At each trailhead throughout the City of Irvine’s (COI) trail system in the Irvine Ranch Open Space is a series of helpful “Know Before You Go” signs. These signs come in a variety of shapes and colors to grab your attention and provide important reminders, like carrying a sufficient amount of water with you in the heat. IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team, led by Director Adam Maywhort, is responsible for maintaining these signs and gates, as well as designing, building and maintaining the comprehensive network of trails, roads, bridges, and anything else the public interacts with when on the land.
With warmer weather and longer days on the way, outdoor enthusiasts throughout Orange County are gearing up to hit the trails to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty. However, with fluctuating weather, it’s imperative to know which trails are accessible, and what items you should carry with you before beginning your outdoor adventure.
At each trailhead throughout the City of Irvine’s (COI) trail system in the Irvine Ranch Open Space is a series of helpful “Know Before You Go” signs. These signs come in a variety of shapes and colors to grab your attention and provide important reminders, like carrying a sufficient amount of water with you in the heat. IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team, led by Director Adam Maywhort, is responsible for maintaining these signs and gates, as well as designing, building and maintaining the comprehensive network of trails, roads, bridges, and anything else the public interacts with when on the land. The City of Irvine’s (COI) East Fork area in the Bommer Canyon Nature Preserve has been part of a large-scale restoration project with Irvine Ranch Conservancy since 2018. This 4.2-acre portion of Bommer Canyon, located where the East Fork trail meets the Bommer Pass trail, was historically used for agriculture, and severely degraded with invasive plant species such as mustard and non-native grasses. The site is typically only accessible during Wilderness Access Days and guided activities.
IRC’s Restoration and Enhancement Team took on this endeavor to restore habitat for threatened species such as the California gnatcatcher and cactus wren. This required removing invasive plants and replacing them with a diverse set of native shrubs. IRC’s team experimented with several restoration techniques in the process and involved community volunteers frequently. This past weekend, Orange County Fire Watch and Irvine Ranch Conservancy hosted the 2023 Fire Watch Symposium to raise awareness about wildfires and wildfire prevention with their volunteers and the community. Alongside their partners, Orange County Fire Authority, National Weather Service, OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, the symposium highlighted the crucial work that is done by their Fire Watch volunteers.
The Orange County Fire Watch program was designed to bring together volunteers and staff to provide early fire detection, deter arsonists, and help reduce the frequency of human-caused wildland fires, especially during high-risk circumstances and extreme weather conditions. Tony Pointer, OC Fire Watch Program Manager and IRC team member, kicked off the well-attended event and began the annual symposium by expressing gratitude for the existing 300 Fire Watch volunteers that deploy during Red Flag Warning days and explaining the work that they do. One of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark’s most important plants is the coast live oak, the foundation of a healthy oak woodland habitat. OC Parks’ Weir Canyon Nature Preserve has been recognized for having one of the largest intact oak woodlands in Orange County. This oak tree population, however, has faced a number of challenges over the last few years.
A small, invasive pest known as the Gold Spotted Oak Borer beetle made its way from Arizona in recent years and has threatened oak trees throughout California. Oak trees in San Diego were devastated by the arrival of these beetles. After a population of beetles were found in Weir Canyon, the team quickly jumped into action to contain the threat, but the oak population was still impacted. The Canyon 2 Fire in 2017 provided an additional stress to the ecosystem, causing damage to the young oak trees and the surrounding habitat. The oak population in Weir Canyon was in need of assistance. |
AboutWelcome 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. Archives
September 2023
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