A. Limited Spots Available: June 18 TREKS Talk with Dr. Pete Bloom
We are thrilled to invite you to another installment of Volunteer TREKS: Training, Resources, Education, Knowledge, and Stories. This opportunity is for volunteers and their guests to enhance their knowledge on various topics related to the natural and cultural resources found within Orange County while earning volunteer hours.
Please join us on Wednesday, June 18 at Irvine Regional Park’s Soda Fountain Pavilion, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Peter Bloom, who has been a Zoologist and professional environmental consultant for more than 40 years.
He specializes in the environmental sciences, is an internationally recognized expert in raptor biology and conservation, and possesses extensive knowledge and experience with all terrestrial vertebrate groups. Dr. Bloom has conducted research all around the world and has been responsible for a wide variety of biological, ecological, and conservation studies in addition to publishing dozens of scientific papers and technical reports.
In this special edition TREKS Talk, Dr. Bloom will be sharing his observations and knowledge of raptors in Orange County in addition to describing some of the conservation and monitoring efforts he has conducted with his team in our local wildlands. You won’t want to miss this fascinating presentation and opportunity to learn directly from Dr. Bloom.
Registration is required to participate as there are limited spaces available. Volunteers are welcome to invite up to two additional guests to join. Light refreshments will be served.
Please sign into your LetsGoOutside.org account and register here: https://letsgooutside.org/activities/2025/06/18/volunteer-treks-talk-raptors-with-pete-bloom/
B. LAST CALL! IRC is Offering the ‘Activity Leadership Training’ Course this Summer!
Space is limited so please express your interest by Monday, June 9th.
The Activity Leadership Training Course is specifically designed for Trail Guides who are interested in taking the next step towards a leadership role. With this training, volunteers have the opportunity to gain Lead volunteer status, also referred to as Docent. This is a fun, highly intensive, very interactive course that will require a strong commitment from volunteers, not only during the training but before and after as well.
In addition to seven (7) weekly class sessions at the IRC office, volunteers will provide an engaging interpretive trailside presentation on a relevant natural or cultural resource topic, and complete assignments outside of classroom time. Each session contains important information that will be difficult to replace if missed. A maximum of one absence, with prior authorization, is all that can be allowed.
Volunteers will have six (6) months following the final class session to complete the remaining requirements. This includes standing-in as a Lead on four (4) activities of their choice under the supervision of an existing, qualified IRC Lead. IRC will work with you closely during this time to make sure you feel supported, and each step makes sense.
To qualify for the course:
- 36 hours of active Trail Guide hours
- Requirements must be met by the first day of class on 7/23
Schedule for the course:
- Classes will be on Wednesday evenings on 7/23, 7/30, 8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/3 (from 5:30pm – 9pm) at the IRC Office
- There will be one field day for trailside presentations on 9/6 from 8:00am-12:00pm (location TBD)
To express your interest:
- Please email Volunteer Training Coordinator, Diem (Zim) Duong at dduong@irconservancy.org
- After you express your interest, the Volunteer Team will check on qualification requirements and follow-up with a LetsGoOutside registration link once confirmed.
