering
outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least 6 feet of physical
distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside
in the same living unit.”
● Tools and equipment are not to be shared. Volunteers who are working in small
groups should use only the tools and equipment they brought with them. Under no
circumstances should any tools or equipment be shared.
● There will be a limited supply of hand sanitizer. If available, please use it to clean your
hands after touching commonly handled surfaces and fixtures like gates, locks, portable
restrooms, etc. If hand sanitizer is not available, a cleaning solution and paper towels
should be used.
● Wash hands frequently, including before eating. Some field sites may have running
water; if liquid soap and paper towels are available, please use them. If not, completely
cover your hands with hand sanitizer and rub vigorously for a minimum of 20 seconds.
● Transportation. All volunteers must be able to drive or otherwise transport themselves
to a staging area, trailhead, or entry point. Transportation of other people is prohibited.
All worksites must be reachable on foot or bike, as there are no IRC vehicles available
for volunteers.
● Do not share food or beverages.
● Maintain six-foot physical distancing at all times.

After Working in the Field
● Wash your hands. Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum
of 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer.
● Clean all tools. If returning tools to the IRC bin or a storage area, wearing disposable
gloves, and using spray or wipes, clean tools and equipment. See instructions above.

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

Join us every Wednesday night for a fitness-focused hike on the paved Hicks Haul Road. During the spring, summer and fall, hikers will enjoy wonderful sunset views and a panoramic overview of Orange County. This hike travels about 3.5 miles, up to the top of Loma Ridge and back down.

This week in the Irvine Open Space, we’ll be in Bommer Canyon, once part of the historic Irvine cattle ranch where corrals and ranch equipment still stand. The hike is a seven-mile loop with some climbing but rewards you with fantastic views overlooking the ocean and many Irvine locales. Please bring water, a trail snack, sunscreen, a hat, and any other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail.   Get your boots out and register to hike the loop through the Laguna Coast Wilderness and back to Cattle Camp.

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 hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. This hike is done at an easy walking pace. This out-and-back program travels 2.5 miles round trip to scenic Loma Ridge and back down. Please bring a red-tinted flashlight as the return portion of the hike may be after sunset.

Join us for an extremely challenging and strenuous hiking adventure in the scenic Fremont Canyon Wilderness Area. This 15-mile loop hike is for experienced, physically fit distance hikers. The hike is on fire/SCE dirt roads with numerous significantly steep, unrelenting climbs and descents. We hike the entire rim of Fremont Canyon, passing by an abandoned coal mine, the Fremont Weather Station and the remnants of a rare stand of Tecate cypress. Along the way we’ll have sweeping views of Orange County, the Santa Ana Mountains and surrounding mountain ranges.

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

Upper Newport Bay’s long running and popular story time is back! Wild tales will be offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project in our classroom. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

Activities are designed for ages 2-4 but all are welcome.

Current CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 will be observed.

All Minors under 16 must be accompanied by a parent of guardian at all times.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Lend a helping hand at maintaining the trails at Santiago Oaks Regional Park.

Partner with an OC Park Ranger as they guide you through the proper tool use to repair highly used and heavily washed out trails. Tools and safety talk are provided by Volunteers and/or Staff. Bring gloves and water if you have them. Sun protection is important and be ready to work up a sweat as we mend our trails for all to enjoy!

For questions, please contact Resource Specialist Kelley at Kelley.Brugmann@ocparks.com

Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and the hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep inclines. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter-mile. Participants must be in good physical condition.

Come search for evidence that animals leave behind in nature. Mule deer, bobcats, coyotes and even mountain lions call this hidden canyon home. Gain the basic tracking techniques as we search for evidence such as tracks, fur, bones, homes, and even scat. You never know what you may find! Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes that you do not mind getting a little dusty.

This program is focused on older children and adults.

From September 2021 through March 2022, Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve will host monthly migratory bird surveys open to public participation. We will be tracking the abundance and diversity of the amazing variety of migratory birds who overwinter on the Bay.

This activity is open to birders at all levels and no experience is necessary. A limited number of loaner binoculars are available upon request.

Participants can expect to walk 2-3 miles over uneven terrain.

Minors aged 16 and younger must have legal guardian present at all times.

Walk-ins are welcome, but space is limited, so registration is suggested.