CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY - ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER 

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) is a statewide non-profit organization of amateurs and professionals with a common interest in California's native plants. The Society, working through its local chapters, seeks to increase understanding of California's native flora and to preserve this rich resource for future generations. Membership is open to all. CNPS members have diverse interests including: natural history; bontany; ecology; conservation; photography; drawing; hiking; gardening.

The Orange County CNPS Chapter meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at the Duck Club in Irvine. The doors open at 6:45 PM for food, fellowship, interest centers, and more. The program begins at 7:30 PM.

Directions to Duck Club

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF IRVINE

New to Irvine and want to get involved? Recently retired and have some extra hours to fill? A stay-at-home mom who wants adult interaction? An empty nester who enjoys volunteering? A professional who wants to give back to her community? Be part of this nationally recognized, dynamic group of like-minded women: the Assistance League® of Irvine. New members are welcome anytime. For further information, visit National Assistance League's website or call (949) 798-5020.

• Assistance League of Irvine Thrift and Gift Shop: This shop features gently used clothing, household items, toys, books, shoes and much more. Donations welcome during normal business hours: Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Address: 2452 Alton Parkway (between Jamboree and Von Karman), Irvine. Call (949) 955-3437 for further details.
  
  Assistance League of Irvine is a non-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to providing programs and services that will enrich and improve the quality of life in Irvine

BACK TO NATIVES RESTORATION

USFS and Back to Natives Habitat Training Program - 2/16/2012  to 3/24/2012

The United States Forest Service & Back to Natives is presenting a Volunteer Restoration Training Program for six weeks on Thursdays and Saturdays in 2012.

Ecological restoration is a means of sustaining the diversity of life on Earth and reestablishing healthy ecosystems. This program is for those interested in the restoration and conservation of Orange County wild lands. Successful habitat restoration ensures that native species are protected while non-native species are removed efficiently, and with minimal human impact to the site.

Lecture classes will be held at the Tustin REI Community Room. Field labs will be in the Cleveland National Forest and other locations within Orange County.

Tuition:  $60 for volunteer and $300 for agency/organization staff.
For full details, call (949) 509-4787 or visit http://www.backtonatives.org/usfs.shtml

INSIDE THE OUTDOORS

Inside the Outdoors is a unique and hands-on environmental education program administered by the Orange County Department of Education. Their mission is to empower students, teachers, parents and the community to explore natural areas and expand their knowledge. The curriculum created for Inside the Outdoors programs is aligned with California Science and Social Studies standards.

IRVINE FINE ARTS CENTER

The Irvine Fine Arts Center is open to the public Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.  The Art Center is closed on Sunday. For more information, call (949) 724-6880 or visit Irvine Fine Arts Center.

COOMUNITY-BASED HABITAT RESTORATION SPONSORED BY THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION 

Habitat destruction and degradation are among our most serious environmental crises, causing species extinctions and threatening many remaining wildlife populations around the world. In California, population growth and associated coastal development have caused the loss of over 90 percent of our wetlands. Although the passage of environmental laws in the 1970s, including the California Coastal Act, has helped to slow this decline, many remaining wetlands continue to be threatened by development and are degraded by poor water quality, invasive species, and other threats. In addition to making sure that no more loss occurs, an important new challenge is to restore wetlands and other critical habitat wherever feasible.

Learn about the California Coastal Commission's community restoration programs and resources:

Community-Based Restoration and Education Program at the Upper Newport Bay

Digging In: A Guide to Community-Based Habitat Restoration

Our Wetlands, Our World - A High School Activity Guide to Upper Newport Bay

Keep up-to-date on our events and see photos at www.facebook.com/cbrep.  

To contribute financial support to the California Coastal Commission's nonprofit fiscal sponsor, the Tides Center, please visit http://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/UNBweb/restore.html and click on the “Donate Now” button.

