On Tuesday, December 10, Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett of the Orange County Board of Supervisors presented certificates of recognition to OC Fire Watch and exemplary Fire Watch volunteers. The Orange County Board of Supervisors recognized volunteers Rick Gaskins, Rocky Bruno, Joan Steiner and Ed Steiner for their dedication to Fire Watch activities and protecting the Orange County community from wildfire. These four volunteers have individually served over 300 hours of volunteer service to support their community during Red Flag Warning deployments.
 
“While these volunteers are not trained as firefighters, they provide an important component to prevent destructive wildfires,” said Chairwoman Bartlett. “OC Fire Watch volunteers have over 12,000 hours of volunteer service in support of their communities. I want to congratulate all of them for a job well done and thank you for your service to our communities.”

​While the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are known for beautiful outdoor settings and diverse flora and fauna, they are also the native habitat and home for many local wildlife species throughout the Orange County region. By working alongside landowners including OC Parks, the City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, Irvine Ranch Conservancy constantly strives to accommodate the needs of wildlife while also considering the recreational needs of the public.
 
One of the key programs the Conservancy uses to observe various native animal species is the Wildlife Monitoring Project. This project employs camouflaged cameras throughout the Landmarks to gain close looks at our native wildlife, including rare and protected birds and mammals. Heat and motion trigger sensors in the cameras, which then allow Conservancy staff and volunteers to gather images that indicate the health, movement, and distribution of wildlife. These data inform the work of staff and the landowners to protect important species, but the images also provide the public ways to explore the Landmarks.

​Winter weather has made its way to Orange County, bringing heavy rainfall throughout the region. Rain helps the flora and fauna on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks thrive. It can also create unsafe trail conditions and other potential safety issues. In anticipation of wet weather, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its landowning partners, OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, are working diligently to evaluate potential storm damage and reduce long-term effects to the local trail system. Irvine Ranch Conservancy urges visitors to do their part to help minimize rain damage by understanding wet trail conditions and abiding by closures to the trail system to help maintain the health of local habitats.
 
During the cool winter months, trails require downtime to dry out after rainfall, which could close trails for a few days following a storm. While many trails might appear dry at the trailhead, there are likely to be sections of the trail that collect moisture and remain muddy. It is important that visitors stay off the trails during this time and allow for the dirt to dry out completely, to ensure the longevity for public use and public safety. Ignoring closures could result in dangerous situations for nature enthusiasts, as well as park rangers and first responders.

​Irvine Ranch Conservancy is thankful for its landowning partners: OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach
 
Like many of you, we at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy have much to be thankful for this holiday season, especially our partners.  Without OC Parks, the City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach, we wouldn’t be able to go outside with you and enjoy the natural wonders of our local wildlands.  We are so thankful that their partnerships allows us to do the important work of restoring and protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and we are thankful for the community (that means you!) that we have all created together in that pursuit. 
 
Together with OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been able to:

​Grab your shoes, water, and friends and take a hike! National Take a Hike Day is on Sunday, November 17. Irvine Ranch Conservancy invites you to celebrate on the spectacular trails of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With nearly 40,000 acres of open space, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offer a variety of trails to explore.
 
Did you know the simple act of taking a hike can have positive benefits for your health? Hiking can help reduce stress and blood pressure, while increasing heart activity. National Take a Hike Day is the perfect opportunity to unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and relax before the busy holiday season.