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.
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 |
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| Where: | Ladera Ranch Fire Station 58 |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 19 (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: Starr Ranch Audubon
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: | September 2, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
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| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Volunteer Orientation and Training
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 preserve Reserve lands through conservation and education.
CERTIFIED RESERVE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM:
This training is the first step in becoming a Certified Reserve Volunteer. Certified Reserve Volunteers are specially trained volunteers that lead and co-lead Reserve programs.
Ages: 18 and up
| When: | September 6, 2017, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
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| Where: | RMV Presentation Center |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 22 (out of 25) |
Lecture: Living with Wildlife
Join us for an informative workshop as we learn all about Orange County’s wildlife – both plants and animals. Reserve Executive Director Laura Coley Eisenberg will discuss how to identify our local flora and fauna, and what to do when you encounter them on the trail or at home.
Ages: 8 and up
Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 6:00 pm, September 13.
| When: | September 13, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
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| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 48 (out of 50) |
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, Sept. 8.
| When: | September 23, 2017, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm |
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| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 12 (out of 25) |
North Ridge Hike
Welcome in the first weekend of Fall with a hike out to North Ridge and back along Shady Canyon.
Interpretation Level: Minimal
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Trail Length: 4.25 miles (loop)
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 22.
| When: | September 23, 2017, 7:00 am – 9:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Cristianitos Trail (Talega) in San Clemente (The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy) |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 18 (out of 25) |
Investigating Habitats Family Walk
Investigate the many different nests, burrows and holes of animals on the Reserve. Discover how native animals design and build the habitats they call home and how you can help protect them.
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, Sept 29th.
| When: | September 30, 2017, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
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| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 (out of 25) |
Monday Weeding and Restoration
Join Reserve staff for a Monday morning maintaining The Reserve!
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Sunday, October 1.
| When: | October 2, 2017, 7:30 am – 9:30 am |
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| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Saturday Trail Clearing and Weeding
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, October 13.
| When: | October 14, 2017, 8:00 am – 11:30 am |
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| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Lecture: The Moon - A Look at our Nearest Neighbor in Space
In this informative presentation, volunteer astronomer, Spencer Murray, will answer questions you may have about the Moon. What is is the origin of the Moon? What causes the Moon's phases? Why don't lunar eclipses occur every month? What is the Moon's effect on our tides? Why did we send men to the Moon and what have we learned? Is there really a man in the Moon? Plus many more.
Ages: 8 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 6:00pm on October 25.
| When: | October 25, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
International Observe the Moon Night
International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) is an annual worldwide public event that encourages observation, appreciation, and understanding of our Moon.
Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the heavens, learn about The Moon, 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 Thursday, Oct. 27.
| When: | October 28, 2017, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm |
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| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 23 (out of 25) |