Landmarks Blog

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.

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

9/22/2022

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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.

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Invasive Plant Profile: Artichoke Thistle

9/15/2022

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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.

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Local Pollinators Help Ecosystems Across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

9/8/2022

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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.

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

9/1/2022

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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.

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Wildlife Spotlight: Coast Horned Lizard

8/24/2022

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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.

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Invasive Plant Profile: Yellow star-thistle

8/17/2022

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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.

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Plant Profile: Prickly Pear Cactus

8/11/2022

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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.

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Irvine Ranch Conservancy Helps Enhance Coal Canyon Wildlife Crossing to Improve Connectivity of Urban Wildlands

8/4/2022

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Bobcat traveling through the Coal Canyon Wildlife Crossing.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s mission to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in Orange County often requires collaboration in order to achieve the long-term protection of native habitats. Over the last five years, Irvine Ranch Conservancy in collaboration with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), CalTrans, California State Parks, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been helping to improve wildlife connectivity in Orange County’s urban wildlands.

Through the enhancement of a decommissioned off-ramp in Coal Canyon under the 91 freeway (SR-91), IRC and its partners put a five-year project in place to help improve connectivity between the Santa Ana Mountains, Irvine Ranch Open Space, and Chino Hills State Park, providing a safe passage point for wildlife to cross the freeway. The Coal Canyon wildlife crossing is a former freeway exit on SR-91 that was decommissioned for public use in 2002 and was deemed as a potential pathway for wildlife to safely travel across the freeway.

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Explore the Outdoors with Mountain Bike Activities on the Landmarks

7/28/2022

Biker at Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are full of beautiful places and amazing views, making our native wildlands a truly unique place to explore. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners, OC Parks, the City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, create a variety of opportunities for nature lovers to get out and explore the Landmarks with free activities. In fact, one of the most exciting ways to explore the Landmarks is on two wheels!

Each month, mountain biking activities for all experience levels are offered on the Landmarks. Bikers can explore the versatile trails and scenery during guided activities, self-guided Wilderness Access Days, seven-day access trails, or hone their skills with technical clinics offered in the City of Irvine.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Tests AI-Driven Technology for Wildfire Prevention

7/20/2022

Ryan Honary at the Native Seed Farm with Sunny Saroa, IRC Plant Material Development Project Manager.

As wildfires continue to threaten Orange County’s native wildlands, Irvine Ranch Conservancy actively looks for ways to increase wildfire prevention efforts throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

In early 2022, IRC teamed up with local teenager Ryan Honary to evaluate and test his SensoRy AI wildfire sensor network. The AI-driven technology created by Ryan utilizes remote sensors that can help identify initial sparks of a fire and potentially predict the spread patterns. The sensors create a wireless mesh network that can be deployed on the land to communicate with scientists and emergency personnel about a fire ignition source. The technology is currently being tested at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm, which was damaged in the 2020 Silverado Fire.

New State Grant to Fund Regional Coordination on Fire Prevention in Orange County

7/13/2022

A view of the Jim Fire from Limestone Canyon in March 2022.

Over the last 20 years, frequent large wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds have become a nearly constant threat in Orange County. In the last two years alone, nearly 30,000 acres have burned, causing significant damage to both property and the health of native wildlands. To help combat catastrophic wildfires in Orange County, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is launching work funded by a three-year grant from the California Department of Conservation under the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFC).

The $2.2 million grant will allow IRC to work with partners to develop and expand collaborative wildfire prevention projects throughout Orange County. IRC currently facilitates the County of Orange Area Safety Task Force (COAST), which works to prevent fires and keep communities safe. Through COAST, IRC will focus on preventing ignitions during strong Santa Ana winds and develop projects and programs to make communities more resilient to wildfire through hardening structures and improving maintenance of strategic fuel modification zones.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Kim Casey - Manager, Volunteer Programs

7/7/2022

Kim Casey: Volunteer Programs Manager at IRC

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partner OC Parks take pride in protecting, restoring and enhancing native wildlands throughout Orange County. OC Parks encompasses 60,000 acres of park lands across the county including some of which make up the 40,000 acres that are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC and OC Parks often rely on volunteers to help effectively steward our region’s natural resources and native wildlands to help them thrive for generations to come.

IRC staff member Kim Casey plays a large role when it comes to volunteer programs that benefit Orange County parks and open spaces. As the Manager of Volunteer Programs, Kim oversees the volunteer administration portion of IRC’s contract with OC Parks. This includes the development and implementation of the OC Parks Volunteer Program where IRC oversees roughly 800 volunteers throughout 28 different facilities across the county (including regional parks, wilderness parks, historic parks, beaches, and open space preserves). Kim works with OC Parks staff to onboard and train volunteers, as well as develop training and educational opportunities to support the volunteers in their diverse roles and support park staff with any volunteer management and on-site needs they may have.

