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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.

Wet Weather Trail Etiquette

1/19/2023

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.

IRC Staff Spotlight - Tomas Gonzales

1/12/2023

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.

Invasive Plant Profile - Tree Tobacco

1/5/2023

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.

IRC’s 2022 Annual Report Recap

Wet Weather Trail Etiquette

IRC Staff Spotlight - Tomas Gonzales

Invasive Plant Profile - Tree Tobacco

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