Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up 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 a challenging and beautiful adventure as we hike to the Hangman’s Tree Monument on Loma Ridge. Hike distance is 6 miles and affords fantastic views along the way, spanning the Pacific coastline, San Gabriel peaks and the Santa Ana Mountains. Several very steep climbs and descents are part of this route. We’ll accumulate almost 1800 feet of climbing elevation.

Due to recent rain, the City of Irvine has asked IRC to assess its seven-day access trail system. The purpose of this is to evaluate trails and report on conditions for public access before the busy holiday week.

This hike is for the seven-day access trails in Bommer Canyon: Bommer Meadow, Bommer Canyon (trail along the road), Nature Loop, West Fork, Turtle Ridge singletrack, Community Trail.

A minimum of one Trail Guide may register. If more register, they should go on the assessment together, but may split up to look at various trail segments, if needed.

(We don’t actually need a certified “Docent/Lead” to sign up to do this; it can be one or more Trail Guides.) Activity time can be determined by the volunteer(s) but must be within the regular “open” hours for the trail system.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Irvine] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy and safe.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to IRC Activity Operations.

Due to recent rain, the City of Irvine has asked IRC to assess its seven-day access trail system. The purpose of this is to evaluate trails and report on conditions for public access before the busy holiday week.

This hike is for the Quail Hill Loop only, which is one of the seven-day access trails.

A minimum of one Trail Guide may register. If more register, they should go on the assessment together. (We don’t actually need a certified “Docent/Lead” to sign up to do this; it can be one or more Trail Guides.) Activity time can be determined by the volunteer(s) but must be within the regular “open” hours for the trail system.

All IRC volunteers must be in IRC uniform (with proper landowner [City of Irvine] identification/patch), including your badge(s).

Before leaving your home to report for the activity, fill your water bottle, bring everything you need to be healthy and safe.

Please take note of the trail conditions and take photos of any issues, especially those that might impact the public’s access of the trail, such as areas that are impassable or highly saturated. It will be helpful to note the exact location of any photos taken.

As soon as possible after the Assessment Hike, please send an email to IRC Activity Operations (activityoperations@irconservancy.org) with your observations including (but not limited to):

1. Weather during your hike
2. Overall impression of the trail (saturated, wet, impassable, dry, etc.)
3. Any problem spots (fallen branches, etc.)
4. Provide photos and exact location of any problem spots
5. Wildlife sightings
6. Other hikers?

Please also remember that if you find that you are making ½” or deeper footprints on any of the trails, please do not continue! Immediately report that information to IRC Activity Operations.

Discover unique historical tales about the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as we celebrate different cultures together! Each month, a different culture and celebration will be highlighted, with the possibility of the program presented in multiple languages which will allow for everyone to fully enjoy the beauty of the land.

This month we will focus on the Chinese Lunar New Year, Year of the Snake. Come explore how people who are born in the Year of the Snake are said to be mysterious, talented, and deep thinkers just like those who enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks!

Join us every Wednesday night in OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space 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 an average of 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.

Join us for a challenging and beautiful adventure as we hike to the Hangman’s Tree Monument on Loma Ridge. Hike distance is 6 miles and affords fantastic views along the way, spanning the Pacific coastline, San Gabriel peaks and the Santa Ana Mountains. Several very steep climbs and descents are part of this route. We’ll accumulate almost 1800 feet of climbing elevation along this route. Portions of the hike will take us around an avocado orchard that borders on the natural open space. Far-reaching views from the highest point reward your effort.

Please be aware this is a Fitness Hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Join Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteers to raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast paced 6-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with a 1,150-ft. elevation gain.

Age: 16 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: Willow Staging Area, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (West side of Laguna Canyon Rd/SR-133, just south of El Toro Road).

Parking: $3/car at Willow Staging Area parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 4/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed hiking shoes, and sun protection. Hiking poles are recommended.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Please join IRC staff plant milkweed and nectar plants for the Monarch butterfly in Bommer Canyon. With your help we will create islands of Milkweed and nectar plants that will help support the seasonal migration of Monach butterflies. We may be using shovels and small handheld tools. No experience necessary.

Join us at our beautiful Native Seed Farm for an all-levels Vinyasa yoga class. This one-hour outdoor yoga class will incorporate both static posture holds and a dynamic sequence of asanas, flowing from one pose to the next, while connecting breath with movement. The practice will include options for modifications, proper alignments and breathing techniques. Increase balance, flexibility, strength, and mental clarity while reducing tension and stress.

Please bring water, a yoga mat, a large towel (optional) to place under your mat, wear athletic clothing, and bring appropriate clothing layers and sun protection for the weather.

