Blog Archives

Celebrate Spring with a Sunset Hike

4/26/2013

Activity in Baker Canyon commemorates “Walpurgis Night,” a European celebration of spring.

Across Europe, May Day is celebrated as Walpurgis Night – an evening of song and dance that commemorates the arrival of spring. Learn more about the ways that different countries put their own spin on this traditional holiday during “Celebrate Cultures in Nature: Walpurgis Night” on Wednesday, May 1.

Named for Saint Walpurga, Walpurgis Night is traditionally celebrated outdoors. For instance, people of Finland celebrate with carnivals and picnics, and the holiday is as important in that country as Christmas. In Germany, people begin gathering on April 30, celebrating through to May 1. German folklore says that witches gathered on a nearby mountain called the Brocken to await the arrival of spring.

Converting Ranch Roads to Sustainable Trails

4/19/2013

Trails to Dripping Springs in Limestone Canyon are temporarily closed for improvements.

In the heart of Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, an oasis of lush vegetation stands evergreen, in contrast to the surrounding arid landscape. Birds flit from leaf to leaf against a vine-covered rock face that seeps water, creating a pool below. This is Dripping Springs, and it is a haven for wildlife – one of the few fresh water sources available in the northern part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Until this year, a double-track trail created from a former ranch road passed within a quarter-mile of this sensitive habitat. Now OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy are working to convert the former road to a single-track trail. A single-track trail would improve the health of the habitat for wildlife by decreasing the amount of physical disturbance and providing more cover close to the much-used water source.

City of Irvine Hosts Earth Day in Bommer Canyon

4/10/2013

Free event includes hiking, bird watching and other earth-friendly ways to enjoy open space.

Every year, people around the world celebrate their connections to the environment on Earth Day. The City of Irvine and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy invite the public to celebrate Earth Day at Bommer Canyon, exploring the connections between urban life and the open spaces that are so close to home.

The event will be held in conjunction with the monthly Wilderness Access Day on Saturday, April 20, beginning at 9 a.m. Community partners will provide information on native plants, local wildlife, outdoor adventures, and the City’s environmental initiatives until 1 p.m. at Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp. Residents are invited to continue exploring all Bommer Canyon trails until 3 p.m.

Counting Kites and Tallying Red-Tails

4/5/2013

During spring, love is in the air for many local wildlife species. Birds of prey are nesting from January through August, and giving them plenty of space while they rear their young is key to their continued survival. So, how do we know where the raptors are nesting and which trails to avoid? Well, we count the nests across much of the 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

In 2012, nearly 150 raptor territories were surveyed within the Landmarks and adjacent properties, from Newport Bay to Weir Canyon. The survey was conducted by Bloom Biological Inc., which has conducted this survey annually since 2004. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy supports this survey as part of its land stewardship responsibilities.

Celebrate Spring with a Sunset Hike

Converting Ranch Roads to Sustainable Trails

City of Irvine Hosts Earth Day in Bommer Canyon

Counting Kites and Tallying Red-Tails

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