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Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Caytlin LeBlanc, Volunteer Coordinator

3/25/2021

 
PictureCaytlin LeBlanc, Volunteer Coordinator
​The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are an important part of the natural wildlands in Orange County and here at Irvine Ranch Conservancy, it’s our mission to protect, restore and preserve these native lands. In order to continue our mission, we rely on the help of our strong network of IRC volunteers, who contribute tens of thousands of hours annually to protecting the Landmarks and engaging the community to ensure these beautiful wildlands remain healthy and can be enjoyed by future generations.
 
IRC volunteers are essential to the work being done on the Landmarks and are seen as an extension of IRC staff. One of the Conservancy staff members behind the team of IRC volunteers is Volunteer Coordinator Caytlin LeBlanc. An integral part of the IRC Volunteer Management team, Caytlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, specializing in Wildlife and Natural Resource Management from Abilene Christian University in Texas. Joining the Conservancy team three years ago, Caytlin’s job duties revolve around coordinating trail patrols, stewardship patrols and public activities on the Landmarks, preparing volunteer training programs, and maintaining the LetsGoOutside.org website, so nature lovers can easily access the land.


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Improvements and Repairs Made to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

3/11/2021

 
PictureIRC Planning & Infrastructure team make improvements to the Red Rock Staging Area
​State and local COVID-19 guidelines forced many guided activities on the land to be postponed this past year.  However, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its land-owning partners, OC Parks, the City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach, decided to take advantage of the closures to make land improvements and conduct wildfire recovery efforts in preparation for the resumption of public activities and access as guidelines are eased.
 
Increased wildfire danger has become more of a threat to the Landmarks in recent years, with fires occurring 90% more frequently than natural return intervals of 70 to 150 years. In October 2020, the Silverado Fire burned about 12,466 acres of land in Orange County, damaging infrastructure and natural habitats on the Landmarks. With public activities halted due to the COVID-19 shutdown, IRC staff have been able to restore the damaged infrastructure at a quicker pace, while also improving areas of the Landmarks for future public enjoyment.
 
During the Silverado Fire, 80% of the Portola Staging Area was damaged, as well as the loss of the Sinks viewing decks and two 40-foot trail bridges in Limestone Canyon. IRC’s Infrastructure and Planning crew have since rebuilt the Portola Staging Area with enhancements, improving the size of the staging area, rehabilitating vegetation, and upgrading public amenities. In Limestone Canyon, the IRC team is planning a complete rebuild of the bridges and viewing decks in 2021, reconstructing the structures with fireproof materials and a one-way trail system leading to the viewing decks for easier visitor traffic flow.


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Experience Springtime on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

3/4/2021

 
Picture
​Springtime in Orange County is one of the most ideal seasons to get out and explore what nature has to offer. The first day of spring is quickly approaching on March 20, which means the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks will be filled with fresh blooms and a variety of wildlife, presenting the perfect excuse to get outside and enjoy these native wildlands.
 
With 7-day access trails on the Landmarks, nature lovers can experience the first signs of spring from the heart of Irvine to the coast of Newport Beach. The City of Irvine is home to a variety of trails in Bommer Canyon and Quail Hill that are open for passive self-guided access daily from dawn to dusk.  Quail Hill is ideal for a quick escape into nature and is a delight in the springtime due to the abundance of birds and other wildlife foraging for food and shelter.  Meanwhile, Bommer Canyon offers a wider range of hiking opportunities perfect for hikers of all skill levels. 


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    About

    Welcome to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy "News from the Field" blog. These articles are written by Conservancy staff about activities and projects in and near the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. 

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Irvine Ranch Conservancy  •  4727 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620  •  714-508-4757  •  info@irconservancy.org

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  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate