Landmarks Blog

IRC’s 2022 Annual Report Recap

1/26/2023

IRC's 2022 Annual Report

Over the course of the last year, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has helped thousands of individuals connect with nature while advancing efforts to restore and preserve Orange County’s native wildlands, including the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The 2022 Annual Report recounts these efforts and highlights accomplishments from IRC’s core programs of work.

The Volunteer Management and Administration team is responsible for finding creative ways to not only recruit volunteers, but design pathways for volunteers to harness individual skills and passions in ways that give back to the land and visitors. In 2022 alone, IRC had 485 volunteers dedicate a total of 26,237 hours, translating to more than $933,000 worth of donated time.

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Wet Weather Trail Etiquette

1/19/2023

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Wet weather trail damage.

While the recent influx of rain has been great for the land, providing much needed water for native plants and animals, there is no denying that the resulting trail closures have been tough. With so much of the landscape turning green, it’s only natural to want to get outside and explore. However, wet trails can be dangerous, and using these trails before they dry out can result in long term damage that will likely require further closures and extensive repairs.

During wet weather, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy team and its partners work diligently to monitor storm damage and trail conditions so we can quickly address any issues and reopen the trails once they are safe for use. During closures, it is important that everyone does their part to minimize damage. Soil in our region tends to have a high clay content, which is great for capturing and retaining moisture during rare Southern Californian rainstorms. However, this also creates really slippery conditions for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. It also means that once the soil dries out, any ruts or footprints will harden, creating potentially hazardous conditions. In other words, using wet and muddy trails can not only cause long-lasting damage to the trails, but it can also be dangerous for visitors.

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IRC Staff Spotlight - Tomas Gonzales

1/12/2023

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IRC's Infrastructure and Planning Team Member, Tomas Gonzalez.

The many trails throughout Orange County’s open spaces are what draw and allow visitors to soak in the natural beauty of the Landmarks. It’s easy to forget how much work actually goes into maintaining these hiking and biking trails to keep them available to the public. If not for team members like Tomas Gonzalez, part of IRC’s Infrastructure and Planning team, many of these beloved trails would fall into disrepair.

Working for the Irvine Ranch Conservancy for nearly three years now, Tomas is responsible for maintaining and building trails, fences, bridges and staging areas. Tomas faces new situations every day and has to be adaptable and prepared to manage whatever problems may arise. Luckily, Tomas is qualified and has experience operating heavy equipment like the excavator, loader and landscaping hand tools that are utilized for major projects.

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Invasive Plant Profile - Tree Tobacco

1/5/2023

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Tree tobacco removal in Agua Chinon.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners make it a goal to preserve the land and support natural habitats. With this mission, most plants are welcome in the open spaces of Orange County, but there are a few invasive plant species that can disrupt the unique biodiversity that make up the Landmarks. Tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), for example, is a species that has traveled far from its origins and continues to thrive throughout the lands.

Tree tobacco is a small, open tree that has rubbery, silver-blue leaves and grows clusters of tubular, yellow flowers. Originally native to South America, tree tobacco began as a decorative garden plant used to attract birds and has sprouted into something much larger, becoming an invasive plant throughout California. Growing rather quickly, tree tobacco seeds can bloom into trees of six to ten feet in height and are often found along trails, fields and roadsides in many native wildlands.

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Happy New Year from Irvine Ranch Conservancy!

12/28/2022

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Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy team is wishing all our friends and family a healthy and happy new year! IRC is extremely grateful for the hard work of our volunteers and a community of nature lovers whose continuing efforts enhance the Landmarks for everyone to enjoy.

As this holiday marks a clean slate, it’s a great time to set personal goals for the upcoming year. This year, IRC is encouraging the community to make getting outdoors and getting involved a priority for 2023.

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Bird Monitoring on the Landmarks

12/21/2022

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IRC's bird monitoring volunteers.

