Blog Archives

Take Trail Traffic in Stride

3/25/2016

Trail etiquette says bikers yield to hikers, and bikers and hikers yield to equestrians.

Following trail etiquette helps everyone enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Warmer weather, green hillsides and blooming flowers make spring a popular season to visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Most trails within the Landmarks are multi-use trails – shared by hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians – and sharing the trails is everyone’s responsibility. With Spring Break in full swing for many, the potential for more people out on the trails means it’s even more important to practice responsible trail etiquette.

Spot Spring Blooms Around the Landmarks

3/18/2016

Rare wildflowers such as chocolate lilies have been spotted in bloom around the Landmarks.

Tune in to a virtual wildflower tour on March 21, and enjoy opportunities to see blooms firsthand on a variety of programs connecting visitors to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

March 20 marks the first official day of spring, and there are a variety of programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks that let visitors celebrate the season for wildflowers, including a virtual wildflower tour on Monday, March 21.

This year’s inconsistent weather has resulted in many blooms popping up early – short but intense bursts of rain followed by unseasonable heat tricked many wildflowers into thinking that winter was over. Many native wildflowers can already be seen across the Landmarks, and while the hope was for more rainfall, now is the time to see a wide variety of flowers that wouldn’t normally be in bloom until late spring. Common wildflowers such as California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) and Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi) are plentiful in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, alongside more elusive native species including chaparral sweet pea (Lathyrus vestitus) and California golden violets (Viola pedunculata).

Seeing "Green" Around the Landmarks

3/11/2016

Visitors can see how green the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks currently are on a variety of upcoming programs.

From the dark leaves of coastal scrub oak and black sage, to the bright hues of coyote brush and coastal prickly pear cactus, St. Patrick’s Day green is a common color around the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this time of year. Recent rains and the winter season – when native plants come out of dormancy – have made the green shades even more prominent.

There are a variety of activities out on the Landmarks the week of St. Patrick’s Day to spot green in full force, whether during a fast-paced hike, an interactive outdoor adventure or volunteer opportunities giving back.

Help Wildflowers Thrive by Weeding

3/4/2016

Arroyo lupine blows in the wind at the Native Seed Farm while volunteers weed in the background.

The first official day of spring isn’t until March 20, but many flowers on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are already beginning to bloom. Chocolate lilies have been spotted on the slopes of West Loma Ridge in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Weir Canyon Nature Preserve is rich with fields of bright yellow fiddlenecks, and wild hyacinth and sticky monkey flower are plentiful along many trails in Bommer Canyon.

But wildflowers need more than just warm weather and rainfall to thrive long-term. Invasive and non-native plants can steal light and nutrients from native flora, making it harder for native species to grow. In 2012, the small-flowered morning glory – a rare, native flower that was in decline within the Landmarks – was discovered sprouting from dormant seeds in the West Loma Ridge watershed habitat restoration area. This uncommon flower was able to make a comeback in part due to the removal of invasive species; in the absence of weeds, its seeds remaining in the soil were able to return to an environment free of competition from invasive plants.

Take Trail Traffic in Stride

Spot Spring Blooms Around the Landmarks

Seeing "Green" Around the Landmarks

Help Wildflowers Thrive by Weeding

About

Archives

Categories

Take Trail Traffic in Stride

Spot Spring Blooms Around the Landmarks

Seeing "Green" Around the Landmarks

Help Wild﻿flowers Thrive by Weeding

About

Archives

Categories

Help Wildflowers Thrive by Weeding