Irvine Ranch Conservancy

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Want to experience the wildlands while making a positive difference? As a volunteer for IRC you can enjoy the land and help others discover the natural wonders that exist in south Orange County. Click on one of the links below to join our team as a volunteer!
Click here to view IRC Volunteer Video

Irvine Ranch wildlands & parks

City of Irvine Open Space Preserve - South

WILDLANDS AND PARKS

Volunteer Program

One of the most rewarding ways to experience the beauty of the wildlands and parks and The Irvine Ranch National Natural Landmark is as a volunteer. Volunteers have a crucial role in the land, whether it is leading an interpretive mountain-bike ride through Fremont Canyon or teaching middle school students about ecosystems in Limestone Canyon or helping to maintain a trail near Bommer Canyon, planting oaks near Weir Canyon or patrolling the land during Red Flag Alerts to deter and detect wildfires. We invite you to explore the land and join us in preserving it for years to come. Some of our volunteers have been working on the land for more than 12 years!

New volunteers are always needed and can participate in any number of ways:

	Docents Volunteer docents are highly trained in interpretation and lead nature tours (hikes, mountain-bike rides, equestrian rides) throughout the wildlands and parks. These tours are highly varied and range from easy strolls to observe and learn about spring wildflowers to strenuous bike rides up mountain peaks. Those interested in becoming docents are required to take a Naturalist Training Class offered in the fall or spring at several locations including local community colleges. The class teaches about the local wildlands as well as the different agencies that manage them. After completing the class, interested volunteers may then apply to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy to become a docent. If interested, please submit a volunteer interest and information form through this web site or call (714) 508-4757.
	Trail Guides Volunteer Trail Guides assist Docents with interpretive nature tours (hikes, mountain-bike rides, equestrian rides). Trail Guides may also assist with program registration, group management, setup and cleanup, and act as sweeps during hikes and rides. Many Trail Guides use this level as a path to become Docents, although it is not mandatory. Does this sound more like you? Then please submit a volunteer interest and information form through this web site or call (714) 508-4757.
	Trail Boss Volunteer Trail Bosses assist in managing trail and habitat maintenance and restoration projects. After training and certification, Trail Bosses will supervise and lead groups of volunteer land stewards on scheduled stewardship projects and trail maintenance activities. Sound interesting? Find out by submitting a volunteer interest and information form through this web site or call (714) 508-4757.
	Land Steward Program The Irvine Ranch Conservancy will establish scheduled stewardship opportunities and invites all those interested to participate. No previous training is required – just a willingness to work hard and help the land. Projects include exotic weed removal, wildlife studies, trail maintenance, and seed collecting and planting. Come out and join us! Simply submit a volunteer interest and information form through this web site or call (714) 508-4757. You will be notified of up coming events.
	General Volunteers Volunteers are always welcome for general purposes. To engage the local community, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy regularly participates in festivals and promotional events. These events are excellent opportunities for volunteers to contribute. We are also thrilled to have volunteers who can do clerical work or other general office tasks.. If you are interested, submit a Volunteer Interest and Information form through this web site or call (714) 508-4757.

IRVINE OPEN SPACE PRESERVE - SOUTH

City of Irvine OSPS Volunteer Program

Join our team of energetic and committed volunteers and help preserve and share Irvine's 4,100-acre Open Space Preserve - South! The City’s Open Space Preserve is a mosaic of habitats including, wetlands, oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub. It contains some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the world and is right in the backyard of most Irvine residents. This scenic land provides both preservation of critically important plants and wildlife, as well as an area for recreation and respite.

Whether you are an expert botanist or new to the outdoors, volunteer opportunities are available! We are looking for enthusiastic, responsible leaders to help conduct public programs and assist with land management. These programs consist of a variety of hiking, running, equestrian and biking tours as well as stewardship projects. All volunteers will be trained and provided with the necessary tools to be a successful open space volunteer.