Blog Archives

How Plants and Animals Adapt to Summer

7/31/2015

Plants and animals, like people, adjust their behavior in the summer as they adapt to raising temperatures and dryer climate.

As the weather heats up in the summer months and people plan restful summer vacations, plants and animals are doing much the same thing. We all notice when the green hillsides across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks start to fade to brown as the plants of our Mediterranean climate react to the arid heat of summer. An upcoming hike in the Buck Gully Reserve gives you the opportunity to take a closer look, and see that these plants are cleverly adapting to warmer weather as a means of survival.

New Hiking Opportunities in Orchard Hills

7/24/2015

Two brand new guided hikes offer new experiences in northern Irvine.

Interest and excitement continue to grow around the docent-led programs offered in Orchard Hills, in the Irvine Open Space Preserve. And for good reason: the top of the upper loop trail offers one of the most spectacular views available within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and the lower loop is perfect for birding and family hikes. Now two new regularly-scheduled hikes will offer more opportunities to experience this view in the evening and even at night.

The Orchard Hills trail system was closed for over a year while a new trailhead facility was being constructed. Starting earlier this month, on behalf of the City of Irvine, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteer docents resumed leading programs in the aptly-named Orchard Hills; once again bringing interested hikers to this portion of the Irvine Open Space Preserve where protected open space and active agriculture create a unique experience.

Hike Early and Beat the Heat

7/17/2015

Nature hiking in the early morning is a great way to enjoy the Landmarks during summer months.

Mornings in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are a perfect time to be out on the land. It’s when the air is crisp and clear and temperatures are pleasant for being active outdoors. With the sun not yet directly overhead, you can discover stunning and dramatically lit views of the canyons, peaks and meandering trails of the Landmarks, as well as sprawling vistas beyond.

A series of weekly morning hikes in the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve and nearby nature preserves are designed to let visitors get in a nature hike before the day gets too hot. Every Wednesday and Thursday, you can take in the impressive landscapes and active wildlife that call the local hills home, while still having plenty of time for whatever else your day may bring.

Orange Coast Names Irvine Ranch Conservancy in ‘Best of 2015’ List

7/10/2015

Volunteers key in achieving “Best Guided Hikes” selection.

Orange Coast magazine has released their “Best of 2015” list, selecting Irvine Ranch Conservancy for “Best Guided Hikes.” The annual list is the result of research and recommendations by Orange Coast staff and contributors, and has been a feature in the magazine since 2008. Since the majority of the Conservancy’s hikes are led by trained volunteers, this award is a reflection of their dedication and talent.

The Conservancy learned of the award through a letter and certificate from the magazine’s editor-in-chief, Martin J. Smith. The “Best of 2015” feature section is included in the July printed edition of Orange Coast, and fittingly, a Conservancy volunteer represents the organization. Long-time volunteer Virginia Webber participated in a “Q&A” interview to commemorate the award, and the interview is also available online.

Fly Over the Landmarks in a Virtual Helicopter

7/3/2015

New exhibit at Discovery Cube OC takes a birds’ eye view of the land.

Exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks trails is great, but with nearly 40,000 acres of sensitive and protected wildlands, only the birds truly get to see it all. Now you can fly over the land, too, in a new virtual helicopter exhibit at Discovery Cube Orange County in Santa Ana.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy partnered with Discovery Cube to develop a 5-minute film called “From the Mountains to the Sea: Journey Over the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.” The project incorporates footage from an actual helicopter flyover with footage shot closer to the ground with a remote-control aerial camera.

Orchard Hills Trails Reopening for Naturalist-Led Activities

7/3/2015

Guided hikes along the two loop trails in Irvine’s Orchard Hills area begin in July.

The top of the Orchard Hills upper loop offers one of the most spectacular views available in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Soon visitors to this part of the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve will once again be able to enjoy the view – and the challenging climb to get there. The trails have been closed due to nearby construction, but are open for guided hikes beginning this summer.

Construction of a new trailhead facility is scheduled to be in early fall, but the over 3-mile trail system will open with a temporary staging area for interpretive and fitness programs guided on behalf of the City by Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteer naturalists.

Grasslands Make a Comeback in Limestone Canyon

7/3/2015

An ongoing native grassland restoration project aims to rehabilitate this endangered habitat and reduce wildfire risk.

As summer months turn green hills to gold, the extremely dry grassy hillsides begin to pose a significant fire risk. Non-native and invasive annual grasses dry up and die, becoming fuel waiting for a spark. Many of these grasses are left behind from former ranching days, and replacing them with native grasslands is one critical step in restoring valuable habitat and reducing wildfire risk.

An ongoing native grasslands restoration project in the West Loma and Bee Flat areas of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve aims to restore former cattle grazing fields to the native grasslands and oak savannas that once thrived there. Land managers are already seeing the fruits of their labor, and at over 50 acres, this is the largest grasslands restoration project within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to date. For many years, grassland habitats in California have been on the decline, since non-native annual grasses can very quickly take over a habitat and choke out the native grasses.

How Plants and Animals Adapt to Summer

New Hiking Opportunities in Orchard Hills

Hike Early and Beat the Heat

Orange Coast Names Irvine Ranch Conservancy in ‘Best of 2015’ List

Fly Over the Landmarks in a Virtual Helicopter

Orchard Hills Trails Reopening for Naturalist-Led Activities

Grasslands Make a Comeback in Limestone Canyon

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