For years now, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has dedicated its efforts to bird monitoring and habitat restoration throughout the open spaces of Orange County, including OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Agua Chinon and Weir Canyon. The data findings from these monitoring projects are significant as they contribute to IRC’s understanding of wildlife populations and the impact of rehabilitation and enhancement efforts.

Using a “point count survey,” 2-3 volunteers visit specific points on the land together and count every bird that’s seen or heard within five-minute intervals, recording the total number and species of birds observed. These point count surveys typically take place during the spring migration, April-June, and the fall migration, September-October, with an additional survey of overwintering birds occurring in January.

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Butterfly Monitoring & Habitat Restoration

12/14/2022

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Butterfly restoration and enhancement plots in Limestone Canyon.

Local pollinators, such as butterflies, are key to the health of native habitats on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Native plants rely on them to help produce new seeds, which then create new plants, supporting a wide range of native wildlife. However, scientists have seen a general decline in pollinator populations throughout the world in recent years. In order to try and bolster local butterfly populations and ensure they thrive in Orange County for years to come, IRC staff and volunteers have been monitoring several species through regular butterfly counts and have begun enhancing butterfly habitat through a new project in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon.

For more than a decade now, IRC volunteers have been doing point count surveys throughout the landmarks; counting the number and types of butterflies for a fixed period of time in a designated area so that IRC staff can understand how these butterfly populations are changing over time. This data also helps IRC’s Habitat Restoration and Enhancement team identify which butterfly species are in need of the most help, such as the Bernardino Blue and Monarch butterflies, and where to focus restoration efforts to have the most impact.

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Landmarks Spotlight: Red Rocks

12/2/2022

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With a fascinating history of beekeeping and mining, legends of hauntings, unique geological formations and rich plant and wildlife, Black Star Canyon has been a prominent talking point throughout Orange County for years. As the gateway to the backcountry of the Cleveland National Forest and the Santa Ana Mountains, Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park contains countless natural wonders that continue to attract visitors from day to day.

One of the major attractions of Black Star Canyon is a striking geological formation known as the Red Rocks. The two-toned Red Rocks highlight the ever-changing landscape and the rich history that has carved its way through the canyon. These sedimentary rocks were formed approximately 20-40 millions years ago during the Cenozoic Era, when the climate was changing from humid to dry.

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Plant Profile: Toyon

11/30/2022

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Photo courtesy of Keir Morse.

When people think of California, the first image that often comes to mind is one of a glamorous old Hollywood filled with movie stars and a booming film industry. The image of vast open lands may not be the first thing people picture when thinking of California, but what if those two things are actually connected after all?

Legend has it, the name “Hollywood” stems from a plant found in California, specifically a shrub known as the toyon. This perennial shrub, native to the western part of California, is also known as the Christmas berry or California Holly for the bright red berries it produces, especially during the fall and winter. This nickname of California Holly is what allegedly sparked the idea for the name “Hollywood.”

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Giving Thanks For IRC Volunteers and Open Spaces

11/22/2022

IRC Volunteer Manager, Erica Korzep with IRC Volunteers at the 2022 Volunteer and Partner Celebration.

With Thanksgiving having flown by, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget what the holiday season is actually about. A delicious meal shared with loved ones and Black Friday steals are important to enjoy, but it’s also the time of year to give thanks for the things we take for granted. This year, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is showing gratitude for the open spaces throughout Orange County and for the wonderful partners and volunteers that keep them beautiful for us.

Take your gratitude outside this year and appreciate the wonders throughout Orange County. The Landmarks offer a variety of stunning destinations that are open to the public daily, as well as Wilderness Access Days and other programs that grant access to additional parts of the land. IRC is not only grateful to work with such amazing parts of the outdoors, but also for its partners. Through partnerships with OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, we are able to work together and bring Orange County a number of free activities for all skill levels, restore and protect the lands, support research and train groups of volunteers.

Plant Profile: Common Fiddleneck

11/16/2022

The open spaces of the Landmarks are filled with a variety of wildlife and plant species. Some plants are easily recognizable, like the California Poppy, and some you may have never seen, such as the one featured in the above video.

