Calendar

Join us for a family-friendly presentation with guest speaker, Bob Allen, for an evening of photographs, stories, and specimens of tarantulas, other spiders, and night-time insects of Orange County.

Ages: 8 and up

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

 Ages: Adult, 18 and up

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Join guest leader, Bob Allen, to get up close and personal with tarantulas and other arthropods! We'll be on the lookout for male tarantulas making their annual late summer search for females.  We will also look for trap-door spiders and other critters of the evening.

This event will partially take place alongside a private road overlooking oak groves, grasslands and more. Participants will initially drive on the road from site to site to look for tarantulas and other  many-legged critters and later take a stroll on a trail to view them.

Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 8 and up

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 5.

Join Rosy the snake and Buckwheat the tortoise for a fun morning at The Nature House. We'll be reading a nature-themed book, playing games, and exploring the Nature House at Ranch Camp.

Ages: All (Recommended 3-5) w/accompanying adult

Calling bird watchers of all levels - beginners to expert! We invite you to migrate over for a morning of bird watching at The Nature Reserve Headquarters, as we offer you hot tea or coffee. Observe on your own, or with staff and volunteers.

Complimentary tea and coffee provided. Please bring your own reusable mug. Nature Reserve mugs will also be available for purchase for $10.

Ages: 12 and up

Join The Nature Reserve for a special evening learning about Birds of Prey - with LIVE owls, hawks, and falcons. We'll begin the evening hearing from Tom Millington from The Nature Reserve, as he shares photos and stories about The Nature Reserve's most common bird of prey, the Red-tailed hawk. Then, see live birds of prey with the Orange County Bird of Prey Center as they discuss local raptor species, their ecological role, and their efforts to aid them.

Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the night sky, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our guest astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (What to bring: warm clothing, flashlight with red cellophane/lens to reduce light pollution, binoculars, optional beach chair.)

Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

 Ages: Adult, 18 and up

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Join us for an evening learning about The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo! Find out how you can explore the lands and the trails that make up The Nature Reserve. Hear about The Nature Reserve’s role in local habitat conservation and how you can have a part in this effort.

• Get local wildlife and trail information
• Meet staff and volunteers
• Enjoy some hot coffee, tea, and desserts
• Ask all your Nature Reserve questions

Presentation from 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm. Stop by for short time or stay for the entire program. Staff are available for questions before and after the presentation. All ages welcome (presentation recommended for ages 10 and up)

Join us at The Nature Reserve for International Archaeology Day! Learn about the field of archaeology and how the past helps us understand the present. Hands-on, kid-friendly activities include traditional games, pottery conservation activity and mock archaeology site. Learn how to use ancient tools like rabbit sticks, pump drills and a fire-bow!

Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy - Moderate
Ages: All. Recommended 6 and up.

Please note: participants must be registered or on the waitlist by Friday, October 18th at 4:00 PM.

Hike with us to the oldest tree on The Nature Reserve, the Mother Oak, a 500-year old Coast live oak. Then, hike out and back along Middle Ridge trail with expansive views of fall on the Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate, with some strenuous hills
Trail Length: 3.5 miles
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 17th.

Join Rosy the snake and Buckwheat the tortoise for a fun morning at The Nature House. We'll be reading a nature-themed book, playing games, and exploring the Nature House at Ranch Camp.

Ages: All (Recommended 3-5) w/accompanying adult

Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the night sky, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our guest astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (What to bring: warm clothing, flashlight with red cellophane/lens to reduce light pollution, binoculars, optional beach chair.)

Interpretation Level: High
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 8 and up

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

 Ages: Adult, 18 and up

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.

Admire the expansive views on a moderately-paced, 3.5 mile morning hike along Shady Canyon trail and back along the Middle Ridge trail on the Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy.

Interpretation Level:  Low
Difficulty Level:  Moderate with some strenuous hills
Ages: 10 and up

Take in the beauty of fall on the Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy, a special place on The Nature Reserve. Enjoy a moderately-paced hike in nature with stops to take in the scenery of leaves falling and colors changing.

Hike Description: This hike will begin along the Sycamore Loop trail and return along Shady Canyon trail. The single-track Sycamore Loop trail is an easy-moderate trail. Shady Canyon is an easy trail through the lower areas under the canopy of oaks and open grasslands.

Interpretation Level: Low
Trail Difficulty Level: Easy-Moderate
Ages: 8 and up

Once registered, please refer to the confirmation email for important event information.

Join our guest speaker and member of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians/Acjachemen Nation, Kathleen Adelia Sandoval, as she speaks about the history of the Acjachemen people and how they are preserving their culture today. The evening includes small bites and drinks inspired by indigenous ingredients. Participants receive one drink ticket, with additional beverages available for purchase.

Ages: 12 and up

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature Reserve's history, philosophy and mission, as well as skills for working with the public. Meet other volunteers and learn how you can help preserve Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

 Ages: Adult, 18 and up

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering for The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.