Activity Cards

In collaboration with United States Geological Survey, IRC staff and volunteers will be monitoring vernal pools located at Shoestring and Irvine Mesa. They will survey for activity in the pools and note down the status and conditions of the pools. The goal is to give periodic updates on the pools to USGS and notify them when any spadefoot toads have reached the metamorph stage.

This activity is for the Mesa pools and we will be meeting in Building D at the IRC office. Staff or volunteer driver will drive volunteers to the Mesa gate and up to the ponds if trails conditions allow. If transportation is unavailable, volunteers will be asked to park and hike in from the Mesa gate or to park at the library of the canyons and use the library trail. Volunteers will be notified if this is the case.

There is one slot for a volunteer driver. If you happen to be a driver and the slot is filled but you still wish to help with the survey, you can still sign up as a normal volunteer participant.

Please sanitize your boots and any of your own equipment after visiting the pools, especially if you signed up to go to both shoestring and the mesa pools in the same week. USGS recommends a 16:1 bleach solution but alcohol and other cleaning agents will do. We will sanitize equipment that we provide such as waders, thermometers, and secchi disks.

In collaboration with United States Geological Survey, IRC staff and volunteers will be monitoring vernal pools located at Shoestring and Irvine Mesa. They will survey for activity in the pools and note down the status and conditions of the pools. The goal to give periodic updates on the pools to USGS and notify them when any spadefoot toads have reached the metamorph stage.

This activity is for the Shoestring pools and we will be meeting in Building D at the IRC office. Staff or volunteer driver will drive volunteers to the shoestring gate and up to the ponds if trails conditions allow. If transportation is unavailable, volunteers will be asked to hike in from Augustine staging or the Shoestring gate. Volunteers will be notified if this is the case.

There is one slot for a volunteer driver. If you happen to be a driver and the slot is filled but you still wish to help with the survey, you can still sign up as a normal volunteer participant.

Please sanitize your boots and any of your own equipment after visiting the pools, especially if you signed up to go to both shoestring and the mesa pools in the same week. USGS recommends a 16:1 bleach solution but alcohol and other cleaning agents will do. We will sanitize equipment that we provide such as waders, thermometers, and secchi disks.

Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in enhancing the Bay’s habitat for local wildlife. Activities may include non-native plant removal, planting natives, watering, trash cleanup, and Butterfly Garden maintenance. No experience is necessary; please bring a hat, sunscreen, snacks, refillable water bottle, etc. Water and tools are provided.

Minors ages 16 and younger must have a legal guardian present at all times.

The program and parking are free. Adverse weather will cancel the event.

Space is limited, so please register to reserve your space (especially for groups.) Walk-ins are welcome but will be accepted based on availability.