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

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.

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.

Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by clearing trails, restoring habitats, and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! (BRING: Work gloves if you have them).

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up (Volunteers under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.)

Participants must be registered or on the waitlist by Friday, September 18 at 4:00 pm.

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.

Ages: 12 and up

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by Wednesday, September 23 at 4:00 pm.

Hoots, howls and other cries in the night are what we'll be listening for on this nighttime adventure on The Nature Reserve. Enjoy a night hike, as we learn about nocturnal animals and listen for the calls of the wild.

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

Please Note: Registration for this event closes on Friday, September 25 at 4:00pm.

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

Join our 20 Connections Challenge to help us celebrate 20 years of local habitat conservation and connecting people with The Nature Reserve.

To complete the challenge, either use the notebook or the Google Form to play the game and add up your points! Choose your own way(s) to connect with and explore The Nature Reserve. Each connection has a point value, and the goal is to reach 20 points by combining connections. The deadline is October 17, 2026.

Everyone who finishes the challenge will receive your choice of our 20th year Anniversary bandanna or carabiner as a prize. You’ll also be invited to our 20th Year Celebration Party on October 24! We’ll be celebrating in true Nature Reserve style with food, music, crafts, nature walks, opportunity drawings, and live animal presentations.

From the Jurassic to the Pleistocene, join geologist Aron Taylor on a journey through Rancho Mission Viejo’s spectacular geologic history. This special evening includes a meet and greet with our speaker and a look at the unique geological features of historic Rancho Mission Viejo lands. 

Enjoy geology themed cocktails, beer, wine, and small bites. Admission includes one drink ticket and food. Additional drinks can be purchased. Non-alcoholic beverages options will be available. This is for adults 21 years of age and older.

Registration closes October 27 at 4:00pm.

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.