SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO : Conservancy Offers Walks, Star-Gazing

Guided nature walks and a night of watching the heavens during a special astronomy program will take place at a protected land conservancy over the weekend.

Telescopes will be provided Saturday from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy. Observers will look for planets, star clusters and other heavenly bodies.

The viewing costs $5 per person. The conservancy also holds special astronomy night observations for celestial phenomena such as meteor showers and lunar eclipses.

Reservations must be made in advance by calling (714) 489-9778. Participants will meet at a gate outside the conservancy at Ortega Highway near Cristianitos Road, about six miles east of Interstate 5.

During the guided nature walks, participants will tour the rolling hills and wooded canyons belonging to the 1,200-acre Rancho Mission Viejo Land Conservancy on Sunday.

The nature walk will take place between 9 and 11:30 a.m.

A second nature hike will be offered June 25. The walks cost $3 per person.

On the same day, the conservancy will sponsor an equestrian tour. Participants must bring their own horse.

The conservancy also offers a Junior Wildlife Biologist Program for those in grades four through seven.

Children are taught about California wildlife ecology and the basics of trapping, tracking and bird-watching.

The cost is $14 per person and reservations can be made for groups or individuals.