Join Rosy the Snake at The Nature House at Ranch Camp in Rancho Mission Viejo. We'll be reading a nature-themed book, playing games, and visiting with Rosy the rosy boa snake.

Ages: 2-5 w/accompanying adult

The active season for many snakes starts at the end of spring when they come out of hibernation. Snakes play an important role in the balance of nature, even the dangerous ones. In this presentation, local herpetologist, Steve Bledsoe, will share how to readily identify a dangerous snake, not only here in Orange County, but in all of California and most of the western States. You will also learn what to do if you encounter a dangerous snake in the wild, and what to do if you are bitten by one.

*No live, dangerous snakes will be present. This presentation will feature realistic, handpainted replicas as we learn to identify dangerous snakes. 

Ages: Recommended 8 and up.

Registration for this event closes March 23rd at 2:00pm.

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature 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 Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

Ages: Adult, 18 and up

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

Come explore with amateur butterfly enthusiast Gary Meredith and learn to identify butterflies – a relaxing and fun activity. How many species will we find during our walk through the ever-changing palette of habitats? Learn how to recognize our common butterflies. Find out about hill topping and territorial behavior as you hike the trails of The Nature Reserve.

Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy-moderate
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday March 24.

Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the night sky, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our guest astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (What to bring: warm clothing, flashlight with red cellophane/lens to reduce light pollution, binoculars, optional beach chair.)

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

Join us for an morning learning about The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo! Find out how you can explore the lands and the trails that make up The Nature Reserve. Hear about The Nature Reserve’s role in local habitat conservation and how you can have a part in this effort.

• Get local wildlife and trail information
• Meet staff and volunteers
• Enjoy coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and snacks
• Ask all your Nature Reserve questions

Presentation from 9:15 am – 9:45 am. Stop by for short time or stay for the entire program. Staff are available for questions before and after the presentation.

Drop off the kids for a morning at The Nature House to explore and discover the wonders of spring! Register for one day, two days, or all three! Each day includes hands-on, discovery activities in nature, a hike on the Ranch Camp Loop trail, and a craft.

Springtime Reptiles!: Meet The Nature Reserve’s reptile animal ambassadors as we learn about reptile behaviors in springtime and become snake safe on the trail. Find out how to help protect habitats for reptiles and other animals. Make and take a remarkable reptile craft!

Trail Length/Difficulty: Ranch Camp Loop Trail is a 1 mile, easy-moderate (for kids) trail. 
Ages: 6 - 11 years old
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Drop off begins at 8:30 am) 

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by Monday, April 3 at 4 pm.

If registering for all three days, please only register once, selecting the "Three-Day" payment option. Your registration information will be added to each day. 

Programs led by Nature Reserve School Program staff who are Certified Interpretive Guides, Live Scan background checked, and First aid/CPR certified. Learn more about our team here.

Drop off the kids for a morning at The Nature House to explore and discover the wonders of spring! Register for one day, two days, or all three! Each day includes hands-on, discovery activities in nature, a hike on the Ranch Camp Loop trail, and a craft.

Wildflower Art in Nature: Create springtime nature art as we design and build using sticks, stones, flowers, leaves and more. Draw and watercolor springtime wildflowers on a hike along the Ranch Camp trail.  All skill levels welcome! All supplies will be provided.

Trail Length/Difficulty: Ranch Camp Loop Trail is a 1 mile, easy-moderate (for kids) trail.
Ages: 6 - 11 years old
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Drop off begins at 8:30 am)

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by Tuesday, April 4 at 4 pm.

If registering for all three days, please only register once, selecting the "Three-Day" payment option. Your registration information will be added to each day.

Programs led by Nature Reserve School Program staff who are Certified Interpretive Guides, Live Scan background checked, and First aid/CPR certified. Learn more about our team here.

Drop off the kids for a morning at The Nature House to explore and discover the wonders of spring! Register for one day, two days, or all three! Each day includes hands-on, discovery activities in nature, a hike on the Ranch Camp Loop trail, and a craft.

