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.
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 |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 18 (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 |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
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: Southern California Wildlife Monitoring and Mangement
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: | October 7, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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: 34 (out of 50) |
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 |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 13 (out of 26) |
Full Moon Hike
Enjoy the November Full Moon on The Reserve! Listen for owls, bats, and other spooky creatures of the night while we hike beneath the moonlit oaks.
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 Thursday, November 2.
| When: | November 3, 2017, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 22 (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: Beekeeper
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: | November 4, 2017, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Monday Morning Stewardship Project
Join Reserve staff for a Monday morning of preparing our headquarters for upcoming school field trips. This includes:
- Working on our Natural Playscape
- Restoring existing trails
- Creating a new pathway through our native garden
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Sunday, November 5.
| When: | November 6, 2017, 7:30 am – 9:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Lecture: The Wonderful Life of a Dying Tree
Did you know that trees benefit more species of wildlife when they are dead than alive? Learn about the habitat value of dead trees, often referred to as snags or Wildlife Trees. Gillian Martin, Director of The Cavity Conservation Initiative, will forever alter your view of a dying tree and illustrate its commendable destiny.
Ages: 8 and up
Participants must be registered or on the wait list by Wednesday, November 8 by 6:00 pm.
| When: | November 8, 2017, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 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, Nov. 10.
| When: | November 11, 2017, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 21 (out of 25) |
"Thanks-nature" Family Walk
Bees give us honey, trees give us air...let's thank nature and show we care! This Thanksgiving holiday season enjoy a trail walk to say "thanks" to nature for all of its gifts. Make and take a fall nature craft.
Activities and craft recommended for ages 6 - 11 years, but all ages (6 and up) are welcome to attend.
Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 6 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, November 10th.
| When: | November 11, 2017, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 25 |
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
| When: | November 11, 2017, 8:00 am – 11:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |