(Buena Park, Calif.) – Join OC Parks on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Ralph B. Clark Regional Park for Prehistoric OC, a free family-friendly event celebrating local paleontology, archaeology and the rich natural and cultural history of Orange County. Visitors of all ages can enjoy fun crafts, games, live animal demonstrations and hands-on learning opportunities about ancient artifacts, fossils, prehistoric animals and more. Attendees are invited to participate in numerous educational activities and demonstrations from local cultural, paleontological and geological organizations. Food will also be available for purchase on-site.

Participants will have access to the Interpretive Center, which showcases fossils recovered within Clark Regional Park, northern Orange County's Coyote Hills and other surrounding areas. Volunteers will be stationed in the center’s fishbowl lab where visitors can view how fossils and artifacts are prepared for research and display.

“This family-friendly event is a wonderful opportunity for our community to learn about Orange County’s rich prehistoric past,” said Vice Chairman Doug Chaffee, Orange County Board of Supervisors. “People of all ages are encouraged to come explore local fossils and artifacts and learn more about the people, animals and cultural traditions that came before us.” 

Prehistoric OC honors California Archaeology Month, Indigenous People’s Day (Oct. 14), the National Park Service's National Fossil Day (Oct. 16) and the Archaeological Institute of America's International Archaeology Day (Oct. 19). 

Participants of all ages are encouraged to attend, and pets are welcome on leashes no longer than six feet. 

Prehistoric OC
Date: October 12
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Clark Regional Park 
Address: 8800 Rosecrans Ave., Buena Park, CA 90621
Website: www.ocparks.com/clarkpark
Cost: Free
Parking: Free 
Public Contact: (714) 973-3170 

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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

(Orange County, Calif.) – Join OC Parks, Newport Bay Conservancy and volunteers around the globe for Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay Saturday, Sept. 21. Lend a helping hand and make an impact on our coastlines as we work together to remove trash and recyclables from the marsh, waterway and beaches.

Every September, people across Orange County volunteer their time to clean up beaches and waterways, including Upper Newport Bay. With an increase in rain this year, the Upper Newport Bay team has an ambitious goal of removing more than 10,000 pounds of trash. Waste items harm wildlife, pollute waterways and threaten public health, making your support crucial.

“Coastal Cleanup Day at Upper Newport Bay is an annual reminder of the importance of keeping our beaches, waterways, estuaries, and bays clean for current and future generations to enjoy. I hope volunteers of all ages will join Team Foley this weekend as we preserve and protect our beautiful Newport Bay, the largest estuary in Orange County,” said Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley, who represents Upper Newport Bay on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. 

At least 1,000 volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to remove trash from the uplands and marsh areas of the Bay, as well as participate in the removal of invasive plant species. Volunteers will meet at different mini-cleanup sites around the 11-mile stretch of the Bay. Exact meeting locations will be shared prior to Sept. 21.

Participants are encouraged to wear old clothes and closed-toe shoes (tall/rubber boots are best). Remember to bring a refillable water bottle, reusable mask, gloves and a trash bag or bucket. A commemorative t-shirt will be given to volunteers.

Coastal Cleanup Day
Date: September 21
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Register: www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cleanup-day 
Cost: Free
Parking: Free 
Additional Event Partners: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, City of Newport Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper and Newport Aquatic Center

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• Chinese-Traditional
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OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com

The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit is now open to the public at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana (211 W. Santa Ana Blvd.). 

The exhibition features images depicting urban life and the Chicano experience between 1969 and 2001 and consists of limited-edition digital reproductions, known as giclées, of original paintings from 26 prominent Chicano artists from the private collection of actor and comedian, Cheech Marin. Marin's collection now serves as the foundation of The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum, which opened in June 2022.

Admission to The Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. beginning August 8 through the end of the year. Metered parking is available at the on-site lot and surrounding street parking. Additional parking is available at P8 (301 W. 5th Street). Parking fees apply. 