THE IRVINE MUSEUM

The Irvine Museum is dedicated to the preservation and display of California art of the Impressionist Period (1890 - 1930). The museum's current exhibit, "All Things Bright & Beautiful," will be on display November 10, 2010 through June 11, 2011. 

"All Things Bright & Beautiful" is a traveling exhibition comprised of 58 important California Impressionist paintings from the collections of The Irvine Museum.

Located at 18881 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 100, Irvine, 92612, The Irvine Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. For more information and directions call (949) 476-2565.

LAKE FOREST GARDEN CLUB

Lake Forest Garden Club meets on the third Friday of the month, September through June. at 9:30 a.m. Meetings are held at the Lake Forest Beach and Tennis Club, 22921 Ridge Route Drive, Lake Forest. Visit Lake Forest Garden Club for more information.

 

FAMILIES FORWARD

FOOD DONATIONS URGENTLY NEEDED: 100+ families a week access the Families Forward food bank. Non-perishable food donations are in great need due to this continued volume of families being served. Most needed items include cereal, peanut butter, marinara/pasta sauce, canned baked & refried beans, canned chicken, fish, pasta and rice.

Serving the community since 1984, Families Forward’s mission is to help families in need achieve and maintain self-sufficiency through housing, counseling, education and other support services.  Help support these families through financial donations as well as food donations. Grocery and gas gift cards are also needed.

Donations can be brought to Families Forward, 9221 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618,  Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm or Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For further information about Families Forward, visit www.families-forward.org or contact the food drive coordinator at fooddrives@famiies-forward.org or (949) 379-8326.

All food distributed is donated from the community. Families Forward appreciates the support!

LEADERSHIP TOMORROW

Leadership Tomorrow is a non-profit organization whose mission is to expand knowledge, empower citizens and promote community involvement through an education program in civic awareness and leadership. Applications are accepted from adults who live or work in the communities of Irvine, Newport Beach or Costa Mesa. Classes meet once a month and give participants a behind-the-scenes look in areas such as healthcare, education, criminal justice, local government and the arts in Orange County. Information and applications are available at www.leadershiptomorrow.org or by calling (949) 729-4411

NEWPORT BAY CONSERVANCY - Weekend Kayak Tours



Newport Bay Conservancy is a volunteer-driven, community-based organization and non-profit corporation dedicated to: preserving and restoring the ecosystems of Upper Newport Bay educating the public about the ecological value of the Bay and its watershed and helping ensure compatible public use.

Newport Bay Conservancy offers a 2-hour guided tour of the Back Bay in the heart of Newport Beach every Saturday and Sunday morning, year-round. Tours leave from the Newport Aquatic Center at 10:00 a.m. They are suitable for both novices and experienced paddlers alike. Cost is $20.00 per person, eight and older.

Newport Bay Conservancy's trained Naturalists have been conducting water tours here at the Back Bay for twenty years. They begin with a quick lesson on how to paddle and then lead the participants into the Ecological Reserve. They make several stops where they discuss various aspects of the ecology and wildlife of the Bay.

Each tour is unique with startling differences in the birds and other wildlife seen depending on the season and the state of the tide. In summer the open-water skimmers and terns that come here to nest predominate. In winter there is a huge abundance and diversity of shorebirds, ducks and grebes that have migrated from Canada and Alaska. Most participants think that the winter kayak tours are actually the best!

To book a tour, please call (949) 923-2269.

Bring sun protection, even in winter, and be prepared to get wet.

