Blog Archives

Restoration and Recreation in Buck Gully

7/25/2014

This coastal canyon is the perfect spot for summer volunteering or hiking.

On a hot summer day, heading to the coast is a popular way to cool down. However, you don't have to fight beach crowds to benefit from the cooler temperatures if you head over to Buck Gully Reserve in Newport Beach. There you'll find shady trails along the bottom of a small canyon that many don't even know exists in the beach city.

Buck Gully Reserve is owned by the City of Newport Beach, with nearly 5 miles of winding trails through the 1,200 acre canyon. The trails wind through lush native vegetation, and even pass an active Water Wise Native Plant Demonstration project, managed by Irvine Ranch Conservancy in partnership with City staff. The project area has many varieties of native plants along a slope, to give neighbors and visitors the chance to see how these types of drought-resistant and drought-tolerant plants look and grow.

Preparation is Key for Trail Safety

7/18/2014

Tips to keep you safe this summer while out on the trail.

Following simple trail safety tips can help keep you prepared during the summer and avoid problems such as dehydration, accidents and injury. Proper preparation is the key to enjoying your activity in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Dehydration is a major concern for outdoor activities, especially in summer. Drinking water before, during and after your activity is the best way to stay hydrated. Most people are not aware that thirst can be an early sign of dehydration, so drink before you’re thirsty. Water is generally not available at the staging areas or along the trails, so it’s important to bring your own. A good rule of thumb to follow is to bring 1 liter, or 32 ounces, of water for each hour, per person.

Phainopepla Flock to Limestone Canyon

7/11/2014

Come see these beautiful birds that are making Agua Chinon home for the summer.

Perched on the topmost branch of an elderberry, a shiny black bird turns his head, showing off his crest. Ruffling his black feathers he casts his bright red eyes about the area and calls out with a questioning "Wurp?" to his fellow Phainopepla. Lately, more and more sightings of this uniquely-named bird (pronounced fay-no-PEP-la) have been reported in the Agua Chinon area of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon, an increase which birders and biologists say is as unique as the name.

On behalf of OC Parks, land manager Irvine Ranch Conservancy conducts bird counts throughout areas such as Limestone Canyon, and in just the past few months they have noted a sharp increase in the number of Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens)in Agua Chinon, especially around areas of elderberry (Sambucus nigra). Conservancy staff and volunteers counted just 4 individuals in Agua Chinon in April, then in June counted 64 in the same area.

Fighting Increased Fire Danger with Increased Vigilance

7/4/2014

New Fire Watch program seeks to help curb wildfire during record dry spell in California.

Over the last 12 months, Orange County has seen less than half of the normal monthly rainfall. In May of this year, we received less than 5% of normal precipitation, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Extreme drought conditions are expected to persist or intensify through the summer. These conditions have brought an earlier “fire season” to Southern California, with local fire watch groups deploying in January, March, April and May of this year.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center indicates a higher probability of warmer-than-normal conditions in Southern California through August, and above-normal wildland fire potential is predicted by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). In these conditions, watching out for suspicious or irresponsible activity becomes even more critical. Several groups — including Fire Safe Council of East Orange County Canyons, Great Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council and Rancho Mission Viejo Land Stewards — organize and deploy fire watch volunteers during Red Flag Warnings issued by NWS to help prevent wildfire. The largest of these groups is now the Orange County Fire Watch program.

Wildlife Slideshow - Family Vacation

7/4/2014

As you head out on your own family vacation this summer, we bring you some wildlife families enjoying the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Photos from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Wildlife Monitoring Project.

Badgers Coming Back to Orange County

7/4/2014

A sighting of the elusive American badger means good news for local habitat.

An American badger was reported in February near OC Parks’ Santiago Oaks Regional Park in Orange, the first local sighting in nearly a decade. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife lists the animal as a “species of special concern,” meaning that while it is not threatened or endangered, its population has been in serious decline.

On par with the coyote and bobcat, the badger is a top predator, and evidence that the mammal resides in Orange County wilderness is a good sign of the overall health of the local ecosystem. Badgers are efficient predators of both small mammals and rodents, whose populations are higher due to the variety and abundance of food in their habitat. The health of badgers at the top of the food chain indicates health at the bottom of the food chain as well.

Improved Emerald Canyon Trail Reopens

7/4/2014

Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Trail reopens after months of work by community members.

With the help of non-profit organizations, members of the public and community groups, OC Parks reopened the Emerald Canyon Trail at the end of June. The trail was closed due to extensive damage sustained after heavy rains in 2010. The trail reconstruction included constructing a 60-foot bridge over a landslide area.

The project is a partnership between OC Parks, as the land owner, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Laguna Canyon Foundation, as non-profit support groups focused on the protection and preservation of the open space. Working together with community groups such as SHARE Mountain Bike Club and other volunteers from the public, the challenging project made constant progress over a six-month period.

Restoration and Recreation in Buck Gully

Preparation is Key for Trail Safety

Phainopepla Flock to Limestone Canyon

Fighting Increased Fire Danger with Increased Vigilance

Wildlife Slideshow - Family Vacation

Badgers Coming Back to Orange County

Improved Emerald Canyon Trail Reopens

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