Help Keep Native Wildlands and Your Community Safe this 4th of July

6/29/2022

A Fire Watch volunteer educates hikers on wildfire danger.

Independence Day is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy the warm summer weather, along with holiday festivities like BBQ’s, outdoor activities and dazzling fireworks shows. While celebrating this holiday weekend, we encourage you to take proper safety precautions, helping to protect Orange County’s native wildlands and communities from potential wildfire ignitions.

With little rain this year and high temperatures drying out plants, it’s important to understand that even the smallest spark can start a devastating fire. Everyday items like charcoal barbeques and backyard fire pits should be watched carefully and never be left unattended. Be sure to remove any dry brush or low-hanging branches near the area and keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. Always pay attention to any wind that might blow ashes out of your yard and do not light an open flame if gusts are too strong.

Why are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Protected?

6/22/2022

OC Parks' Fremont Canyon.

Did you know that the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consists of nearly 40,000 acres of native wildlands? Within these local wildlands are a variety of rare plant and animal species that make up important natural habitats. In fact, habitats found on the Landmarks are so diverse that they have been labeled as one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots” — an area with large concentrations of different species.

With wildlands like this in our own backyard, it’s important to ensure they remain healthy and protected, so the biodiversity of the Landmarks can continue to thrive in their natural environment. In order to protect Orange County’s native wildlands, protection plans like the Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) program take a broad-based ecosystem approach to planning for the protection and perpetuation of biological diversity. NCCP programs operate under a partnership with the State of California, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local landowners and environmental agencies.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and UCI Masters Students Study Post-Fire Resiliency of Coastal Sage Scrub Communities

6/16/2022

Limestone Canyon post Silverado Fire.

On Tuesday, June 7, Irvine Ranch Conservancy hosted a live presentation where UCI MCRS
(Masters in Conservation and Restoration Science) Graduate Students shared their findings on
the effects of post-fire resiliency in coastal sage scrub communities.

Masters students Jessica Rath, Michelle dela Cruz, Rubeen Khunkhun and BryAnna Wertz
studied areas on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks that were damaged during the 2020
Silverado Fire, comparing restored versus unrestored coastal sage scrub habitats.

Orange County Fire Watch Prepares for the Upcoming Wildfire Season

6/9/2022

Fire Watch scanning for signs of wildfire danger.

Drier summer months are on the horizon, which means Orange County fire agencies and partners have begun their preparation for the upcoming fire season. On Saturday, June 4, Orange County Fire Watch held its annual Fire Watch training, where volunteers can brush up on their skills and practice for the first deployment of the fire season.

The annual training sends Fire Watch volunteers to multiple locations across Orange County, where simulations are set-up on the land. This year’s training took place at four different locations throughout OC Parks and the Irvine Ranch Open Space. With the use of binoculars and the naked eye, Fire Watch volunteers were tasked to scan each location and call out signs of wildfire danger by reporting their observations to an authority on scene, over the radio and calling the Fire Watch hotline.

Celebrating Our Volunteers and Partners for Their Dedication to Orange County’s Native Wildlands

6/2/2022

Volunteer and Partner Celebration 2022.

On Friday, May 20, Irvine Ranch Conservancy honored its volunteers and partners during the annual Volunteer and Partner Celebration at the Augustine Staging Area in beautiful Limestone Canyon. The celebration is an opportunity for IRC volunteers and partners to come together to celebrate the land and their shared goal of restoring and protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Thanks to the generous efforts of Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers, nature lovers of all ages are able to continue to enjoy the natural beauty of the Landmarks. In 2021, IRC volunteers donated 18,851 hours of their time to restoration projects, data collection, wildfire prevention efforts, tending to IRC’s native seed farm and plant nurseries, leading free community activities and more.

Tips for Avoiding Heat-Related Illnesses During Outdoor Activities

5/25/2022

Hiker resting in the shade on a sunny day.

The warm summer months in southern California may deter nature lovers from exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but there are still plenty of opportunities to have an outdoor adventure during the summertime. Before heading out on the trails on a hot day, it’s important to educate yourself about heat safety and the simple steps that can be taken to avoid heat-related illnesses.

Heat-related illnesses happen when a person’s body temperature rises and becomes unable to cool itself down through sweating. As we perspire, we lose body fluids that need to be replenished. The best way to enjoy summer outdoor activities is to properly prepare for the heat and know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Snakes Awaken from Seasonal Brumation on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/19/2022

There are a variety of different animals that make the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks their home, including snake species that play an important role in our ecosystem. With the weather warming up, snakes are coming out of their annual brumation, a type of hibernation that slows down their metabolism, making snakes lethargic and largely inactive.

With the end of the winter season, snakes are becoming increasingly active on trails and open spaces on the Landmarks, so it’s important to understand how to coexist with these reptiles while still enjoying your time outdoors.

