Blog Archives

Capturing Native Wildlife – On Camera

10/25/2013

Irvine Ranch Conservancy project studies urban impacts on local animals with images from wildlife monitoring cameras.

For the people of Orange County, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks provide a gorgeous getaway from urban life—a place to reconnect with nature and take part in outdoor recreational activity. Yet to thousands of plant and animal species -- some threatened or endangered -- these wildlands are a vital resource, a homeland made up of some of the few remaining intact natural habitats in the region. These wildland areas provide safe haven for a plethora of biologically important bird, mammal and reptile species.

Is Black Star Canyon Haunted?

10/25/2013

Rich in history and local lore, the canyon spans OC Parks and Cleveland National Forest property.

Lots of people wonder if Black Star Canyon is haunted. While most of the stories come from teenagers looking to scare each other, the area's supposedly haunted history becomes a topic of conversation around this time every year. Luckily, OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy offer plenty of self-guided and docent-led opportunities for you to see for yourself.

With views of majestic Red Rocks and miles of trails to explore on foot, bike and horseback, Black Star Canyon is worth a visit – ghosts or no ghosts. Either way, the area is undeniably rich in Orange County history.

Learning the Origins of Halloween Traditions

10/18/2013

Upcoming activities explore history of Halloween in different cultures.

While some people gear up for Halloween, others are getting ready for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). These holidays may seem similar, but their divergent origins will be explored in upcoming programs hosted by Irvine Ranch Conservancy.

First, in OC Parks’ Fremont Nature Preserve, discover the origins of Halloween by learning about the Gaelic festival of Samhain (pronounced SAH-win). Traditionally, the festival marked the end of harvest season, and was observed with a feast where ghosts of deceased relatives were welcomed. However, harmful spirits were warded off by wearing masks or costumes to confuse them. People would carve turnips into lanterns with faces, which were used to scare off these evil spirits. References to this holiday can be found in early Irish literature, and over time the celebrations of Samhain, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ day merged to form the modern-day Halloween.

Capturing Native Wildlife – On Camera

Is Black Star Canyon Haunted?

Learning the Origins of Halloween Traditions

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