Guided school tours of the Old Orange County Courthouse and Chicano Collection/La Colección Chicana art exhibit are available Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning at 10 a.m. Tours are free of charge and approximately one hour, and include an overview of the courthouse, its history, architectural components, historic court cases and art exhibition. To schedule a tour, please contact oldcourthouse@ocparks.com or call (714) 973-6605.  

Inspired by the Japanese practice of "shinrin-yoku," or "forest bathing," this walk invites you to take a break from the busy world and immerse yourself in nature.  Throughout the program, you will be encouraged to explore your surroundings using all your senses to deepen your connection with nature.

This is a guided, slow-paced walk with frequent opportunities to meditate and relax, designed for participants ages 16 and older. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or other comfortable seating and their favorite tea or water for the closing tea ceremony. Please wear comfortable attire and be prepared to walk on uneven terrain.  

The program will begin outside the Santiago Oaks Nature Center. Please arrive on time to experience the full sequence of the program.

Registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at 657-253-3681 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Inspired by the Japanese practice of "shinrin-yoku," or "forest bathing," this walk invites you to take a break from the busy world and immerse yourself in nature.  Throughout the program, you will be encouraged to explore your surroundings using all your senses to deepen your connection with nature.

This is a guided, slow-paced walk with frequent opportunities to meditate and relax, designed for participants ages 16 and older. Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or other comfortable seating and their favorite tea or water for the closing tea ceremony.  Please wear comfortable attire and be prepared to walk on uneven terrain.  

The program will begin at Parking Lot P.  Please arrive on time to experience the full sequence of the program.

Registration is required. Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather will cancel the program.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at 657-253-3681 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Celebrate the longest night of the year by exploring the landscape of Irvine Regional Park as we set out to search for the nighttime critters that call this park home. From humble toads to graceful owls, you never know what you’ll see!

This program will begin in front of the Irvine Regional Park Nature Center near parking lot T.  Dressing in layers, wearing sturdy footwear and bringing water are recommended. Red-tinted flashlights are highly encouraged.  This hike is not recommended for very small children or strollers. Children must be accompanied by a guardian during the program.

The program is free and parking is $5 per vehicle. 

Registration is required for this program. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

We love the nightlife! Explore Peters Canyon Regional Park as we set out to search for nighttime critters that call the park home. From humble toads to graceful owls, you never know what you’ll see!

The program will begin outside the Peters Canyon Park Office.  Wearing layers, sturdy footwear and bringing water are recommended. Red-tinted flashlights are highly encouraged.  This hike is not recommended for very small children or strollers. Children must be accompanied by a guardian during the program.

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle. 

Advance registration is required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Join an experienced OC Parks Volunteer as you stroll through Santiago Oaks Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the scrubs for bouncing birds. Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends!  

This walk begins at the Santiago Oaks Nature Center. 

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.  Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

Join an experienced OC Parks volunteer as you stroll through Irvine Regional Park searching high in the trees for our flittering friends and low in the scrubs for bouncing birds.  Bring your binoculars, sun protection, comfortable shoes and an eye for spotting our feathered friends! 

This walk begins at the Irvine Regional Park Nature Center.   

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is recommended.  Learn more and register here.

Inclement weather will cancel the program. 

The program is free and parking is $3 per vehicle.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.

*This program will begin outside the Peters Canyon Regional Park Park Office and will proceed to the restoration site.*

Lend a helping hand to help improve native habitat at Peters Canyon Regional Park. Dedicate the morning to caring for our current and future restoration sites and help our native plants and shrubs thrive.  Be prepared for weeding, watering or planting as needed.

Strong gardening gloves, trail snacks, water, sun protection and wearing clothes you don’t mind getting dirty are highly recommended.

Program and parking are free. Parking passes will be made available to volunteers at check-in. Be prepared to hike a moderate distance to the restoration site with tools.

Advance registration required. Learn more and register here.

For questions, please contact resource specialist Shelly Marshall at (714) 973-6625 or shelly.marshall@ocparks.com.