Invasive Plant Profile: North African Knapweed

5/12/2022

North African Knapweed. Photo courtesy of Ron Vanderhoff.

A newly introduced invasive plant species, the North African Knapweed, has been discovered in parts of California, including Orange County and the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This annual species belongs to the genus Centaurea in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and originates from southwestern Europe and northern Africa.

Identifiable by its small pink-purple flowers and lobed leaves, the North African Knapweed is usually found in grasslands and disperses its seeds by wind. Flowering from April to December, this invasive species can degrade habitat for wildlife, exacerbate wildfire risks, and reduce overall biodiversity of Orange County’s native wildlands.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Volunteers Recognized at the 2022 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

5/5/2022

IRC Volunteers assist the public during Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day

On Thursday, April 28, OneOC held the 46th Spirit of Volunteerism Awards, where volunteers across Orange County are recognized for going above and beyond during their volunteer time. This year, the annual event was held in person at the Grove of Anaheim and live steamed for those who wanted to enjoy the celebration virtually.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy was proud to honor five of its volunteers recognized in the Environment & Sustainability category for their exemplary efforts in support of the Conservancy and the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. These volunteers have contributed countless hours to the land by leading public activities, participating in habitat restoration work and supporting IRC staff on special projects.

Orchard Hills Undergoing Restoration After Fall 2020 Wildfires

4/28/2022

Orchard Hills Staging Area

In fall 2020, the Orchard Hills area of the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve was caught in the path of the Silverado Fire, causing significant damage. Once the fire subsided, a complete survey of the area found that over 1,000 eucalyptus trees were damaged and needed to be removed to ensure the safety of visitors.

A comprehensive post-fire tree assessment was conducted by a team of certified arborists, who determined that the fire compromised the structural integrity of the eucalyptus trees. This made the trees unstable and prone to falling, so trees are being removed due to imminent safety concerns. The City of Irvine estimated the tree removal would take about two years due to the long, complicated process of removing the large eucalyptus trees. Tree removal efforts are ongoing, but once complete, Irvine Ranch Conservancy will begin rebuilding and rerouting the trails.

Orange County Fire Watch Hosts Annual Fire Watch Symposium In Person & Online

4/21/2022

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Orange County Fire Watch will once again host the annual Fire Watch Symposium in person and online during California Wildfire Awareness Week.

On Saturday, May 7, the community will have the opportunity to learn about the upcoming fire season and the steps being taken by local agencies and organizations to prepare for potential wildfires in Orange County. During the program, attendees will hear presentations from fire prevention specialists, wildland resource planners, parks rangers and fire agency representatives.

This year’s keynote presentation will feature Orange County Bird of Prey Center, Executive Director, Peggy Chase. Throughout her presentation, Peggy will share her wisdom on “Wildfire Impacts on Raptors (and other local wildlife)”.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Sunny Saroa, Project Manager

4/14/2022

Sunny Saroa

Native plants are the foundation of our local ecosystems, and the restoration work Irvine Ranch Conservancy conducts cannot happen without the key species that make up the rich and diverse plant community found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. To ensure a robust inventory of native plants and seeds are on hand for restoration projects, IRC staff and volunteers collect small, genetically diverse samples of seed from naturally occurring plant populations and use traditional agricultural and nursery techniques to cultivate enough plant material to support restoration.

Plant Material Development Project Manager Sunny Saroa is one of the IRC team members working at the heart of the plant materials program. Having worked at IRC for a year and a half, Sunny handles the supply chain of native plants and seed for IRC’s restoration and enhancement projects. Day-to-day, Sunny oversees activities within the plant development program, working with IRC staff, volunteers, and contractors to develop plant materials through wild collection, seed production at the Native Seed Farm, and nursery production...

<<Previous

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

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Helps Enhance Coal Canyon Wildlife Crossing to Improve Connectivity of Urban Wildlands

Explore the Outdoors with Mountain Bike Activities on the Landmarks

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Tests AI-Driven Technology for Wildfire Prevention

New State Grant to Fund Regional Coordination on Fire Prevention in Orange County

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Kim Casey - Manager, Volunteer Programs

Help Keep Native Wildlands and Your Community Safe this 4th of July

Why are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Protected?

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and UCI Masters Students Study Post-Fire Resiliency of Coastal Sage Scrub Communities

Orange County Fire Watch Prepares for the Upcoming Wildfire Season

Celebrating Our Volunteers and Partners for Their Dedication to Orange County’s Native Wildlands

Tips for Avoiding Heat-Related Illnesses During Outdoor Activities

Snakes Awaken from Seasonal Brumation on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Invasive Plant Profile: North African Knapweed

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Volunteers Recognized at the 2022 Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

Orchard Hills Undergoing Restoration After Fall 2020 Wildfires

Orange County Fire Watch Hosts Annual Fire Watch Symposium In Person & Online

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Sunny Saroa, Project Manager

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