Blog Archives

Beat the Heat on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

7/27/2017

Stay safe under the summer sun during Wilderness Access Day at Limestone Canyon on August 5 and all season long.

Nature lovers can enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during Wilderness Access Day programs throughout the year, and explore the lands by foot, bike, or saddle! Wilderness Access Days are free with required preregistration and give visitors the opportunity to travel through designated trails during self-guided access.

The upcoming Wilderness Access Day at Limestone Canyon kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 5 and welcomes outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy mild walks or strenuous cardio hikes at your own pace. With summer in full swing it’s important to keep heat safety in mind, and we’ve rounded up tips on spotting heat exhaustion and staying safe under the summer sun. Check out the tips below and register for a program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks today!

Discover the History and Charm of the Native Seed Farm

7/21/2017

Learn how the Native Seed Farm helps the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks thrive, and register for a stewardship program on the Farm to dig in soon!

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to many rare and native species that inhabit the lands from the mountains to the sea. Many of these species are being threatened by degradation and invasive plants, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy works to preserve the many wildflowers, shrubs, and native trees that grow throughout the Landmarks. The Native Seed Farm is an integral part of preservation and restoration on the open spaces, and staff and volunteers are rolling up their up sleeves and harvesting seeds to help the Landmarks thrive. Discover how the Farm helps the Landmarks self-sustain and register for a program at the Native Seed Farm today!

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks During Family-Friendly Programs

7/14/2017

Families can explore the sights, sounds, and smells of the Landmarks during slower-paced hikes and other family-friendly programs.

Skip the screens and devices and head to the Landmarks for outdoor family fun, fresh air, and exercise this summer!

School is out and summertime is the perfect season to gather the family and head to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Exploring the local lands is a way to disconnect from electronics and reconnect your little ones, tweens, and teens with the great outdoors. The Landmarks are home to many programs that nature lovers as young as eight years old can enjoy, so set aside the screens and devices and head to the open spaces for a family-friendly program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

From Blight to Beauty

7/5/2017

Native poppies and chia now bloom in Buck Gully where ice plant once dominated the hillside.

See the difference native plants can make at Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve.

The Buck Gully Reserve within the City of Newport Beach encompasses 300 acres of high quality coastal sage scrub and riparian habitat bounded by single-family residences on one side, and the Pelican Hill Golf Course on the other. Still, the expanse supports a highly diverse native plant population and is the perfect respite for the region’s wildlife.

But amidst the native willows and sycamores, Buck Gully’s northwestern zone has been the site of degraded habitat. The need to create “fuel breaks” or a Hazard Reductions Zone between the nearby homes and the wildlands had left the region with a hillside covered with invasive ice plant. And by 2013, the plant meant to suppress wildfires had mostly died, becoming a potential fire hazard itself.

What the Near-Record Rains Means for Wildfire Season

7/5/2017

More rain does not necessarily mean fewer fires on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

There’s more water in local reservoirs, streams, and vernal pools across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks than there has been in years, but that doesn’t mean the wildlands are out of the woods when it comes to potential fire danger. Thanks in part to the rain, nonnative grasses and weeds such as Sahara mustard have sprouted taller and denser than previous years. And as the weather heats up, that vegetation could quickly dry out and become fodder to fuel wildfires.

Here we ask Tony Pointer, Fire Watch Coordinator at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, his views on the upcoming fire season:

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

7/5/2017

A hiker crosses from Baker Trail to Silmod Trail in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.

Black Star Canyon marks the boundary between the northeastern expanse of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and the Cleveland National Forest beyond.

Want to take in panoramic views of soaring red rock cliffs, vistas of Irvine Lake, and—on clear days—a peak at Catalina Island? Then take advantage of Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park, where miles of varied trails offer pleasant strolls for beginning hikers and families, and also challenging experiences for seasoned trail users.

Black Star Canyon and the adjacent Baker Canyon are historical hotspots, with tales and stories harkening to the region’s ranching days, its once-numerous population of California grizzly bears, and the region’s first residents—the Gabrieleno and Tongva peoples.

Beat the Heat on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Discover the History and Charm of the Native Seed Farm

Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks During Family-Friendly Programs

From Blight to Beauty

What the Near-Record Rains Means for Wildfire Season

Black Star Canyon Trails and Views Are Worth the Trip

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