​Now that the weather is starting to warm up and signs of spring are sprouting across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, nature enthusiasts interested in exploring the Landmarks should look no further than Silverado - home to Black Star Canyon. An easy gateway to the backcountry of the Cleveland National Forest and the northern Santa Ana Mountains, Black Star Canyon has a combination of fascinating local history, geological formations, and a variety of native flora and fauna.
 
With Black Star Canyon’s inland location, winter and spring are ideal seasons to explore the area and all it has to offer, while wildflowers are in bloom and before temperatures get too hot. Nature lovers are invited to explore Black Star Canyon and Baker Canyon during the upcoming Wilderness Access Day on Saturday, March 7 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here are four great reasons to explore Black Star Canyon during Wilderness Access Day:

​Irvine Ranch Conservancy is regularly engaged in a wide variety of habitat restoration projects that help restore and maintain the beauty of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Through collaboration with land management partners such as OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, IRC staff members can work to help preserve the Landmarks for generations to come. Irvine Ranch Conservancy Project Manager Collin Raff is one of the key players helping to restore parts of Orange County, focusing mainly on West Loma Ridge and Silverado Canyon.
 
Before joining the Conservancy, Collin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in ecology, evolution and organismal biology. While studying at Berkeley, he had the opportunity to work as a lab assistant at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. Collin has been an integral part of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy team for a little over four years. Prior to joining Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Collin worked for the Catalina Island Conservancy, where he provided public outreach to visitors of the island and assisted with many of their conservation projects. 

​Celebrate love all weekend long this Valentine’s Day while exploring the charming beauty of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! Change up your Valentine’s Day tradition this weekend with an outdoor adventure and Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s full calendar of activities for all to enjoy. Whether it’s with your significant other, family, or friends, there is lots to love outdoors!
 
Enjoy the winter sunshine with your valentine and take a morning hike through the Natural Landmarks! The diverse flora and fauna throughout the open spaces create the perfect romantic touch for your outdoor adventure. Take your loved one for a refreshing hike through the 1.8-mile Quail Hill Loop Trail, open daily for self-guided tours.

Since 2005, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has made it their mission to preserve and restore natural habitats found throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With their newest restoration project, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers will plant 500 acorn seedlings at the Augustine Staging Area Nursery in Limestone Canyon that will be used to maintain vital oak woodland habitats.
 
The acorns collected by the Conservancy are sourced locally from oak trees throughout the area, giving them a greater chance of success due to acclimation to local climate and soil. After the acorns are collected, they will then be planted at the Augustine Nursery, where staff and volunteers will assist in tending and growing the acorns to seedlings until they are ready for planting. Restoration projects such as this allow Irvine Ranch Conservancy to expand its work of restoring habitats that support local wildlife and plant species.