Calendar

Join Reserve staff for a Monday morning maintaining our trails!

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on February 1.

Come hear licensed falconer, Adam Chavez as he gives a presentation on the Sport of Falconry.  Adam will discuss the ABC’s of Falconry, including everything from the history of falconry, the regulations, equipment and training methods.  And of course, he'll show photos and talk about the amazing birds of prey used in falconry.

This lecture will be followed by a falconry demonstration on Saturday, February 7.

Ages: 8 and up

Participants must be registered by Wednesday, February 4 by 2:00 pm.

Start your morning with an educational hike to a field where you'll see an amazing demonstration of falconry!

Licensed falconer Adam Chavez will educate patrons about the partnership between human and raptor, better known as a "bird of prey." Adam will discuss the traditional practice of falconry, a sport which is thousands of years old, along with newer equipment employed by contemporary practitioners. The event will include an exhilarating demonstration and an opportunity to take a photo with one of the birds.

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 6.

What are Mushrooms and Why Do We Care?

Why do they grow with Oaks?

Can I Touch Them? Can I Pick Them? Can I Eat Them?

How to Find, Photograph, and Identify Fungi.

Explore the fascinating world of wild mushrooms with amateur mycologist Joanne Schwartz. If we are fortunate and get rain, we might find a wide range of fungal forms and species.
Bring your camera if you want.

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 6.

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

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

 Ages: Adults, 18 and older

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

Nature is romantic. You never know what you might find when you explore the world outside your doors. Come walk along the Sycamore Loop Trail on this special day and hunt for heart shaped natural objects. Perhaps a heart shaped rock or leaf, tree branches coming together forming a heart, or even a heart shaped small rodent path in the grasses.   Did you know that a deer footprint can look like a heart? Something unexpected always turns up.   We will all celebrate the beauty and wonder of Nature on this Valentine’s Day walk on the wild side.   Some of the best moments are the unexpected discoveries.

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 13.

Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping make The Reserve trails accessible to our visitors. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by maintaining trails and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! Drinks and snacks provided. (BRING: Work gloves if you have them).

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on February 13.

Orange County Stars

Visitors traveling to sparsely populated areas are usually delighted to discover how many more stars are visible than at home. If you’ve not yet caught a glimpse of the Milky Way, come out to The Reserve for Astronomy Night where you can still view many more celestial phenomena than elsewhere in urbanized Orange County!

Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers.  Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (BRING: Warm clothing, Red cellophaned flashlight, binoculars, optional beach chair.)

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, February 20.

Join the Sierra Sage chapter of the Sierra Club to enjoy the beautiful, natural scenery of The Reserve.

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 .

Local wildflower expert Bob Allen will lead an exploration of The Reserve looking for early wildflowers like the Padre Shooting Star. Learn to identify blooms and savor the smells, sights, sounds and breathtaking beauty of late winter.

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, February 27.

Join Reserve staff for a Monday morning maintaining our trails!

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on March 1.

Trees play important roles in our lives. Join us for an in depth look at Orange County’s Coast Live Oak tree.  Laura Coley Eisenberg, Executive Director of The Reserve, will examine the life of this intriguing tree. Oak woodlands have an impressive diversity of plants and animals that use them.  Learn how oaks are important to the local wildlife – from deer, fox, bobcat, and birds…to mushrooms, lichen, butterflies and other insects. Get to know the challenges this tree and other oak species are facing from imported pests and how you can help protect these majestic trees.

Ages: 8 and up

Participants must be registered by Thursday  March 5 by 2:00 pm.

Come experience the unique Oak Woodland landscapes along Shady Canyon on this interpretive walk.  You will learn about the importance of these trees and their habitat.   You will make your own name badge using a tree “cookie”. There will be a scavenger hunt along the way while we learn lots of intriguing things from this special, and very important, plant community.  This walk is geared toward children but all ages are welcomed!

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, March 6th.

Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 6 and up

Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping make The Reserve trails accessible to our visitors. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by maintaining trails and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! Drinks and snacks provided. (BRING: Work gloves if you have them).

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Friday, March 13.