Outdoor Classroom – Educational Training Tours
All tours will take place on Wednesday, August 6. Departure and return times are subject to change. The tours will give exposure to interesting and informative conservation work happening in the area. Be sure to register early to secure a seat. SWCS reserves the right to cancel a tour that does not have the minimum number of attendees and to change the maximum number of attendees.
Tour #1: Innovative Agriculture for Conservation Tour
Wednesday, August 6
12:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Supported by Women in NRCS (WiN), this tour showcases two progressive agricultural operations that exemplify innovation in sustainable farming and ecological restoration. These forward-thinking operations are at the forefront of regenerative agriculture and conservation, demonstrating how modern agricultural techniques can support both food production and environmental stewardship.
Our first stop is The Ecology Center, a 28-acre Regenerative Organic Certified™ farm that serves as a living model of sustainable agriculture. This farm integrates holistic land management practices, from soil health regeneration to water conservation, while producing nutrient-dense crops. The Ecology Center also fosters the next generation of agricultural innovators through its Apprenticeship Program, where hands-on training in regenerative techniques equips future farmers with the tools to implement sustainable practices on a larger scale.
Our tour continues at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm, a vital hub for ecological restoration. This innovative farm was established to provide a reliable supply of high-quality native plant materials for habitat restoration across Southern California. By utilizing precision seed propagation and adaptive land management strategies, the Conservancy is improving the resilience of natural landscapes. Tour participants will gain insight into innovative restoration agriculture, including seed collection techniques, climate-adaptive planting strategies, and large-scale habitat restoration initiatives.
Join the “Innovative Agriculture for Conservation” tour to see firsthand how these pioneering operations are shaping the future of sustainable land management and conservation. Experience the synergy between agriculture and ecological restoration, and leave inspired by the transformative power of innovative farming.
Tickets: $75 early/$100 regular (after June 16)/$125 onsite (after July 16)
Tour #2: Urban Conservation and Sustainability Walking Tour
Wednesday, July 24
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Attendees will be immersed in a landscape of art created from recycled materials as we explore “The Lab”, which stands for “Little American Business”. The Lab was recycled in 1993 from a night-vision goggle factory into an indoor-outdoor anti-mall composed of local artisans providing a wide array of cafes, restaurants and retail that embraced a vibrant community of lovers in art, music, fashion, and hip cuisine. While we may not be in close walking distance from the beautiful natural areas of Orange County, we will bring the world of Urban Conservation to the SoBeCa Arts District in Costa Mesa. Join us as we explore topics related to the unique conservation landscape of urban California as well as other urban areas around the country, and the boots on the ground efforts from every corner of our industry working to protect these limited natural areas. This is an active walking tour, so bring comfortable footwear.
Tickets: $50 early/$75 regular (after June 16) /$100 onsite (after July 16)