All events specify a minimum age for participation.
- Eight (8) is the minimum age for most Reserve events.
- Some events require participants to be ages 12 & up.
- FAMILY events welcome children aged 6 & up.
- Refer to specific event listing for details.
- Be sure to review our age limit policy.
Pre-registration required for all programs.
- Contact us for large groups or to arrange a special group outing.
- Your registration enables us to contact you about program changes or cancellations. Please see our policy on Cancellations and Refunds.
- All visitors to The Reserve must present a signed release waiver upon entry to the property. Families may submit a single form, as long as all entrants are identified on the form. Waivers are also available at the event.
Astronomy Night
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, June 23.
| When: | June 24, 2017, 8:45 pm – 10:45 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 16 (out of 25) |
Friends Forever: Plants and Animals! at Ladera Ranch Library
Calling all nature friends! Join us as we explore plant and animal partners and the many ways they depend upon each other for food, shelter and survival!
Ages: Recommended 5 - 10
Please note: Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. Ladera Ranch Library located at: 29551 Sienna Pkwy, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694.
For more information, please call Ladera Ranch Library at 949-234-5940.
| When: | June 26, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Full Moon Hike
Take in moonlit coast live oaks and sycamores on a docent-led hike through The Reserve. We’ll be serenaded by the sounds of the outdoors at night as we search for nocturnal creatures.
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, July 7.
| When: | July 8, 2017, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 7 (out of 25) |
Rise and Shine Nature Walk
Wake up with the Reserve on this summer morning nature walk. Investigate behaviors and characteristics of crepuscular animals that are most active at sunrise and sunset, such as mountain lions and mule deer.
Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy-Moderate
Ages: 6 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, July 7th.
| When: | July 8, 2017, 8:30 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 14 (out of 25) |
Caspers Park Foundation Nature Talk
Reservations are not necessary for this event call Caspers Park Foundation for accurate seat availability.
This nature-themed lecture is held in association with the monthly meeting of Caspers Park Foundation (CPF) volunteers.
Subject: Paleontologist for Rancho Mission Viejo
This event is presented by the Caspers Park Foundation. For information regarding this event, please contact the Caspers Park Foundation. For more info, email: CaspersParkFoundation@gmail.com or call 949-923-2210.
| When: | July 8, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Space Explorers! at Ladera Ranch Library
Join us in becoming a Space Explorer at the Ladera Library! Learn the constellations in our night sky, discover the wonders of our moon, and map our solar system with puzzles and crafts.
Ages: Recommended 5 - 10
Please note: Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. Ladera Ranch Library located at: 29551 Sienna Pkwy, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694.
For more information, please call Ladera Ranch Library at 949-234-5940.
| When: | July 10, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Lecture: Water Conservation
Join The Reserve as we host Nate Adams from Santa Margarita Water District for an informative lecture on Water Conservation. Learn where our water comes from and how to best conserve water at home.
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: Participants must be registered by 2:00 pm on Wednesday, July 12.
| When: | July 12, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 35 |
Astronomy Night
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, July 14.
| When: | July 15, 2017, 8:45 pm – 10:45 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 18 (out of 25) |
Remarkable Reptiles! at Ladera Ranch Library
Tortoises, lizards and snakes….oh my! Discover some of the amazing ways these cold-blooded creatures survive in southern California and even meet some of our remarkable reptile friends!
Ages: Recommended 5 - 10
Please note: Registration not required, walk-ins welcome. Ladera Ranch Library located at: 29551 Sienna Pkwy, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694.
For more information, please call Ladera Ranch Library at 949-234-5940.
| When: | July 17, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Library |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
Astronomy Night
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, Aug. 11.
| When: | August 12, 2017, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 21 (out of 25) |
Tarantulas and Other Many-Legged Critters of the Night Walk
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.
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, August 18.
| When: | August 19, 2017, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 24 (out of 25) |
Fire Watch Training
Help out your community by becoming a South Orange County Fire Watch volunteer!
Training will focus on: understanding basic fire behavior, identifying signs of wildfire, dealing with suspect behavior, providing useful fire information, and contacting proper fire authorities.
| When: | August 23, 2017, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Ladera Ranch Fire Station 58 |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |