After the sun has set, the night sky fills with small but mighty flying bats. Enjoy an evening discovering how important bats are to our ecosystems and how they help us stay bug-bite free! The program begins with an informal introduction to bats in the Soda Fountain at your own leisure. Then, breaking into groups, we will walk around the lake to search for these nighttime flyers as they race around catching their dinner. Bat detectors will help to identify and hear their high frequency calls.

Dress warmly in layers as we stroll about a half mile around the lake. Program is free and designed for the whole family to enjoy!

For questions, please call Resource Specialist, Kelley Brugmann at 714-973-6625

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.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following protective measures during the activity in order to participate:

• Each individual adult must bring with them a signed liability waiver. Minors may be added to the waiver of their respective parent or legal guardian. The form will not be available on site. The waiver can be accessed and downloaded for print at home use here:  IRC Liability Waiver 2020.05
• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire and footwear, first aid, medications, hand sanitizer, etc.
• Bring and make use of recommended facial coverings at all times when in the staging area. Facial coverings are also recommended during the activity.
• Maintain proper physical distancing, a minimum of 6 feet, between yourself and all other members of the group at all times.
• A contact-less arrival and sign-in process will be utilized to diminish touching and sharing items.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• Group stops will be minimized and generally only done for safety purposes.
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Gear up for this amazing star gazing night as we take in this summer’s meteor shower! Our evening will begin with a warm up hike on a flat stretch of trail near the Red Rocks in Black Star. We will return to the staging area to stretch out under the stars to capture one of this season’s spectacular outer galactic shows! We will view the different stars and constellations and tell stories of astronomy folklore as we watch for meteors crossing the night sky. You are welcome to carry portable chairs or a soft blanket to lay out while you view the meteor shower event.

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

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.

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.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following protective measures during the activity in order to participate:

• Each individual adult must bring with them a signed liability waiver. Minors may be added to the waiver of their respective parent or legal guardian. The form will not be available on site.
• The waiver can be accessed and downloaded for print at home use here:  IRC Liability Waiver 2020.05
• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols.

Additionally, in an effort to respect and protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not sign up or attend if you are not feeling well, exhibiting any symptoms of illness or have been in recent contact with someone who was ill.

Be inspired by both the natural beauty and recent history of Buck Gully as we explore the public reserve and the collaboration that made it possible. Buck Gully is a natural coastal canyon that opened to the public in 2012 with the installation of four bridges to provide safe public access. The bridges allow exploration of the entire Buck Gully Reserve, and also provide unique vantages and viewing platforms from which to pause and observe the abundant life in and around the stream that runs through the gully year-round. Our guided program starts with a short walk from the Oasis Senior Center to the beginning of the Buck Gully trail, with a visually dramatic entrance into this special canyon. We’ll cross two bridges on the first section of our walk, and then enter the canopied singletrack portion of the trail as we pass by the third bridge. At the fourth and last bridge, we will pause to enjoy the shaded beauty of this hidden refuge, and then retrace our route back to the Oasis.

Please note that you will be asked to adhere to the following protective measures during the activity in order to participate:

• Each individual adult must bring with them a signed liability waiver. Minors may be added to the waiver of their respective parent or legal guardian. The form will not be available on site.
• The waiver can be accessed and downloaded for print at home use here:  IRC Liability Waiver 2020.05
• Be registered in advance, no walk-up registration is permitted.
• Arrive with all necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail, including water, proper attire, and closed-toe footwear, first aid, health needs etc.
• Bring and make use of recommended facial coverings.
• Facial coverings are also recommended during the activity.
• Maintain proper physical distancing, a minimum of 6 feet, between yourself and all other members of the group at all times.
• A contact-less arrival and sign-in process will be utilized to diminish touching and sharing items.
• Restrooms will be available, but facilities will not be sanitized for each individual.
• You may be prevented from participating if you do not adhere to the above protocols

Do you love the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve? Would you like to have a say in the design of future exhibits and renovations? If so, please join us for this informal community meeting where we will discuss plans for the future and take ideas and comments about the exhibits and programs offered at the interpretive center. Light refreshments will be provided and all guests who participate will be entered into drawings for a variety of door prizes. The prizes, generously provided by the Newport Bay Conservancy will include: Docent Guided Kayak Tours of Upper Newport Bay, Copies of the book “Saving Upper Newport Bay, How Frank and Frances Robinson Fought to Preserve One of California’s Last Estuaries” by Cassandra Radcliff, Prize Packs from the Centers gift shop, and OC Parks Annual Passes.

All ages are welcome, but the conversation will be geared toward adult participants.

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

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

Registration required. For more information call (949) 923-2277 or email nathan.taxel@ocparks.com