ORANGE COUNTY COASTKEEPER

Orange County CoastKeeper is a non-profit environmental organization working to protect and preserve the local coastal marine environment and watershed. CoastKeeper needs your help and monetary contributions to continue its work! To volunteer or donate to CoastKeeper, call (949) 723-5424 or visit www.coastkeeper.org

SEA AND SAGE AUDUBON ACTIVITIES

• Monthly General Meeting & Program - 3^rd Friday evening, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Duck Club in the IRWD San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary.  See website for meeting information. 
• Monthly Bird Walks at the Marsh - 2^nd Sunday morning of each month, 8 a.m. to 12 noon in the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary.  Meet in front of Audubon House.  Directions & information. 
• Monthly Bird Walks at the Upper Newport Bay - Last Sunday morning of each month (except Dec. 25), 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Group meets in the Big Canyon parking lot in Newport Beach, which is on Back Bay Drive. For details call (949) 786-3160.
• Visit the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary - Sea and Sage Audubon House, located at the IRWD San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. There is a small natural history museum, book store, gift shop, a reference library, a large flat-screen monitor showing beautiful photos of the sanctuary and its wildlife, as well as free trail maps and bird lists. A volunteer is on duty every day to answer questions.
• Audubon House Volunteers Needed. Answer phones, greet guests, and staff Audubon House. Shifts are four hours once a week or month. If you're interested, please call Judy Fritts at (949) 551-4513.
• Calling all Nature Lovers, Artists and Retired Teachers: Teaching effectively is a skill that  takes many years to develop, but sharing a love of nature can be done by anyone. We are currently looking for special individuals who are willing to teach effectively and share nature with school children in the beautiful setting of a wetland habitat for our two outdoor science programs for elementary school children. Website information.
  
• Become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea and Sage Audubon Chapter. For more information visit their website or call the Audubon House at (949) 261-7963.

SHADETREE PARTNERSHIP

Shadetree Partnership is a volunteer organization that promotes more liveable communities through the planting and stewardship of shade trees. Shadetree Partnership sponsors volunteer events at its nursery on Anteater Drive on the University of California, Irvine campus.

• Community service hours are available for all volunteer tree planting activities.  Dates for upcoming 2012 Shadetree Partnership Nursery events are: Saturday, Feb. 25, Mar. 24, Apr. 21, May 19, June 16, July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8, Oct. 6n  Nov. 3 and Dec. 1 . The hours for the events are 8:30 to 11 a.m.
• For these Saturday volunteer events, projects will include upgrading trees into larger containers, weeding, staking, raking and other gardening tasks. No experience is necessary, as Shadetree will have staff available to train any volunteers in these projects.
• If it is raining, the event will be cancelled. Details for each event will be posted on www.shadetreepartnership.org, where volunteers may register online for future Shadetree Partnership events. For more information call (949) 453-5312.

STOP AND SWAP PROGRAM

The Irvine Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center recently began a new program called Stop and Swap. This program is designed to help the county reduce its cost of disposing of materials which cannot be safely disposed of with regular trash, such as paint, batteries, pesticides, pool chemicals, etc. Stop and Swap now allows residents to pick up usable materials which other residents have dropped off. "Swapping" helps residents reduce and reuse materials, helping to keep landfills, and ultimately our water supplies, free of hazardous wastes.

Stop and Swap is available during the center's regular hours of 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, except for holidays and rainy days. The center is located at 6411 Oak Canyon Avenue, off Sand Canyon Avenue between Irvine Center Drive and the Santa Ana Freeway.  For more information call (714) 834-6752.

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL - Tuesdays from 7 to 8 a.m.

The general public is invited to visit a meeting or join the Toastmasters International "Water Meeters" Club #6492. The mission of the club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has the opportunity to develop communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth. 

The "Water Meeters" Club # 6492 meets every Tuesday from 7 to 8 a.m. in the Irvine Ranch Water District office building at 15600 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine. For more information call Debbie Kanoff at (949) 453-5876.

TUCKER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is a 12-acre non-profit nature reserve located in the heart of Modjeska Canyon adjacent to the Cleveland National Forest. In addition to serving as a research center for Cal State Fullerton students, faculty and others, Tucker is open to the public to enjoy and learn about the local wildlife and natural habitat in the Southern California canyon area.
  
  
• Tucker's address is 29322 Modjeska Canyon Road, Modjeska Canyon, CA 92676. For more information visit www.tuckerwildlife.org or call (714) 649-2760.