Irvine Ranch Conservancy
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate

Protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks with Orange County Fire Watch

7/31/2019

 
PictureA Fire Watch volunteer
​The summer season is often accompanied by scorching heat and dry plants, bringing increased risks of wildfires throughout Orange County. However, Irvine Ranch Conservancy, facilitated in partnership with OC Parks, City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach and the Orange County Fire Authority, takes tremendous efforts to protect the Irvine Ranch Open Space and Orange County Parks through the Orange County Fire Watch network.
 
Managed by Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Orange County Fire Watch is one of the largest volunteer fire watch programs in Southern California. The program is a vital resource that is designed to help reduce the rate of catastrophic wildfires through education, early reporting and deterrence. 


Read More

Celebrate World Nature Conservation Day with Irvine Ranch Conservancy

7/25/2019

 
PictureVolunteer planters
Observed each year on July 28, World Nature Conservation Day recognizes that a healthy environment is the foundation for a stable, productive society, and strives to increase awareness of protecting natural resources around the globe. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, along with OC Parks, the City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, is dedicated to protecting, restoring and enhancing the natural resources found here in Orange County.
 
The historic Irvine Ranch consists of 40,000 acres of open space that has been designated both a State and National Natural Landmark. Home to hundreds of native plants and animal species, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are a model of how urban wilderness can be protected and managed through a network of public and private partnerships.


Read More

The Importance of Staying on Trail Throughout the Landmarks

7/17/2019

 
PictureHikers on trail
​From open space to regional parks, the extensive trail network across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks allows the public to get out and experience the beauty of nature. Irvine Ranch Conservancy, on behalf of OC Parks, City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach, work diligently to maintain the Landmarks through restoration projects, wildlife monitoring, trail maintenance and much more. 
 
In order to properly maintain restoration projects and protect habitat on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visitors should always remain on designated trails when hiking, biking or riding through the Landmarks. For nature enthusiasts, creating their own trail might seem like an adventure, but this can be harmful to the environment. Creating your own path or “shortcut,” using unmarked trails or creating switchbacks can cause erosion, damage wildlife habitat and enable illegal trespassing. It is better for our local environment, and more enjoyable, to take your time and stay on the trail.  


Read More

Landmarks Focus: Raptor Monitoring

7/12/2019

 
PictureRed-tailed Hawk chick in the nest
Many of the raptors seen throughout the developed parts of Orange County were likely born and raised on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.  With plenty of quiet places to nest, and an abundance of food in the springtime, it’s no wonder many raptors decide to raise their young here.  However, nesting season can be a stressful time for raptor families, and they are easily spooked by human activity. 




Read More

Landmarks Focus: Goats!

7/12/2019

 
PictureGoats in Bommer Canyon
If you happened to be passing by Bommer Meadow in the month of May, you might have noticed something unexpected – a herd of goats! The goats were assisting with the beginning stages of a multi-year restoration project being conducted by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy in partnership with the City of Irvine in Bommer Meadow, which was historically part of a working cattle camp. Livestock grazing and the introduction of non-native plants and weeds degraded the natural habitat over time, reducing available food, water and shelter for native plants and wildlife. Invasive plants do not provide the resources necessary to support healthy native wildlife populations, and they also increase wildfire risk, so it is crucial to restore degraded areas with native vegetation to provide wildlife with a functioning habitat and to reduce wildfire.




Read More

Wildlife Spotlight: Chaparral Beargrass

7/12/2019

 
PictureChaparral Beargrass
Within the bounds of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks lives an exceedingly rare plant called Nolina cismontana. This plant, commonly known as chaparral beargrass, is so rare that it is only known to grow within four counties in Southern California. There are thought to be no more than 20,000 chaparral beargrass specimens in the world!




Read More

Wildlife Spotlight: Red-tailed Hawks

7/12/2019

 
PictureRed-tailed Hawk
Red-tailed hawks are some of the most stunning wildlife sights on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Widespread throughout North America, these raptors are frequently spotted throughout Orange County, perched atop telephone poles, tall buildings, trees or circling the skies.




Read More

Summer Destinations on the Landmarks

7/3/2019

 
PictureA lush, shady trail in Newport Beach's Buck Gully Reserve
​Irvine Ranch Conservancy has your summer guide to outdoor adventures
 
It’s starting to feel like summer all across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! Summer vacation is the perfect time of year to get outdoors, soak up the sun and enjoy the natural beauty of Orange County. Gather your family and friends and don’t miss out on these summer destinations!
 
The Sinks in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve are a must-see destination for your summer vacation. This picturesque natural geological formation, composed of dramatically exposed and layered sandstone cliffs, is often called a “mini Grand Canyon” and has become a popular destination among the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Limestone Canyon also stuns visitors with its lush natural habitat, from thick oak woodlands to the rich diversity of plants and animals, all of which can be experienced on a hike or bike ride.


Read More

    About

    Welcome 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

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Agua Chinon
    Baker Canyon
    Big Canyon
    Birds
    Black Star Canyon
    Bommer Canyon
    Buck Gully
    City Of Irvine
    City Of Newport Beach
    Crystal Cove
    Dripping Springs
    Equestrian
    Family Friendly
    Fire
    Fire Watch
    Fremont Canyon
    Grasslands
    Habitat Restoration
    Hicks Haul Road
    Hiking & Fitness
    Interpretive
    Invasive Plants
    Irvine Open Space Preserve
    Irvine Ranch Open Space
    Irvine Regional Park
    Laguna Coast
    Limestone Canyon
    Mesa Loop
    Mountain Biking
    Native Plant Nursery
    Native Plants
    Native Seed Farm
    Nighttime
    OC Parks
    OC Zoo
    O'Neill Regional Park
    Orchard Hills
    Peters Canyon Regional Park
    Quail Hill
    Red Rocks
    Round Canyon
    Safety
    San Joaquin
    Santiago Oaks Regional Park
    Stewardship
    The Sinks
    Tracking
    Trails
    Trail Work
    Upper Newport Bay
    Volunteers
    Weir Canyon
    Wilderness Access Day
    Wildflowers
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Irvine Ranch Conservancy  •  4727 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620  •  714-508-4757  •  info@irconservancy.org

© 2016 Irvine Ranch Conservancy, All Rights Reserved.   Irvine Ranch Conservancy reserves all rights under copyright, including (without limitation) rights to photographs. No permission to copy or publish any portion of this web
site or any material posted on the website is granted without the express written permission of Irvine Ranch Conservancy. 
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate