Join us for an evening 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 drinks and snacks
• Ask all your Nature Reserve questions

Presentation from 7:15 pm – 7:45 pm. Stop by for short time or stay for the entire program. Staff are available for questions before and after the presentation.

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

Admire the expansive views and seasonal fall changes on a 3.5 mile hike along North Ridge and Middle Ridge trails.

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, September 22nd.

Calling bird watchers of all levels - beginners to expert! We invite you to migrate over to the Orchard Loop Trail for a morning of bird watching, as we offer you hot coffee and tea. Observe on your own, or with staff and volunteers. For beginning birders, volunteer birder and photographer, Gary Meredith will be onsite to help identify birds. We'll also have binoculars and bird guides available to borrow.

Complimentary tea and coffee provided. Please bring your own reusable mug. Nature Reserve mugs will also be available for purchase for $10.

Ages: 12 and up

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

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.

From the Jurassic to the Pleistocene, join geologist Aron Taylor on a journey through Orange County’s spectacular geologic history. This special evening includes a meet and greet with our speaker and a look at the unique geological features of historic Rancho Mission Viejo lands.

Enjoy geology themed small bites and cocktails. The evening includes food and one drink ticket. Additional beverages available for purchase. Non-alcoholic beverages options will be available.

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 (Volunteers under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.)

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 13th.

It's October Big Day, a time to unite through a shared love of birds! Enjoy a fall 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 safari-style 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. Binoculars will also be available at the event.

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

To learn more about October Big Day, visit: https://ebird.org/news/october-big-day-2023.

Please note: participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 13

Leaves on the ground, pumpkins and acorns all around! Fall is here! Explore the science of pumpkins, acorns, and leaves with fun fall experiments and a nature craft.

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

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 13th.

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

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

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 skies, learn about The Moon, the constellations, and peer through the telescopes of our volunteer astronomers. The Nature Reserve astronomers are all volunteers who enthusiastically share their telescopes and expert sky knowledge with you. (BRING: Warm clothing, Red cellophaned flashlight, binoculars)

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, Oct. 20th.

Calling bird watchers of all levels - beginners to expert! We invite you to migrate over for a morning of bird watching on a trail in Rancho Mission Viejo, as we offer you hot tea or coffee. Observe on your own, or with staff and volunteers. For beginning birders, volunteer birder and photographer, Gary Meredith will be onsite to help identify birds. We'll also have binoculars and bird guides available to borrow.

Complimentary tea and coffee provided. Please bring your own reusable mug. Nature Reserve mugs will also be available for purchase for $10.

Ages: 12 and up

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

Join Rosy the snake and Buckwheat the tortoise for a fun morning at The Nature House. We'll be reading a nature-themed book, playing games, and visiting with reptiles.

Ages: All (Recommended 3-5) w/accompanying adult

October’s full moon provided the light needed for hunting during the night. Come learn about local Native American hunting techniques and enjoy a moonlit hike under the Full Hunter’s Moon.

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

Bats are amazing! Spiders aren’t scary. Let’s make Halloween a little more merry! Join us for a morning of nature exploration and play as we learn about the “boo-tiful” animals of the Reserve like owls, bats and spiders! Make and take a recycled owl craft.

Interpretation Level: Medium
Difficulty Level: Easy
Ages: All

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, October 27th. Please register ALL attendees. 

This is a strenuous trail with hills that follow the ridgeline between Sendero and Esencia.

Interpretation Level: Low
Difficulty Level: Moderate - Strenuous
Trail Length: 2.2 miles (one way)
Ages: Recommended 10 and up

Open Access events are for Rancho Mission Viejo residents only

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 (Volunteers under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.)

Please note: participants must be registered by 4:00 pm on Friday, November 10th.

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.

An acorn's adventure begins as a seed…until one day it grows into a mighty oak tree! A squirrel or a bird may stash it away as food for himself on a cold winter day. Take an adventure walk among the oaks and play acorn games to learn how people and animals depend on this important seed. Celebrate fall with an awesome acorn craft! 

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

Children must be accompanied by a participating adult. However, due to limited spaces, please ONLY register for the number of child spaces you would like to reserve. Registration name may be the adult or child's name with adult contact information.

Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4:00 pm on Friday, November 10th.

Join Anthropologist and Chairwoman of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachmen Nation, Heidi Lucero, as she speaks on how indigenous groups are preserving their culture by reviving the use of traditional foods. This special evening includes a meet and greet with our speaker and a tasting of foods and beverages using indigenous ingredients but modified for modern tastes.

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