Thursday, December 19, 2024
Demonstration Garden Maintenance: Native Seed Farm
Visitors to IRC’s Native Seed Farm are first greeted by our Demonstration Garden, providing inspiration for regionally suitable plant gardens. Our garden hosts a variety of native plant species which support a healthy local ecosystem!
IRC Volunteers are invited to help at our monthly Garden Maintenance Day! Our tasks each day are to be determined, but we’ll be tackling whatever jobs are a top priority to keep our Garden teeming with native plant life. Weeding, clearing, cutting, digging, watering, whatever it takes! Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.
Fitness Hike – Dilley
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, 4.8-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain with a 650-ft. elevation gain.
Age: 16 or older. 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: 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.
Butterfly Series: Limestone Canyon Butterfly Habitat Islands
Spend your morning helping to plant and weed within the new butterfly habitat islands in Limestone. With your help we will be able to maintain “islands” of host and nectar plants for butterflies in decline in Limestone Canyon. You will be transported from via a safari style truck from butterfly island to butterfly island through a beautiful oak woodland.
Preschool Paleontology: Art and Storytime
Enjoy a morning at Clark Regional Park while you learn about the layers of earth beneath our feet! Participants will visit the Interpretive Center, listen to a story, and make a craft. Activities are designed for ages 2-6 but all are welcome.
We will meet in front of the Interpretive Center.
Minors age 16 and younger must be accompanied by a guardian.
Space is limited; parents must register themselves and each child.
This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
Moving with Nature in Mind – Twilight Yoga at the Farm
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 for the temperature.
Evening Hike on Hicks Haul Road
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.
Friday, December 20, 2024
Winter Solstice Hike to Mini Moab: Fremont Canyon
Join us on this epic hike to celebrate the upcoming Winter Solstice. We’ll hike from the bottom of Fremont Canyon to the bold, sandstone outcrops marking the ridgeline locally known as “Mini Moab.” This extremely challenging out-and-back hike is for experienced, physically fit distance hikers. We climb steeply along ranch roads past an abandoned coal mine, the Fremont Weather Station, remnants of a rare stand of Tecate cypress, and Lizard Rock. Less than a mile after entering the Coal Canyon Ecological Reserve, we reach our destination. The view from Mini Moab is nothing short of spectacular! After a break for snacks and to enjoy the view, we’ll retrace our steps back to the Fremont Staging Area.
Autumn Morning Fitness Hike with Yoga at Bommer Cattle Camp
Join us for a five-mile moderate fitness hike (averaging about 3 mph) with rolling hills before experiencing yoga the Cattle Camp. This historic old west setting connects us with the history of The Irvine Ranch and the barn’s outdoor stage is perfect for yoga. The hike is highlighted with beautiful views of the canyon and the yoga is suitable for those with little or no experience, focused on hips, legs and core. Our focus on breath calms the nervous system and has a positive effect on mental, emotional and physical health. If you have never been to the Cattle Camp before you will be surprised how connected you feel to the cowboys that worked on this land. Please bring water, a yoga mat plus a large beach towel and wear shoes appropriate for hiking.
Growing Together at the Native Seed Farm
Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Spring? 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!
Third Friday Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully
Birds and other wildlife need healthy habitat to thrive. Simple things like planting native plants or removing non-native plants can greatly improve habitat for wildlife. You can be part of that positive impact while enjoying the beauty of Buck Gully near Newport Beach. Come help us with a variety of activities ranging from seed collection to weeding invasive plants.
This activity takes place on sloped terrain and sturdy hiking boots are highly recommended. All training, tools, and gloves will be provided to ensure your safety and comfort. Rattlesnakes are occasionally seen here and generally avoid people, but protective gear will be provided.
Tot Walk
Join OC Parks Naturalists and bring your young ones (infant to age three) to explore Aliso’s wild backyard. Take a leisurely stroll through the garden and to the creek. We will see bugs, plants, and birds while exploring! OC Parks staff may even host a game or introduce a local resident to the children. Come join the fun!
