Irvine Ranch Conservancy
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Join the Stewards of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/26/2017

 
PictureGive back to the land by volunteering for a stewardship opportunity!
Experience rewarding volunteer opportunities by registering for a stewardship program on the open spaces.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks stretch across more than 40,000 acres from Weir Canyon to south Irvine, and are filled with native plants and wildlife. Preserving the natural habitat on the Landmarks is a big job, and the community is invited to help care for the open spaces by joining a stewardship program. Volunteer independently or coordinate a group for a variety of stewardship activities during daily and long-term programs, and give back to nature by becoming an ambassador of the lands!
 
“Volunteering as a steward is a rewarding opportunity to spend time outdoors and build a relationship with the lands,” Matilde De Santiago-Barrows, Community Stewardship Coordinator, said. “The time people spend here makes an impact and helps preserve the open spaces.”


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Snakes and How to Greet Them on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/18/2017

 
Picture
Warmer temperatures and the recent rains are bringing snakes out on the lands – discover why they’re generally not harmful and what to do if you see one!
 
As the weather gets warmer, Orange County locals and visitors begin to hit the trails on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to enjoy a variety of activities that are free with registration. Nature lovers aren’t the only ones enjoying the sun’s rays, snakes are also starting to come out on the Landmarks! The open spaces are home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, and snakes are important part of the natural ecosystem. Despite their infamous reputation, snakes are generally evasive and want to avoid human contact whenever possible. Below you can learn more about snakes in Orange County, why their numbers are expected to increase over summer, and how visitors to the Landmarks can happily coexist with the land and wildlife around them. 


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Celebrate National Endangered Species Day with A Visit to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/12/2017

 
PictureCactus wrens need healthy amounts of cactus to nest in.
​Discover what species on the Landmarks are endangered or listed as a species of concern, and learn what plants and animals are making a comeback on the open spaces.
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to diverse habitats that include coastal sage scrub, chaparral, valley grassland, oak woodland and riparian forest communities, and within those communities are many species of rare plants and wildlife.  With National Endangered Species Day approaching on May 19, celebrating rare species on the Landmarks is simple with a trip into the great outdoors.
 
While many of the animals on the Landmarks can be elusive and avoid human contact, sightings have been reported over the years during free activities. Discover what plants and animals are endangered or species of concern, and register for a free program to celebrate all the plants and wildlife found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.


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Near Record-Rainfall Leads to Increased Habitat Restoration on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/4/2017

 
PictureA restored hillside in OC Parks' Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve shows the contrast between native plants (left) and invasive species such as black mustard (right).
After 5 years of extreme drought, Irvine Ranch Conservancy adapts to the recent rainy season through restoration of the open spaces.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to thousands of acres of thriving native shrubland, woodland, and riparian communities, functioning as important habitat for the region’s wildlife and as natural landscapes for visitors to experience and enjoy.
 
Among the healthy environment lies degraded areas altered by years of cattle ranching and successive wildfires, and stressed by invasive plants and animals. Irvine Ranch Conservancy uses innovative techniques including native plant propagation and seeding, natural regeneration approaches, and targeted weed control on a large—or “landscape-scale”—to increase the area of healthy native habitat. The resulting biologically rich habitat is more resilient to wildfires, invasive species, and climate change. Over the past five years, extreme drought conditions created challenges at some sites. Native seeds struggled to germinate while nonnative drought-tolerate plants excelled, such as the Russian thistle, commonly known as the tumbleweed plant.


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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