Give those who matter most to you the gift of quality time together outdoors this Valentine’s Day.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom; the sun is out a bit longer each night; and if you look up in the sky, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of raptors courting – all sure signs Valentine’s Day is nearing in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Rather than book a reservation at a crowded, overpriced restaurant to celebrate, surprise your loved one this year with an outdoor adventure.

​Whether it’s a romantic night hike, an adventurous outing, or an excursion for the whole family, show the people who matter most to you one of the most special sights in Orange County by exploring the Landmarks together this Valentine’s Day. Read more below to see which activity is right for you.

Learn about native plants while volunteering at the Native Seed Farm.

With the lack of rainfall this year, many habitat restoration project managers have had to regroup and re-strategize. One of those projects is the Dripping Springs Trail restoration project in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers made good progress at the beginning of the year, but planting season ended with many seedlings left for next year.

The Conservancy wants to make sure that the seedlings will still be viable for the next planting season, and they seek volunteer help with transplanting about 500 shrub seedlings. Moving the seedlings to larger containers will help foster growth and ensure the plants remain healthy. So far, about 520 plants have been transplanted by volunteers and Conservancy staff. The goal is to plant at least 500 more shrubs along the trail in order to fully support the restoration project.

Progress is being made despite a dry planting season.

When the Dripping Springs trail was closed for restoration last year, no one could have predicted the profound lack of rainfall for the area in 2013. Despite historic drought levels, many members of the community have rallied to make progress in transforming this former ranch road in Limestone Canyon into a single-track trail.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and OC Parks staff had expected the trail to be restored and re-opened in mid-2014, but the lack of rain may affect that projection. The Conservancy field operations team will evaluate the progress this month, but staff are still working to keep the project moving forward.

Volunteers needed to water native plant seedlings during epic drought conditions.

This winter has been one of the driest in California’s history. While native plants in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks have evolved to survive occasional droughts, recently planted seedlings in restoration project areas across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are vulnerable due to the lack of rain. OC Parks and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy are seeking volunteers to help, and an upcoming activity in Limestone Canyon will help reopen the Dripping Springs trail.

Dripping Springs trail is being converted from an old ranch road into a single-track trail. The spring itself is one of two year-round fresh water sources in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve that supports many plants and animals. “Providing a clear path for hiking as well as better cover for wildlife are the ultimate goals for the Dripping Springs trail,” said Irvine Ranch Conservancy Stewardship Coordinator Brittany Mendelsohn. “Since planting, we have spotted lots of deer and even a few bobcats, and there are always animal tracks on the trail.”

Trails to Dripping Springs in Limestone Canyon are temporarily closed for improvements.

In the heart of Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, an oasis of lush vegetation stands evergreen, in contrast to the surrounding arid landscape. Birds flit from leaf to leaf against a vine-covered rock face that seeps water, creating a pool below. This is Dripping Springs, and it is a haven for wildlife – one of the few fresh water sources available in the northern part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Until this year, a double-track trail created from a former ranch road passed within a quarter-mile of this sensitive habitat. Now OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy are working to convert the former road to a single-track trail. A single-track trail would improve the health of the habitat for wildlife by decreasing the amount of physical disturbance and providing more cover close to the much-used water source.