Age: All ages welcome. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Location: Aliso & Wood Canyons Visitor Center, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677)
Parking: $3/car at Aliso & Wood Canyons Visitor Center. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.
Difficulty Rating: 1/5
Materials: Participants must bring 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 with any questions.
Weather, including high temperatures and wet or muddy trail conditions, may lead to cancellation of this event.
Nature Creativity: Wood Cookie Ornament
Nature can inspire creativity in all of us! Join OC Parks Naturalists as we explore the majesty of trees! We will be painting our own wood ‘cookie’! We will hike about 2 miles with moderate elevation gain.
Age: 12 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: 2/5
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.
Nature Journaling
Nature journaling can be practiced in almost any space and combines observations with insights, questions and connections with the environment around us. It allows us to pay attention to details that might otherwise be overlooked and meditate on their forms and place within the natural world.
This program will begin with an introduction to the basic techniques for beginning and maintaining your nature journal, followed by a warmup activity, then a walk in the park to find a comfortable journaling space. Bring a sketch pad or journal and your own art materials such as pencils, pens or watercolors. A portable chair is recommended along with sun protection, water and snacks.
Registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
This program will begin at the Interpretive Center. Be prepared to move along the trail a short distance and sit to document the beauty around you.
All ages are welcome and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian.
This program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.
Inclement weather may cancel the program.
Wild Tales
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 select Fridays 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.
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Moderate Cardio Hike: Weir Canyon Rifle Range Loop
Join us in beautiful Weir Canyon for this moderate paced cardio hike. Along the trail, you’ll pass through coastal sage scrub, grasslands, and oak woodlands where deer and bobcats are frequently observed. Multiple steep climbs and descents, and sweeping views, are included throughout this 6-mile hike. Please make sure you are in excellent physical condition! Even though this is a slower cardio hike, it is faster than a walk. You must be able to hike 3+ miles per hour the entire time without stopping.
Portola to The Sinks
Do you want to explore the Sinks, a geological rock formation that has got its reputation as “Orange County’s miniature Grand Canyon”? Come out and join us on a hike from the Portola staging area to the West Sinks in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon. Distance is about 6 miles, with some sustained climbing in one section. Participants must wear sturdy, closed-toe hiking shoes. Remember to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and all other necessary equipment to keep you safe on the trail. This activity originates in the City of Irvine (Portola Staging Area) and travels into OC Parks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space.
Bird Walk
Spot local native and seasonal resident birds with Laguna Canyon Foundation Volunteer naturalists on this slow and easy 2-mile hike over moderate but uneven terrain with up to 100 feet in elevation gain. We will go through one of the most diverse plant communities in the United States. No experience necessary!
Age: 12 or older. 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: 2/5
Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection. Binoculars 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.
Birding by the Creek
Aliso Creek is one of the best riparian birding sites in Orange County and gives access for a lovely morning hike. OC Parks staff and Volunteers will lead an easy, 3-mile loop with a 50-foot elevation gain on uneven terrain. Travel along the creek on a dirt trail and return on a paved road while birding within the Wilderness Park.
Age: 12 or older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Location: Aliso & Wood Canyons Visitor Center, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park (28373 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677)
Parking: $3/car at Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park parking lot. Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.
Difficulty Rating: 2/5
Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, and sun protection. Binoculars 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.
Growing Together at the Native Seed Farm
Looking for a way to give back to Nature this Spring? 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!
Keep It Wild – Native Plant Nursery – Willow
Join OC Parks and Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers in beautiful Laguna Coast Wilderness Park at our native plant nursery as we care for native plants from their seed stage to their mature, ready-to-be planted stage. Volunteers may collect seeds, sow seeds in flats, bump plants up, plant at restoration sites, sterilize plant containers, and generally help maintain the nursery. Gain hands-on experience with habitat restoration while working alongside other zany and interesting plant lovers!
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: Free for Native Plant Nursery volunteers! Parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged.
Difficulty Rating: 2/5
Materials: Participants must bring plenty of water, closed-toed shoes, long pants, and sun protection. Gloves and tools are provided.
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.