Please join us at the Augustine native plant nursery to plant seeds that will be planted as seedlings in various habitat restoration and enhancement projects.  We will be in close proximity to the parking area at the Augustine staging area in Limestone Canyon. 

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-1 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Come explore OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. This scenic equestrian ride involves steep climbs and descents on both double and singletrack trails and around 1100’ of accumulated elevation. This equestrian ride takes you through multiple landscapes of coastal sage and chaparral and rewards you with sweeping views of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as well as the Santa Ana Mountains. On clear days you can see Catalina Island and even beyond Orange County into the Los Angeles Basin.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity-specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Join us every Wednesday night in OCParks’ 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!

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Please be aware this is a Fitness Hike and not for beginners; the pace is approximately a 19-minute mile. Raise your heart rate and your spirits on this strenuous, fast-paced, 5.5-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (750-ft. elevation gain) with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers.

For more information and to sign up, CLICK HERE.

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.

Join us for an early morning distance hike from remote Fremont Canyon to the oak woodlands of Weir Canyon. Shortly after leaving Irvine Regional Park, this hike climbs steeply from the mouth of Fremont Canyon and passes an abandoned coal mine. We continue through Upper Blind Canyon, up to a scenic overlook and then drop down to Weir Canyon as we wind our way back to Irvine Regional Park.

Distance is up to 14 miles and is designed for advanced hikers. Participants must be physically fit and have distance hiking experience.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Looking for a way to give back to Nature this autumn? 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, 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! 

Reviewing the 1-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this Level 2 activity. Activities may include bending, stooping, crouching, squatting, long periods of standing, reaching, pulling, grabbing, and pushing.

Please note our Minors Policy for all public activities: All minors (under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by their respective parent or legal guardian. Both parent and their accompanying minor(s) must be registered for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy led activity they wish to attend.

Volunteers needed to help carve and decorate 120 pumpkins for the OC Zoo! Pumpkins will be used to decorate the OC Zoo for the annual Halloween Zoo-tacular event and used as Halloween treats for the zoo animals! Be a part of this event and help the zoo get ready for a Zoo-tacular Halloween!

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.

Join us for a strenuous, extremely challenging, fast-paced, early morning cardio hike in Limestone Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Along the way we’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of Orange County and possible wildlife sightings.  This is an 8 mile cardio hike, completed in 2.5+ hours, includes a 1000+ foot elevation change. This hike is for experienced, physically fit hikers who enjoy the challenge of multiple steep climbs and descents. This hike is much faster than a regular walking hike. We average four (4) miles per hour fast-paced and is extremely difficult over steep terrain in the wilderness setting.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-5 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Requesting OC Parks volunteer or Ranger Reserve assistance with greeting park visitors at the Borrego Canyon trailhead at Whiting Ranch. Borrego trail travelling to Red Rock Canyon trail is the most popular hike in Whiting Ranch. Trail ambassadors will answer questions about the trails and animals, pass out maps, educate the visiting public on park rules, and communicate with park staff on any issues.

Come join us as we hike 5 miles through the lovely Weir Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space. Before our hike starts a brief introduction to animal tracks and scats will be given. Along our journey, we will be looking for any signs animals might have left behind for us to find. Tracks, scats, and other signs are out there waiting for us to find them!

Please come prepared with plenty (50 oz) of water, closed-toe shoes, and a sturdy hiking backpack. Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Enjoy nature with friends and family on the Mesa. We start our program by climbing a small hill at an easy pace to reach the top. Once up on the mesa, we will hike along a fairly flat trail as we watch for red-tailed hawks and mule deer.  The hike averages 2-3 miles round trip at an easy pace with a medium 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. Be ready to enjoy the sounds and smells of the 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. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Enjoy a moderate 4 mile hike and gentle yoga practice in nature. The hike through Baker Canyon, part of OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, includes some elevation and will be a nice warm up for a gentle morning yoga flow under a shaded canopy. Please bring water, your own yoga mat and large beach towel. Mats will not be provided; we will drop mats at secure location while hiking. Closed-toe shoes, water, hats and sunscreen recommended for the hike.

Reviewing the 1-through-5 Difficulty Ratings will help you evaluate your readiness to participate in this level-3 activity on the land. Please visit our FAQ page for answers to activity specific questions you may have prior to registering.

Led by Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers in partnership with OC Parks. Do you want to take a hike with other nature enthusiasts? Enjoy a 3.8-mile, moderate (600-ft. elevation gain) hike through Laurel and Willow Canyons with Laguna Canyon Foundation volunteers. You will experience a variety of plant communities, from Coastal Sage Scrub to Oak Woodland and enjoy a view of the ocean at the top. Minimal interpretation, but questions welcome. The terrain can often be rocky and uneven.

For more information and to sign up, CLICK HERE.

Volunteers needed for OC Parks’ Halloween Zoo-tacular! This event is a fun, family-friendly event where we will have games, crafts, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and candy galore! Help make this event a success for all the little ghouls and their families!

Volunteers needed for OC Parks’ Halloween Zoo-tacular! This event is a fun, family-friendly event where we will have games, crafts, a scavenger hunt, prizes, and candy galore! Help make this event a success for all the little ghouls and their families!

Requesting OC Parks volunteer or Ranger Reserve assistance with greeting park visitors at the Borrego Canyon trailhead at Whiting Ranch. Borrego trail travelling to Red Rock Canyon trail is the most popular hike in Whiting Ranch. Trail ambassadors will answer questions about the trails and animals, pass out maps, educate the visiting public on park rules, and communicate with park staff on any issues.

Join Mile Square Regional Park staff and volunteers in enhancing the Nature Area 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, water, wear closed toe shoes and a long sleeve shirt is recommended. Tools are provided. Please arrive on time, as work will begin promptly at 8 am.

Please note, this is a weekly reoccurring activity and space is limited.

• Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
• Minors ages 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times.
• Rain or heat advisories cancel the event.

Mile Square Nature Area Parking Map

Come and enjoy an easy, 2.5-mile family hike over moderate but uneven terrain (45-ft. elevation gain). Starting at the James Dilley Preserve, we will hike one of the most diverse areas of the park to Barbara’s Lake and back. Hike is led by Laguna Canyon Foundation naturalist volunteers. Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve (I-5 or 405 south to 133 south to stoplight at 73 toll road; make a U-turn, go 1 block. Dilley is on the right). For all ages; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by adult.. For questions, call 949-497-8324 Mon-Fri or 949-923-2235 Sat/Sun. Parking: $3/vehicle.

For more information and to sign up, CLICK HERE.