The common fiddleneck can be spotted on the trails and identified by its slender bristled stem that coils at the top, resembling the head and neck of a violin or fiddle, giving the plant its name. Part of the “forget-me-not” family, the bright yellow-orange flowers can grow up to four feet tall.

Let’s Go Outside – Tell Us What YOU Want to See!

11/9/2022

Hikers exploring the outdoors in Orange County.

Whether you’re looking for information about specific trails or seeking outdoor activities to join, the Let’s Go Outside (LGO) website has everything you need to explore the great outdoors. Let’s Go Outside can be the ultimate resource for all things pertaining to Orange County's open space. The site contains not only history about the land, but also offers volunteer opportunities, programs and an index of trails, parks and reserves that are accessible throughout Orange County.

Just like our native wildlands often require being cleared of invasive species to make way for new growth–a similar makeover for the LGO website is about to be underway. The site offers wonderful properties already, but it’s time to create a more elevated experience for all LGO users. With a new look and new features coming soon, we’d love to get some feedback from the outdoor enthusiasts using LGO on a regular basis. That’s right–we want to hear from YOU!

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Leland Sterbling - Program Coordinator

11/3/2022

Leland Sterbling, IRC Program Coordinator.

For those seeking new ways to opt outside and connect with nature, Wilderness Access Days provide the perfect opportunity to discover the wonders of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Wilderness Access Days give the community a chance to explore parts of the open spaces of the Natural Landmarks in a self-guided manner and with extended access. WAD’s are open to all hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians of all levels.

If you plan on participating in an upcoming Wilderness Access Day, you’ll likely bump into the friendly face of Leland Sterbling. As an Irvine Ranch Conservancy Program Coordinator, Leland is responsible for coordinating and implementing public access programs. He also works closely with IRC volunteers to provide access to wilderness areas for public recreation, including those same areas and programs that make Wilderness Access Days possible.

Wildlife Spotlight: Tarantulas

10/26/2022

Tarantula on the Landmarks.

With the fall season upon us and Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to talk about a creepy, crawly critter that might be spotted on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With fangs, big, hairy bodies and eight, long legs, tarantulas often get thrown into the category of things you hope to never bump into while exploring the outdoors.

Though tarantulas are often seen as dangerous, these spiders are actually harmless to humans aside from a slightly painful bite. Venom from a tarantula’s bite is inflammatory but has less of an effect than a bee’s sting. Their bite may not be lethal, but it’s still best to admire these critters from a safe distance and not aggravate them.

Wildlife Spotlight: Canyon Bat

10/20/2022

The Canyon Bat. Photo by J. Scott Altenbach.

Fall is in full swing in Orange County, bringing cooler weather, crisp air and early sunsets to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the sun setting earlier, you may notice more sightings of nocturnal animals roaming the Landmarks. Species of animals like bats often get a bad reputation thanks to spooky tall tales, but these flying mammals play a critical role in the local ecosystem.

The Canyon Bat is one of the many bat species that can be found on the Landmarks, as they establish their homes in deserts, woodland, and shrubland habitats. Canyon Bats are not known to migrate far distances and often stay in the same area throughout the year, roosting in burrows, among boulders or cracks and crevices of rocks. This bat species is identified by their dark face, ears and wings, with light-colored fur that can range from a pale yellow to orange-yellow and gray-brown.

Invasive Plant Profile: Black Mustard

10/13/2022

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Photo courtesy of Keir Morse.

A variety of lush greenery and brightly colored flowers can be found while hiking through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but not all of the blooms we see are native to the land. Brassica nigra, or the black mustard, is an invasive plant that can reach up to six feet tall in a single growing season. Its bright yellow, four-petaled flowers bloom from April to July.

This winter annual plant is native to tropical regions of North Africa, temperate regions of Europe, and parts of Asia. In California, this invasive weed is common in coastal areas at lower elevations. In disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and grasslands this plant forms single-species stands.

