​Think of the trees in a child’s drawing: full, leafy green canopies over thick, sturdy trunks. The California sycamore is a living example of this classic representation. Sycamores, a common sight on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, grow in canyons and riparian habitats, and are sometimes employed for urban landscapes. The sycamore is recognizable for its mottled bark, which gives it the appearance of white and brown patches. Sycamore bark is not as elastic as the bark of other trees, which typically stretches to accommodate a tree’s growth; the rigidity of sycamore bark results in the bark sloughing off in patches. Sycamores can grow to well over 100 feet in height and develop long, leafy green branch spans. 

​If you’ve enjoyed a hike or bike ride through any of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, there’s a good chance you’ve traced the same path as a bobcat! Named for their short tails, these medium-sized felines are also recognized by their spotted coats and distinctive, black-tipped ears. They are a vital part of the local food chain, primarily hunting birds and small mammals like mice, rabbits and squirrels.

​Built into the Shady Canyon trail network in the City of Irvine’s Open Space Preserve, Rabbit Run trail is well known among mountain biking and hiking enthusiasts for its technical challenges and natural beauty.  However, over the years erosion has taken its toll, leaving certain portions of the trail with deep ruts caused by water runoff.  In some sections, these ruts were bordered by sharply slanting rocks, making the trail difficult to negotiate for both hikers and bikers.

Autumn can be a magical season for outdoor enthusiasts.  As the leaves begin to change color and the weather starts to cool, many people find that it’s the perfect time of year to get outside and explore nature.  But in Southern California, the change in season also brings an increased risk of wildfire to our open spaces.  Wildfires are a serious threat in Orange County, but we can all do our part to prevent them from starting and prepare our communities to minimize the damage.
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Most of the wildlands in Orange County go without any rainfall through the hot summer months, causing vegetation to become extremely dry and susceptible to fire.  To make matters worse, dry and hot Santa Ana winds can push down from the mountains out towards the sea, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires to spread quickly.  

​Register for stewardship programs including the “Restoration and Resilience” activity at the Native Seed Farm
 
Nature lovers can give back to the environment and learn how volunteering can have a direct impact on their natural surroundings during National Public Lands Day on September 22 and beyond.  Traditionally held on the fourth Saturday of September, this year’s National Public Lands Day theme is “Restoration and Resilience.” Visitors can celebrate this nature-inspired holiday by registering for a special program at the Native Seed Farm and signing up for stewardship activities throughout the year.
 
“Innovative and ambitious restoration projects are happening across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks,” said Dave Raetz, Irvine Ranch Conservancy Deputy Director. “There is no better way to connect to the State and National Landmarks in Orange County’s backyard than through stewardship programs. In 2017 alone, our volunteers contributed approximately 44,000 hours of their time to restoring the open spaces. National Public Lands Day is a great opportunity for the community to learn more about how they can positively impact local plant and wildlife on the Landmarks all year long.”