Activity Cards

As the day starts to settle into the night in OCParks’ Irvine Ranch Open Space, bats awaken, stir and streak into the evening sky. Come hear fascinating tales of our flying mammals. We will head out towards a popular roosting location as we watch our nighttime heroes begin their nightly adventures. This program is ideal to visually observe the bats in flight, though bat detectors are available to listen for their high-frequency calls. Be prepared to walk about 1/2 a mile. Dress warmly as it may be a chilly evening. A camping chair is welcome as we will enjoy an extended period of time listening for bats that fly about in the night.

Unwind from the week and get in the weekend mindset by getting out in nature! Experience the serenity of Bommer Canyon during this moderate-paced hike in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. We’ll experience mature coastal sage scrub and fantastic views overlooking the city of Irvine and hillsides to the north. This hike is just over 3 miles and includes 700 feet of total climbing elevation with several very steep climbs. The steepest section ascends 300 feet in a quarter mile. Participants must be in good physical shape and should be able to hike steep hills.

For Wildfire Awareness Month, spend the morning learning about fire dependency, resiliency and plant management in Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve. Curious to learn about the plants among us, who’s sus and who’s not? Join us for a hike where we’ll look at local flora, talk about native and non-native species, and learn how different plants impact our ecosystems. Learning to identify plants, both native and non-native, is a great way to cultivate knowledge about local flora and fauna!

This activity is geared towards participants who are curious about our local plants and ecosystem. Please bring water and all items needed to keep you safe during our walk. Hats and sunscreen are highly recommended as there is no shade along this route.