Enjoy an evening hike through stunning rock formations and fragrant native plants as you listen to the sounds of nature. During this hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve, you may travel at various hiking speeds based on your comfort level.  This out-and-back program travels 3.5 miles round trip up 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 on this early morning hike enjoying beautiful Weir Canyon Nature Preserve, part of OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.  Starting in Irvine Regional Park, we pass through Lower and Upper Weir Canyon to a scenic overlook. We then head down Upper Blind Canyon as we wind our way back to our starting point.  This hike is around 9.5 miles with one significant climb and descent.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Winter? Come help us behind the scenes at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine! Every day at the farm is different; depending on the needs of the farm we will be harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, planting new seeds in the annual plots, working in our native plant demo garden, or tending to younger seedlings in our nursery.

Working with us at the Native Seed Farm is a great way to grow your community and cultivate knowledge about local plant and wildlife! Absolutely no experience or special equipment required! 

At the Native Seed Farm, it is crucial to collect a variety of genetic material from different individuals within a plant species, so that an array of characteristics (flowering/seed times, size, tolerance to sun, and many more factors) are represented when incorporating it into IRC’s restoration projects. Although the Irvine Ranch Open Spaces are well loved and used by the community, they are some of the most under-documented open space areas in Orange County. For future seed collection efforts, it is crucial to document location data for populations so that we determine accurate identifications for hard-to-determine species, have current location data, and know the best time for collection. When seed collection season starts in the summer, it can be difficult to know exactly where some populations are due to many perennial plants going dormant or annual plants dying out. 

To assist with providing new genetic material, Plant Materials staff are asking for volunteers passionate about native plant identification to help record populations in under-documented areas within the the Irvine Ranch Open Space. No prior plant documentation or identification is required, but a smart phone or camera with GPS capability is heavily encouraged. All observations will be uploaded into IRC’s group Calflora account to help staff with assessing collection areas for the seed collecting season. 

Volunteer (Household) Trail Patrol requested by Virginia Krapil

Vehicle: White Hyundai Tucson CA 9GVD487

The Gold Spotted Oak Borer (GSOB) is an introduced non-native invasive beetle that is greatly impacting our native oak species. IRC is working to enhance and protect our oak woodland habitat by monitoring oaks throughout the landmarks in some of our major canyon bottoms. Join our annual GSOB monitoring efforts and help protect the oak woodlands on the Irvine Ranch Landmarks.

GSOB Monitoring- Participants will learn about the signs and symptoms of Gold Spotted Oak Borer infestations in oak trees, as well as survey techniques for detecting GSOB. Using a mobile data collection app, participants will locate known infested trees, inspect trunks for GSOB specific exit holes, identify and mark the holes, and update the data collection form for each surveyed tree. More information will be given at the training for future monitoring activities.

Join OC Park Naturalists for a Little Explorers hike! Bring your little ones (ages 3-6) on a 1.5-mile hike along Canyon Trail at the James Dilley Preserve. While hiking, we will explore and search for interesting bugs, plants, tracks, and more! This hike is relatively flat on sandy soil.

Age: 3-6 year-olds. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Location: James Dilley Preserve, Laguna Coast Wilderness Park (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; and make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right.).

Parking: $3/car at James Dilley Preserve parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.

Difficulty Rating: 1/5

Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection.

Safety precautions and protocols:

Advanced registration required. Every individual, including children, must be registered. Register here.
Group sizes are minimized for safety purposes. For group registrations or questions please email volunteer@lagunacanyon.org
Participants must individually sign a waiver at the beginning of the program. For participants under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the waiver.
To protect all employees, volunteers, and participants, please do not attend if you are not feeling well, have symptoms of illness or have been in contact with someone who was ill.
Contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or shelbi.richardson@ocparks.com with any questions.

Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.

Spending time outside is one of the best ways to nurture curiosity and instill a love of the natural world. Bring your young ones and join OC Parks staff to learn all about the Newport Back Bay.

Our Wild Tales program is offered every Friday from 10:00-11:00am and includes a story time, an age-appropriate hike, and a themed craft. Each week will focus on a different topic that encourages young ones to learn about the outdoors.

The program begins at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Program content is tailored for the preschool level (ages 2-5), but all are welcome to attend. Minors under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult guardian. Please wear comfortable attire and closed-toe shoes.

Advance registration is recommended. Program and parking are free.

Adverse weather conditions may move the program indoors or cancel it.

Explore the natural wonders and history of Irvine Regional Park by joining OC Parks staff for our new Junior Ranger program! Participants will have the opportunity to earn their very own junior ranger badge as we adventure through Irvine Regional Park together.

The program content is geared towards children aged 7-12, but all are welcome.

Children must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during the program. Bringing sunscreen, wearing sturdy footwear and bringing water are encouraged.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

Advance registration is required.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Come join us for an interactive evening under the stars.  Immerse yourself in a scaled-down version of our solar system.  Test your imagination in naming the constellations.  Reenact the struggle between Orion and the Scorpion.  The hike will average 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a high level of interpretation. This program is for participants who would like a slower-paced hike. Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes and bring water for the hike. This activity is designed with kids ages 5 – 12 in mind but, everyone is welcome.