ICS 5 Sustainability Field Trip Options

UCI Winter 2026 - Extra Credit Group Research

San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary

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Address: 5 Riparian View, Irvine, CA Phone: 949-453-5500 (IRWD) / 949-261-7963 (Sea & Sage Audubon) Hours: Dawn to dusk, daily Cost: FREE Tour Info: Open access to 12 miles of trails. Monthly bird walks with Sea & Sage Audubon (2nd Sunday, 8am). Self-guided visits anytime during hours. Website: irwd.com/san-joaquin-marsh | Wikipedia
Why Visit: 300-acre coastal freshwater wetlands adjacent to UCI. Home to 200+ bird species including endangered species (light-footed clapper rail, California least tern). Natural water treatment system for urban runoff. Restored wetlands completed in 2000.
Council Connection: Kathleen Treseder serves on the San Joaquin Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary board. Email: [email protected]

OC Sanitation District (Plant No. 1)

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Address: 10844 Ellis Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Phone: (714) 962-2411 Hours: Tours by appointment. Board meetings: 4th Wednesday of each month, 6:00 PM Cost: FREE Tour Info: 1.5-hour tours include video overview, discussion of wastewater treatment process, and bus tour of facility. Virtual tours also available 24/7. Register through website. Website: ocsan.gov | Tour Registration
Why Visit: 3rd largest water resource recovery facility west of the Mississippi. Treats 185 million gallons of wastewater daily for 2.6 million people. Learn what happens to water after it goes down the drain.
Council Connection: Melinda Liu serves on the OC Sanitation District board. Email: [email protected]

IRWD Michelson Water Recycling Plant

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Address: 3512 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612 Phone: 949-453-5500 Email: [email protected] Hours: Community tours typically 9am-1pm (includes breakfast & lunch) Cost: FREE (must be IRWD customer, 16+ years old) Tour Info: ~4 hour experience including water recycling plant tour and walk through San Joaquin Marsh. Requires 3 miles of walking, closed-toe shoes. Register at irwd.com/events. Request at least 2 weeks in advance. Website: irwd.com | Request Tour
Why Visit: Converts 28 million gallons of sewage daily into recycled water. See three-stage water treatment process. Includes continental breakfast, lunch, and marsh walk. Comprehensive sustainability experience.

Frank R. Bowerman Landfill

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Address: 11002 Bee Canyon Access Road, Irvine, CA Email: [email protected] Hours: Tours by appointment only Cost: FREE Tour Info: 90-minute tours. Up to 8 people per group (larger groups can be arranged). Must be 5+ years old. Closed-toe shoes required. Safety vests and hard hats provided. Signed release form required (parental signature if under 18). Arrive early - late arrivals may be rescheduled. Website: oclandfills.com/landfills/landfill-tours | Wikipedia
Why Visit: See waste management operations, composting facilities, environmental controls, habitat restoration, and landfill gas-to-energy systems. Seasonal falcon demonstrations for pest control. 9th largest landfill in the US, powers 26,000 homes with converted landfill gas.

Quick Reference

Location Focus Council Connection Best For
San Joaquin Marsh Wetlands / Wildlife Kathleen Treseder Easy access, near UCI
OC Sanitation Wastewater Treatment Melinda Liu Industrial sustainability
IRWD Michelson Water Recycling - Full day experience
Bowerman Landfill Waste Management - Unique experience

Council Member Contacts

Council Member Email Relevant Board Positions
Kathleen Treseder (At-Large) [email protected] OCPA (Vice Chair), San Joaquin Marsh, Coastal Green Belt Authority
Melinda Liu (District 3) [email protected] OC Sanitation District, OC Mosquito & Vector Control
Betty Martinez Franco (District 5) [email protected] OCPA (Alternate), IUSD Liaison

ICS 5 - Global Disruption and Information Technology | UCI Winter 2026

Extra Credit Field Trip Options - Contact locations directly to schedule visits.