Ladera Ranch Nature Hike

Online, October 7, 2010 (Newswire.com) - WHAT:
The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo is hosting a guided nature hike in the scenic, preserved areas of the Chiquita Ridge Open Space, in the South Orange County Community of Ladera Ranch. This moderate to strenuous hilly two-mile hike will offer expansive views of Ladera Ranch on one side and native grasslands and rolling hills in their golden fall splendor on the other.

This FREE event is open to the general public (donations will be welcomed). Participants are encouraged to wear hiking boots and be ready to get their heart pumping!

Space is limited to the first 20 people who register their participation.

WHO:
Professional Botanist Tony Bomkamp will be conducting the hike, and will share interesting facts about the plants and animals that reside in the indigenous Coastal Sage Scrub habitat of Chiquita Ridge. Participants will be able to see fall colors in the brick-hued buckwheat, golden grasslands and evergreen lemonade berry, and possibly hear the unique kitten-like call of the endangered California gnatcatcher. The event is hosted by The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo, a non-profit organization which serves as the steward of what will be a vast habitat reserve encompassing 16,536 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo in addition to other preserved lands. The goal of The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo is to preserve and enhance the Rancho Mission Viejo Habitat Reserve Lands for ecological, recreational, scientific, open space, conservation, educational and even charitable use. To learn more, visit www.RanchoMissionViejo.com and click on "Open Space."

WHEN:
Saturday, November 6, 2010, from 9 am to 11:30 am

WHERE:
Meet at the Trail Staging Area behind Laurel Terrace Apartments, 2000 Corporate Drive, Ladera Ranch, CA 92694

HOW:
Registration is required. To reserve your space, please email the Reserve Manager at [email protected] and provide your name, contact phone number and the number of people in your party.