Visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in celebration of National Screen-Free Week to connect with nature and enjoy fresh air and exercise. 

National Screen-Free Week kicks off on May 1, and the seven-day celebration encourages people to put down their devices and take time to enjoy the great outdoors. The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a variety of programs, welcoming the community to explore the unique geology and diverse range of flora and fauna found on the lands. Register for a free activity on the Landmarks to enjoy fresh air and sweeping views, from the mountains to the sea.  
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are found near densely populated areas, making them an oasis of nature amidst an urban landscape. Hundreds of species of plants and animals live on the open spaces, including eagles, badgers, mountain lions, rare species of birds and trees, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians.Screen-Free Week is the perfect opportunity to discover the wilderness in your own backyard, and explore permanently protected and rare natural habitats.

Celebrate Arbor Day by registering for a free program on the open spaces, and explore the trees of the Landmarks during the month of April and beyond.
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National Arbor Day is April 28, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by registering for a free program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With over 40,000 acres of protected open spaces, the Landmarks are home to many majestic species that are a vital part of Southern California’s Mediterranean climate. Some species provide shade while others rely on the warm climate to survive, and they’re all an important part of the local habitat. From the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully to OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon, there are a variety of trees to admire on the lands in honor of Arbor Day. 
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​Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) are among the most recognizable trees on the Landmarks, thanks to their distinctive, contorted branches that can stretch low and spread out in all directions. Mature coast live oaks can reach a height of up to 80 feet and can live for roughly 250 years if left to grow. Hikers can admire coast live oaks during the Thursday Morning Trek: Agua Chinon and The Sinks on Thursday, April 27, which begins in the City of Irvine and stretches into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Paved Hicks Haul Road in Limestone Canyon also offers coast live oak sightings during weekly programs.

Connect with nature and give back to the environment by joining a stewardship program on the Irvine Ranch Landmarks.
 
Earth Day is quickly approaching and nature lovers can find many opportunities to give back to the environment on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The Landmarks are a wonderful representation of the natural heritage of Orange County, and the community is invited to register for a free stewardship program in honor of Earth Day. Celebrate this national holiday throughout the month of April and beyond, and enjoy fresh air and breathtaking scenery while caring for the local lands. 

Earth Day is a special occasion on the open spaces, and doubles as an anniversary. The Irvine Natural Landmarks were designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 2006, when protected land on the former Irvine Ranch was recognized for its rare biological and geological features. Then in 2008, nearly 40,000 acres were named the first California Natural Landmark on Earth Day. The inaugural title was earned under a new state program that recognized and encouraged the stewardship of extraordinary examples of natural resources, and the Landmarks continue to welcome the public to participate in stewardships.

The Native Seed Farm is in full bloom and now is the time to register for a program to help plant and harvest seeds amidst vibrant rows of wildflowers.
 
Spring is in the air and the Native Seed Farm is in full bloom! Thanks to the efforts of volunteers, rows and rows of colorful wildflowers are growing across the seed farm, and there’s never been a better time to register for a stewardship program to help care for native species. Harvesting seeds and growing seedlings is vital to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and creates a self-sustaining process that keeps local plants and wildflowers thriving from season to season. Take the opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying the surrounding scenery and join a stewardship program at the Native Seed Farm!
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The Native Seed Farm is nestled in the City of Irvine, located on Jeffrey Road just north of Portola Parkway. The farm offers convenient parking near the farm entrance, and is a flat, easy-to-access site with shade available. A hub of the Landmarks, the farm harvests as much as 1,000 pounds of seeds per year which fuel various restoration projects throughout the lands. This year, California goldfields—a flowering plant in the daisy family—were planted for the first time, and their yellow blooms were a welcome addition to the farm. Pink hues of Owl’s Clover can also be seen, along with the cylindrical, purple blooms of Arroyo Lupine. Orange Poppies are also growing abundantly on the farm, supporting the growth of California’s state flower.