Spring is officially upon us and wildflower blooms are in full effect across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! In case you missed it, Irvine Ranch Conservancy shared a collection of wildflowers that can be seen across the Landmarks during the #WhereTheWildFlowersAre social media takeover. From March 15 - 21, the Conservancy’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were blooming with color as each post highlighted some of the most common local wildflowers.
 
The #WhereTheWildflowersAre social media takeover featured 24 different local wildflowers and gave wildflower fans an easily accessible way to explore the outdoors and inspire outdoor enthusiasts to get out and spot these local blooming beauties. Wildflowers like Arroyo Lupine, Bush Sunflowers, Common Fiddlenecks and the popular super bloom California Poppies were just a few of the species that were featured during the virtual tour. Check out a few posts below with fun facts about local wildflowers.
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Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora) - Named for the color of its flowers, the Chocolate Lily is most often found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in Chaparral areas.

​Meet Rachel Lambert, Seed Farm Stewardship Coordinator
 
The Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s 14-acre Native Seed Farm is essential to the success of habitat restoration projects throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but it also serves as a great way for the community to connect with the land.  Community support and involvement are critical for the farm’s success.  Volunteers and participation from the public allow conservancy staff to produce more seed from a wider range of plants, essential ingredients for successful restoration on the land.  However, many volunteers will be quick to admit that it isn’t just the plants that keep them coming back to the farm. 
 
Rachel Lambert, Seed Farm Stewardship Coordinator, leads most public activities at the farm.  Her bubbly personality and deep knowledge of plants and history make every outing an adventure to remember, and keeps the public coming back for more.  She has been working at the Native Seed Farm for six years and is responsible for planning and hosting stewardship activities at the farm, as well as assisting with the farm’s day-to-day operations.  

​Daylight savings time provides an extra hour of sunlight for you to get outside
 
As winter fades away and the clocks spring forward on Sunday, it’s the perfect opportunity to get outside on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. If you’re stuck indoors all day and need a way to de-stress, take advantage of the extra hour of sunlight and sign up for one of the many evening activities Irvine Ranch Conservancy offers. Take a stroll at your own pace, get in an evening workout or learn about nature with an interpretive activity. There’s a wide variety of evening activities to choose from, so get out and explore the Landmarks as the sun goes down!
 
Nature lovers looking for a leisurely paced hike can sign up for the Twilight Hike in Orchard Hills on Tuesday, March 12 from 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. Take in the sights and relax during this evening hike, as you make your way around the Orchard Hills loop trail and watch the sky change color. Hikers looking for a moderately paced evening hike should try the Orchard Hills Evening Hike. Occurring weekly, this two-hour hike provides fantastic ridge-top views of Irvine and the Pacific coastline. Meandering around an avocado orchard, these two activities will reward hikers with spectacular views of Orange County and a chance to experience Orchard Hills before and after sunset. 

​Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm helps wildflowers bloom across the Landmarks
 
Spring hasn’t sprung just yet, but signs of the coming season are already appearing across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the abundance of rain this year and Southern California sunshine, wildflowers are already beginning to bloom, bringing pops of color to Orange County. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers do their part in helping wildflowers flourish through restorative efforts on the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm.
 
The Native Seed Farm has two goals: give the local community a way to connect with the land and provide a reliable source of quality plant material for restoration projects. The 14-acre farm is a sustainable way for the Conservancy to help restore thousands of acres of native habitat throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Certified staff and volunteers are key to the operation of the Native Seed Farm, helping to grow and tend to a custom mix of native plants like wildflowers, then harvesting the seed for use on the Landmarks. 

​Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s wildlife monitoring cameras help experts study local animals and habitats on the Landmarks
 
Whether we know it or not, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a large and diverse population of wildlife habitats. On any given day, animals such as deer, mountain lions, bobcats, gray foxes, coyotes, owls, hawks and more are roaming the Landmarks. Irvine Ranch Conservancy experts are able to keep a close watch on these species and their natural habitats with the help of wildlife monitoring cameras.
 
In order to help monitor the health, movements, and populations of wildlife on the Landmarks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff has strategically placed a network of heat and motion-triggered remote cameras throughout the wildlands. These camera traps are serviced every two weeks by trained volunteers, who then collect the memory cards to be sorted and observed for unusual activity, injured or ill wildlife, and any trends or seasonal cycles.