**PLEASE NOTE: Policies and guidelines may have changed since this blog was posted.**

Safety has always been a top priority for most people when they spend time in nature. However, because of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we all need to rethink how we approach our time outdoors to make sure we keep ourselves and our fellow nature lovers safe. Before you head out on your next adventure, we encourage you to keep the following added measures in mind.

First and foremost, if you feel sick, you should stay home and seek medical advice from your doctor. Following the latest CDC advice and using the CDC coronavirus self-checker tool can help you decide if it’s safe for you to venture outdoors. If you are able to head outside, it is important to check and make sure that the trail or park you wish to visit is open before you go. During these uncertain times, parks and trails can be closed on short notice for a variety of reasons, so it is good to know their status before you make the effort to travel to your destination. Check LetsGoOutside.org for the status of City of Irvine-owned trails, and be sure to check the OC Parks website before heading out to any OC Parks trails or facilities. You should also check to make sure your pack has all the essentials you will need for your trip, including water. We encourage everyone to add the following items to their pack to limit the potential transmission of infectious diseases:

​Did you know that about 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move pollen grains for fertilization? Pollination is an essential process in sustaining a functioning ecosystem. The work of pollination is shared by a variety of different pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats, ants, wasps, and some small mammals.
 
Irvine Ranch Conservancy works consistently to protect and restore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC grows more than 50 native plant species on the Native Seed Farm in Irvine, attracting a variety of local pollinators. We use the seed grown at the Native Seed Farm for restoration projects across the Landmarks, where pollinators play their role to help these native species thrive in the wild. Even with the hard work of IRC staff and volunteers, local pollinators can still use your help to keep our native wildlands thriving. 

​Monday, June 15 is Nature Photography Day and we want to see nature through your lens!
 
Introduced in 2006 by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA), Nature Photography Day was created to celebrate the enjoyment of nature photography and to show how images can be used to advance the cause of conservation and protection of plants, wildlife and landscapes all over the world.
 
We want to see your favorite picture (or pictures) that you’ve taken on your outdoor adventures. Whether it be a picture of your favorite trail, colorful wildflower blooms, a snapshot of native wildlife or nature found in your own backyard - we want to see them! 

Each day, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers work to build the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks into an internationally acclaimed treasure of conservation management and recreational enjoyment. With a wide range of restoration projects and guided activities regularly taking place throughout the Landmarks, there is a certain amount of maintenance that needs to be done to ensure safe, high-quality experiences on the land.
 
Scott King, Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Facility & Fleet Coordinator, is responsible for facility maintenance, coordinating and performing maintenance on IRC’s vehicle fleet, and working on various improvement projects at facilities and on the land. Scott’s work is critical to the organization and supports every one of IRC’s program areas.