Activities Resume at the Native Seed Farm Starting October 14

10/6/2022

Volunteers at IRC's Native Seed Farm.

Dust off your gardening gear because activities at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm will return on October 14! After the area was impacted by the 2020 Silverado Fire, the IRC team halted public activities in order to repair the Farm’s damaged irrigation system and replant perennial native plants used for seed harvesting.

Beginning October 14, nature enthusiasts can help support Orange County’s native wildlands by helping IRC staff behind the scenes at the one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Depending on the needs of the Farm, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks such as harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, tending to younger seedlings in the nursery, or working in the native plant demonstration garden – a new feature on the Farm. The demonstration garden will educate visitors about native plants found in Orange County, as well as how these plants can be used in a variety of ways.

Limestone Canyon’s Shoestring Trail Reopens Ahead of Wilderness Access Day

9/29/2022

A view of Shoestring Road and the spadefoot toad habitat restoration site from West Loma Ridge.

OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve is a lush canyon full of oak woodlands, streamside habitats, and a rich diversity of native plants and animals, making it an exciting place for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians to explore. Since the 2020 Silverado and Bond Fires, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been working to restore Limestone Canyon’s trails and infrastructure, while also making some improvements along the way.

Recently, IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team and OC Parks maintenance staff collaborated to help restore the Shoestring Trail, which will be open ahead of this Saturday's Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day. The trail created in 2010, makes a loop between Shoestring Road, West Loma Ridge, Hicks Haul Road, and the Augustine Staging Area, and is considered difficult due to the steep nature of the terrain. During the Bond Fire, the Shoestring Trail bridge was burned and needed replacing to make the trail safe once again. The IRC team took the opportunity to not only replace the bridge crossing, but to make other enhancements as well.

Enjoy Orange County’s Native Wildlands this National Public Lands Day

9/22/2022

OC Parks' Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort, celebrating the connection between people and green space in their community. Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day was created to inspire environmental stewardship and encourage the use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.

This weekend, Irvine Ranch Conservancy encourages nature lovers to spend time outdoors and give back to Orange County’s native wildlands. Whether you sign up for an upcoming stewardship event, enjoy the health benefits of exploring the seven-day access trails, or plant native species in your own garden, there are a variety of ways to show you care.

Invasive Plant Profile: Artichoke Thistle

9/15/2022

Artichoke Thistle, photo by Ron Vanderhoff.

The artichoke thistle is an invasive perennial herb with bright purple flowerheads and spiny leaves growing at the base. This invasive species is typically found in grassland, chaparral, coastal scrub, and riparian areas, and blooms between April and July. The plant can reach up to five feet in diameter, usually producing one to several flower stalks.

Artichoke thistle seeds can be spread through a variety of different ways, including strong winds, birds feeding and knocking seeds to the ground, water running down slopes, and attaching to mammals as they make their way through native wildlands. The artichoke thistle’s density and deep taproot outcompetes native plant species for light, water, and nutrients, threatening the health of natural habitats.

Local Pollinators Help Ecosystems Across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

9/8/2022

A bee pollinating buckwheat plants in Limestone Canyon.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are considered to be one of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots” meaning the natural wildlands in this area have large concentrations of different species. In fact, the landscape is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals that coexist, some rare and only found in southern California. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners work on a variety of restoration projects throughout the Landmarks to help native wildlands thrive, but they couldn’t do it without the help of local pollinators.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, plants serve as the foundations of our ecosystems, and over 80% of flowering plants require pollination services. When you hear the word pollinator, bees might be the first thing that come to mind, but there are a variety of different pollinators that help trees, wildflowers and locally grown crops reproduce and flourish. In addition to bees, other insects like butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, and wasps can serve as pollinators. Even birds, bats, small mammals, and lizards can act as pollinators.

Tips for Exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this Labor Day Weekend

9/1/2022

Hikers in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

With high temperatures set to hit Orange County, there are still opportunities to safely explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during Labor Day weekend. Coastal 7-day access trails and free activities on the Landmarks provide a variety of opportunities for outdoor adventures even when it's hot outside.

