Around 25,000 plants have been installed at our Big Canyon restoration site, and we would love your help protecting the new plantings from invasive plants. Invasive plants pose a huge threat to displacing native plant communities and wildlife at the Bay, second only to habitat loss. By removing invasive weeds, we will ensure the Big Canyon project site thrives with native plants for years to come. No prior plant ID/weeding experience necessary.

Minors must have a legal guardian present at all times.

To register, go to: RestoreBigCanyon.eventbrite.com

Interested in bringing out a large group of 15 or more? Please contact Zachery Flores at zachery.flores@newportbay.org for more information on how to sign up.

Time & Location
We will meet at 9am at the project site entrance. A map with directions will be included in your confirmation email following registration. From the parking location, the project site is a short 5-minute walk into the canyon. NOTE: There are no restrooms at this location.

What to Bring/Wear
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. We also recommend wearing breathable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Hand tools, shovels, and gloves will be provided. All volunteers not yet fully vaccinated must wear a face mask while on the project site. Face masks are optional for fully vaccinated volunteers.

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.

Insects are the most diverse group of animals on Planet Earth and make up 80% of all known species. There are more different kinds of bugs than all the other types of animals combined! Join us on a family friendly trek around Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve to learn all about these amazing animals who have perfected the art of ecological specialization. Insects may have a reputation for being icky, but in fact, they are essential pollinators who are needed to sustain life on our Planet.

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested

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

Join us for an easy, stroller friendly walk along Upper Newport Bay to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and smells of spring. We will stay on the paved Bayview Trail and pause frequently to observe birds, bugs, wildflowers, and any other wildlife that happens to be present.

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

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

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

Around 25,000 plants have been installed at our Big Canyon restoration site, and we would love your help protecting the new plantings from invasive plants. Invasive plants pose a huge threat to displacing native plant communities and wildlife at the Bay, second only to habitat loss. By removing invasive weeds, we will ensure the Big Canyon project site thrives with native plants for years to come. No prior plant ID/weeding experience necessary.

Minors must have a legal guardian present at all times.

To register, go to: RestoreBigCanyon.eventbrite.com

Interested in bringing out a large group of 15 or more? Please contact Zachery Flores at zachery.flores@newportbay.org for more information on how to sign up.

Time & Location
We will meet at 9am at the project site entrance. A map with directions will be included in your confirmation email following registration. From the parking location, the project site is a short 5-minute walk into the canyon. NOTE: There are no restrooms at this location.

What to Bring/Wear
Be sure to bring sunscreen, a hat, and plenty of water. We also recommend wearing breathable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty. Hand tools, shovels, and gloves will be provided. All volunteers not yet fully vaccinated must wear a face mask while on the project site. Face masks are optional for fully vaccinated volunteers.

Wild tales story time is offered every Friday and includes an outdoor story time in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

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

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Come earn your Junior Ranger Badge and Certificate at Upper Newport Bay. Participants will go on a guided hike, complete the junior ranger activity book, and take the junior ranger oath. Activities will be designed for learners in the 9-12 age range, but everyone is welcome.

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

Rain will cancel the event.

Space is limited, so registration is suggested, but walk ins are welcome if there are spots available.

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

Come join us for a fun themed craft project anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.!

Crafty Kids Sunday features FREE craft activities in the Muth Interpretive Center’s Discovery Classroom.

All ages are welcome, recommended for ages 2 to 10 years old. No registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

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

Wild tales story time is offered every Friday and includes an outdoor story in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

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

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Every year on the first Saturday in June, the American Hiking Society calls all public lands users together for a day of service in support of outdoor spaces we hold dear. This year, OC Parks will answer that call with a family friendly habitat restoration project at Upper Newport Bay. Activities will include watering native plants and removing invasive weeds.

Gloves, drinking water, and tools will be provided.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Minors under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a legal guardian at all times.

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested.

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

Wild tales story time is offered every Friday and includes an outdoor story in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

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

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

Upper Newport Bay is known for being one of the best bird watching spots in Orange County and this introductory workshop and walk will teach the basics of bird watching and identification and prepare anyone and everyone to fully enjoy coastal bird watching. All are welcome and loaner binoculars will be available.

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

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

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

Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup, and Butterfly Garden maintenance. No experience is necessary; please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, etc. Water and tools are provided.

Walk ups are welcome, but pre-registration is required and space is limited

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

Rain or heat advisories cancel the event

Wild tales story time is offered every Friday and includes an outdoor story in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

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

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.

2020 marked the beginning of a new 11 year solar cycle which will see a dramatic increase in the number of sunspots over the next 4-6 years. During this family friendly program, we will learn all about sunspots, their effect on planet earth, and how to safely view them.

Each family or group in attendance will be given the supplies to make their very own DIY sunspot viewer.

We will also use a specially filtered telescope to view sunspots (if any are present and weather conditions are favorable).

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so advance registration is suggested.

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

Wild tales story time is offered every Friday and includes an outdoor story in our newly renovated amphitheater, an age appropriate hike, and a craft project. Each session will have a new story, hike theme, and craft project.

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

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

Walk-in’s welcome, but space is limited so registration is suggested. If the session fills up, priority will be given to those who signed up in advance.

Rain or heat advisory will cancel the event.