Earth Day is Every Day!: Celebrate Earth Day today and every day! Play wildly fun, outdoor eco-games to learn about the 5 R’s – reduce, reuse, recycle, rot, and repurpose! Then, hike the trail as we discover how to respect and protect plants and animals, including endangered species on The Nature Reserve. Make and take an upcycled craft!

Trail Length/Difficulty: Ranch Camp Loop Trail is a 1 mile, easy-moderate (for kids) trail.
Ages: 6 - 11 years old
Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am (Drop off begins at 8:30 am)

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by Wednesday, April 5 at 4 pm.

If registering for all three days, please only register once, selecting the "Three-Day" payment option. Your registration information will be added to each day.

Programs led by Nature Reserve School Program staff who are Certified Interpretive Guides, Live Scan background checked, and First aid/CPR certified. Learn more about our team here.

Join us at the first ever Earth Day Festival! 

Click on "Register" for more information. Registration not required. 

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature 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 Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

Ages: Adult, 18 and up

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

Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by helping maintain trails, restoring habitat and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! (BRING: Work gloves if you have them). Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Would you like to learn to identify some of our local feathered friends? Are you ready to start your “life list?” Enjoy a spring morning with docent and bird expert Gary Meredith while quietly combing The Nature Reserve for our resident and migrant birds.

This is a birding 101 event and will partially take place alongside a private road overlooking oak groves, grasslands and more.  Participants will initially drive on the road from site to site to look and listen for a variety of birds and later take a stroll to view other birds on our trails.

We encourage you to wear neutral/natural colored clothing and to bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them.

Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: 10 and up

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday April 21.

Celebrate Arbor Day with a twilight hike through the oaks and sycamores of The Reserve. Trees provide essential habitat for wildlife. They produce oxygen for the air we breathe. They give us shade and a place for kids to play.  Experience sunset among trees, enjoy their beauty and learn more about their significance.

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

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00pm on Thursday, April 27.

Enjoy a spring hike on this 3.5 mile loop. Hike along an old ranch road lined with Coast live oaks, then up to Middle Ridge for some breathtaking views, returning along Gato Road blooming with pops of colorful wildflowers.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate with some strenuous hills. Elevation gain 575 feet.
Ages: 10 and up

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, April 28.

Enjoy an evening outdoors, as you gaze into the night sky, learn the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our guest astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (What to bring: warm clothing, flashlight with red cellophane/lens to reduce light pollution, binoculars, optional beach chair.)

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

Named The Flower Moon because of wildflowers blooming in this time of year, May’s full moon provides the perfect light for nighttime discovery on The Nature Reserve. Join us for a moonlit adventure, exploring canyon trails bathed in moonlight.

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, May 4.

Volunteer to spend a few hours in beautiful surroundings helping The Nature Reserve. Join the crew dedicated to protecting our native ecosystems by clearing trails, restoring habitats, and eliminating weeds. Volunteer efforts make an impact! (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 3rd.

Please join us for Volunteer Orientation and Training!

This fun and informational orientation is the first step in joining us as an official Nature Reserve Volunteer. Learn about The Nature 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 Nature Reserve lands through conservation and education.

Ages: Adult, 18 and up

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

Fluttering flights and shimmering wings, these are some beautiful butterfly things! Learn about the beautiful butterflies in our backyards and beyond, as we go on an adventure walk along the Ranch Camp Loop trail. Create your own beautiful butterfly craft to take home!

Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy - Moderate
Ages: Recommended 2 - 5 years

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 19th.

Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. However, please only register the participating child/ren.

Enjoy a Sunday morning stroll on The Ranch. This open access event allows you to walk the length of Cristianitos Road. Cristianitos Road is a paved road with views of Ranch pastures and preserved habitat on The Nature Reserve. Explore the entire 6.8 miles (round trip) or just a mile or two - your choice.

Non-motorized scooter and bikes permitted for kids under the age of 12.

This is a non-guided program. Trail maps and information are provided at the event.
Participants must exit by event end time, regardless of arrival time. Please plan your selected arrival time accordingly.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Easy-moderate
Trail Length: 3.4 miles (one way)
Ages: All. Recommended 8 and up