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.
Caspers Park Foundation Nature Talk
Reservations are not necessary for this event.
This nature-themed lecture is held in association with the monthly meeting of Caspers Park Foundation (CPF) volunteers.
Subject: Bird Photography
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 2, 2019, 10:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | Caspers Wilderness Park |
| Information: | Available Spaces: Unlimited |
Monday Trail Clearing and Weeding
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, November 3.
| When: | November 4, 2019, 7:30 am – 9:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 |
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, November 9.
| When: | November 9, 2019, 8:00 am – 11:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 19 (out of 20) |
Presentation: Native Plants and their Uses
Have you ever wondered how California Indians cured a headache or eased the symptoms of the common cold? Or what plants were used to build houses, boats or hunting tools? Join us as naturalist and docent Janine Petersen discusses the medicinal, spiritual and practical uses of native plants. This lecture will be a hands-on look at the plants and the objects used by California Indians.
Ages: 8 and up
| When: | November 21, 2019, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | Guest House in Rancho Mission Viejo |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 68 (out of 75) |
Family Astronomy Night
Discover the stars at this kid-friendly, family-oriented Astronomy Night. Join The Reserve and OC Astronomers for a "stellar" evening learning about space. Play astronomy themed games and activities, put together a star craft to take home, and listen to legends and stories about the Night Sky. The Orange County Astronomers will bring their telescopes for everyone to take a glance at the galaxy, as they share their knowledge of the planets and stars.
Interpretation Level: High
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 22.
| When: | November 23, 2019, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 0 |
Ridge to Ridge Hike
Celebrate the end of fall with a 3.5 mile loop hike on The Reserve. This hike will traverse along Middle Ridge to North Ridge and provides some breathtaking views.
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate with some strenuous hills
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, December 6.
| When: | December 7, 2019, 8:00 am – 10:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 15 (out of 25) |
Holiday Nature Crafting
Enjoy a cool, winter morning creating treasured keepsakes and personalized gifts made from natural and recycled materials. Take a winter plant walk around the area as we look for natural treasures for our winter plant bundles. Enjoy making personalized holiday cards, pinecone crafts, handprint keepsakes, upcycled gift tags, and "tree cookie" ornaments!
Ages: All
Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, December 13th.
| When: | December 14, 2019, 9:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 40 |
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, December 13.
| When: | December 14, 2019, 8:00 am – 11:30 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 20 |
Christmas Bird Count
Join experienced birders for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Over the years, more than 80 species of birds have been seen at The Reserve. How many will we see in 2019? Join us and find out!! BRING: Binoculars & field guide if you have them, if not we have plenty for you to borrow. Visit Audubon's website to learn more about the CBC, one of the oldest "citizen science" events in the nation.
This bird count will take place alongside a private road. Counters will drive from site to site to look, listen and count the birds. Please wear neutral colored clothing.
Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 10 and up
Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, December 18.
| When: | December 19, 2019, 8:00 am – 11:00 am |
|---|---|
| Where: | The Richard and Donna O'Neill Conservancy |
| Information: | Available Spaces: 26 (out of 30) |