Join us on a moderate-paced hike through the beautiful Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. This month we will have a guided, geology based, hike that is a 9-mile distance, and 800′ elevation gain. Chat with your naturalist as you learn about the formation of The Sinks, an iconic geological formation often compared to a mini-Grand Canyon for Orange County as well as other geologic features of the canyon.

All participants must carry their own water! Please come prepared with a sturdy day pack (please see Trail Tips), plenty of water (recommended 70 oz), snacks, sturdy closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail.

After our trek, you are welcome to enjoy the trails during Wilderness Access Day: Limestone Canyon.

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

Do the majestic oak trees that reside in our local wild lands fascinate you? Would you like to know more about them, their survival techniques and the relationships they have with the wildlife around them? Then come out on this easy walk while we observe and learn about the wonderful oaks in our ecosystem. This will be an easy, highly interpretive program. This activity originates in the City of Irvine and travels into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

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

Led by Sea and Sage Audubon in partnership with the Irvine Ranch Water District, Wildlife Walks is a free monthly nature walk for all ages at the beautiful San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Bring your whole family to celebrate spring as you walk around the butterfly garden, deep ponds, and shallow ponds of the 300-acre freshwater San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Witness first-hand the interactions between plants and animals as you explore with all your senses under the guidance of our experienced naturalists. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring water and sun protection for a walk around water. Come prepared to touch, smell, and hear nature throughout the seasons! Please go to www.seaandsageaudubon.org for further information, or speak with the Audubon House volunteer at 949-261-7963. There is no registration required.

Enjoy the trails under the full moon’s light! We will hike along the paved Hicks Haul Road, traveling through coastal sage scrub in this dark canyon’s interior. The hike will cover about 3 miles round trip at a moderate pace as we hike along our trail discussing the night sky.  Wear warm layers (as the canyon gets chilly at night) and sturdy shoes. Please bring water and a red tinted flashlight for the hike. This program is for those that are interested in experiencing the trails after sunset and taking in the night sounds and smells along with the full moon’s glow!

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

Discover the hidden canyons and trails found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. These seldom hiked trails offer fantastic vista views, secluded oasis of oaks or rising rocky outcrops. Come take a stroll along the trails to discover the hidden gems of Orange County. We will listen to tales how the geology was formed underfoot to tales of the plants and animals that call these protected habitats home. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for our hike as well as proper sun protection and water.

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

Discover the hidden canyons and trails found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. These seldom hiked trails offer fantastic vista views, secluded oasis of oaks or rising rocky outcrops. Come take a stroll along the trails to discover the hidden gems of Orange County. We will listen to tales how the geology was formed underfoot to tales of the plants and animals that call these protected habitats home. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes for our hike as well as proper sun protection and water.

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

The Canyon 2 Fire burned through Gypsum and Weir Canyons, through Santiago Oaks and Irvine Regional Parks and far into Peters Canyon Park. The fire destroyed or damaged many homes and burned over 9000 acres of oak woodland and coastal sage scrub habitat. The people and communities that were affected by the fire will be recovering for some time.  Much of the burned area is within County of Orange parkland and much of that is managed by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy. The Conservancy is monitoring the post-fire habitat in order to understand and assist in the healthy recovery of these important places. This period of recovery offers  opportunity for people to view and learn about the effects of fire on the plants and animals that inhabit these lands. This program provides a chance for you to experience the burned area up close and learn how  we can ensure a healthy recovery of the native flora and fauna.

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

You are able to register yourself and one guest for this special fire related activity.

Come search for evidence that animals leave behind in nature. Mule deer, bobcat, coyote and even mountain lion 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 for older children and adults.

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

In partnership with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, meet at the Vista Point- the lookout at the corner of Eastbluff Drive and Back Bay Drive where you will join a Naturalist on a tour between outdoor classrooms featuring Birds, Plants, Marine Life, Geology and Native Americans set up along Back Bay Drive. Tours depart from the lookout at 9:00, 9:30 and 10:00 AM. Bring sun protection and binoculars if you have them. There is no charge for the program, but reservations are requested. Please call 949-923-2269 for more information and to RSVP.

Enjoy an early evening family hike in Black Star Canyon, part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. We will hike along a flat trail and cross a creek as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer. The hike will average 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium level of interpretation.

This program is for participants who would enjoy a slower-paced and level hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, and bring water for the hike. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of early evening.

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

Join us on this interpretative hike to learn about the geologic evolution of Orange County, as well as historic mining activities of the county . We’ll hike up to our turnaround point, the Fremont Weather Station, where winds are sometimes clocked at up to 100 mph, and then stop by the site of an abandoned coal mine as we return to our starting point.

This challenging hike includes steep hills with an 1100-foot elevation change, but you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and the Cleveland National Forest.

Please come prepared with a sturdy day pack, water, snacks, closed-toe hiking shoes or boots, sunscreen, first aid, and all other supplies to keep you safe and healthy on the trail.

All participants must carry their own day pack and water and be comfortable hiking an average moving pace of 3 miles per hour. Please make sure you bring a minimum of 70 oz. (2 quarts) of water.

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 on an easy 2-mile hike through the amazing Santiago Creek watershed as we watch for raptors, birds, and other wildlife. Along the way, you will learn about some of the animals and plants that call the park home.

Our experienced docent will uncover historical relics and talk about the surrounding Santa Ana mountain landscape. Please meet at the nature center where the hike will begin with a short indoor presentation about all things Santiago Oaks.

Join us in the back-country wilderness for a journey filled with beautiful sights that are photographic and artistic sketching opportunities. Our journey begins in the morning. We will be deep in a secluded canyon, where time is measured in centuries, even millennia, in the sandstone cliffs of this ancient place called Limestone Canyon.

You will board a 4-wheel drive vehicle for a 13-mile tour of the canyon and hills surrounding it. We will stop frequently for 15-30 minutes to admire the views, take photos, sketch landscapes, and answer questions. Stops will include short walks with views of The Sinks, a trip up Cactus and Markel Spur Trails, with optional, single track, one-mile hike into Box Springs or a 1.5 mile Markel Spur to East Sinks loop hike. Both the Box Springs and Markel Spur hikes provide the visitor a true back-country experience. An alternative, but similar, hiking trail may be used.

Registration will open on November 9, please check back soon!

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

Join us in Irvine Mesa as we observe the many species of birds that call it home. A wide variety of our feathered friends can be seen, such as California Gnatcatcher, Rufous-crowned Sparrow, Greater Roadrunner, California Scrub Jay, California Towhee, Red-tailed Hawk, California Thrasher and many others. Please bring your binoculars if you have them, though some will be available for use. Be ready to slowly walk along the trails to observe the birds of Irvine Mesa.

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

In partnership with OC Parks, join Newport Bay Conservancy for a fun-filled parent and child experience including storytelling, a short nature walk, and arts and crafts. $5/child, pre-registration is required by calling 949-923-2269 or emailing info@newportbay.org. Recommended for ages 2-5.

Led by Newport Bay Conservancy Naturalists on behalf of California Department of Fish and Wildlife, join a highly informative themed plant and bird program. A short walk in an area where several habitats meet, provide a great introduction for those interested in identifying the birds and plants they see at the Bay. If a particular theme is not stated, the Naturalist will discuss items of special interest encountered by the group along the way, such as a bird in breeding plumage or a rare plant that is flowering at the time. Bring binoculars if you have them. There is no charge for the program, but reservations are requested. Please call 949-923-2269 for more information, directions, and to RSVP.

“If you plant it, they will come!”

Choosing the right plants will aid in the success of your butterfly garden.

Join Park Ranger Jenn in a program that will discuss native Orange County butterflies and how to attract them.
• Program includes a “walk + talk” through Mason Park’s Butterfly Garden and a hands-on planting demonstration.

Turn right at the stop sign after the park entrance and park in Parking Lot A. Meet at the Butterfly Garden entrance, located next to the outdoor amphitheater.

Rain will cancel event.

Event and parking are both FREE.

In partnership with OC Parks, join Newport Bay Conservancy for an easy hike for all ages. Families will learn about the Bay and the trails around it. The hike will start on the patio and will last only an hour — dependent on weather — and will be on both paved and dirt trails. No formal program, as it’s a great introduction to the Bay and a Naturalist will talk about whatever you discover along the way. RSVP by calling 949-923-2269 or emailing info@newportbay.org.