Head towards the beach or take short morning and evening hikes on 7-day access trails in Newport Beach, Irvine and Laguna. Hikers looking to explore the Orange County coastal region can also explore trails in the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve. The ideal escape from the summer sun, Buck Gully Reserve is a natural coastal canyon with lush vegetation and trails that provide beautiful views of the ocean, as well as a natural stream that follows part of the Buck Gully trail.

Wildlife Spotlight: Coast Horned Lizard

8/24/2022

Coast Horned Lizard.

The coast horned lizard, also known as the Blainville's horned lizard, is a flat-bodied lizard with a wide oval shape, pointed scales on the upper body and tail, and horns or spines on its head. This lizard can grow up to 4.5 inches in length and is historically found along the pacific coast from Baja California to central California.

Its earth-tone colors consist of reddish brown, yellow and gray, as well as dark spots and a cream-colored belly, making the lizard a master of camouflage. Female horned lizards are often larger than males and can lay about 6-21 eggs, potentially laying two clutches of eggs in a year.

Invasive Plant Profile: Yellow star-thistle

8/17/2022

The yellow star-thistle is a serious emerging invasive species with spiny, yellow flowers and leaves extending down the stem that give a winged appearance. Typically found in degraded grasslands, rangelands and near roadways, the species has been linked to portions of land that were historically used for grazing.

With plants growing up to six feet tall, the yellow star-thistle propagates rapidly and reproduces prolifically. One large plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds annually, causing issues like crowding out native plant species, decreasing biodiversity, and creating a less resilient natural community that can lead to more vulnerable habitats, which can be threatened by wildfire and climate change. Yellow star-thistle plants have deep taproots that can significantly deplete soil moisture reserves, taking vital resources from native plant species.

Plant Profile: Prickly Pear Cactus

8/11/2022

The prickly pear cactus is native to southern California and Baja California, where it is commonly found growing in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. These large plants grow in sprawling patches of thick jointed segments known as pads. A prickly pear cactus plant can reach up to three feet tall sprouting an array of yellow, orange or pink blooms with reddish purple fruit that grow on top of the cactus. The cactus fruit is edible and was often used by Native Americans and Spanish Americans as a food source, as well as to help bind wounds.

In 2009, after the 2007 Santiago Fire, Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Habitat Restoration and Enhancement team planted 14,000 cactus pads and 90 potted cactus in an effort to restore damaged habitat. After about 10 years, the IRC team found that cacti planted as pads were almost a meter high at sites with lower weeds and the plants were also more successful on steeper, south facing slopes.

<<Previous

IRC’s 2022 Annual Report Recap

Wet Weather Trail Etiquette

IRC Staff Spotlight - Tomas Gonzales

Invasive Plant Profile - Tree Tobacco

Happy New Year from Irvine Ranch Conservancy!

Bird Monitoring on the Landmarks

Butterfly Monitoring & Habitat Restoration

Landmarks Spotlight: Red Rocks

Plant Profile: Toyon

Giving Thanks For IRC Volunteers and Open Spaces

Plant Profile: Common Fiddleneck

Let’s Go Outside – Tell Us What YOU Want to See!

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Leland Sterbling - Program Coordinator

Wildlife Spotlight: Tarantulas

Wildlife Spotlight: Canyon Bat

Invasive Plant Profile: Black Mustard

Activities Resume at the Native Seed Farm Starting October 14

Limestone Canyon’s Shoestring Trail Reopens Ahead of Wilderness Access Day

Enjoy Orange County’s Native Wildlands this National Public Lands Day

Invasive Plant Profile: Artichoke Thistle

Local Pollinators Help Ecosystems Across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Tips for Exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this Labor Day Weekend

Wildlife Spotlight: Coast Horned Lizard

Invasive Plant Profile: Yellow star-thistle

Plant Profile: Prickly Pear Cactus

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