Blog Archives

Happy New Year from Irvine Ranch Conservancy

12/22/2021

Wishing all of our Irvine Ranch Conservancy friends and family a happy new year filled with health and happiness! This year, we were grateful to continue restoring the native habitats and enhancing the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks for nature lovers to enjoy.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy team is thankful to the nature enthusiasts who continue to support IRC’s work on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and we look forward to a new year of opportunities!

Helping the Endangered Tecate Cypress Population in Fremont Canyon

12/22/2021

IRC staff plant Tecate Cypress seedlings in Fremont Canyon

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a variety of native flora and fauna, some of which are endangered and in need of protection to ensure the health of these valuable resources. Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Habitat Restoration and Enhancement team has been working with OC Parks on enhancing the endangered Tecate Cypress population in Fremont Canyon.

Representing the northernmost extent of the species, the Tecate Cypress population in Fremont Canyon is striving to make a comeback after wildfire events. This native southern California plant species is one of the rarest on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and can be recognized by its rich green foliage. Some may even say it resembles a Christmas tree.

Wet Weather Trail Tips on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

12/16/2021

As a result of the rain that hit Orange County earlier this week, many trails on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are closed for the safety of the community, and to prevent long term damage to the trail system. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners, OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, want to remind nature lovers to stay off wet trails until they dry out and can once again be explored safely.

Rain is a welcome weather change on the Landmarks, but it can also pose a challenge for trails. We want to remind you of a few wet weather tips this winter season to help minimize trail damage and keep the community safe.

Wildlife Spotlight: White-crowned Sparrow

12/9/2021

White-crowned sparrow.

The white-crowned sparrow is a large sparrow identified by its range of brown and gray feathers with a distinct white and black striped feather pattern on the head. When it comes to their coloring, these birds can be identified by regional differences. For example, white-crowned sparrows that are found along the Pacific Coast tend to have yellow bills and more dull white head stripes, whereas white-crowned sparrows found in the northern United States can have orange or pink bills with slightly different head stripes.

New Signage Helps Visitors Easily Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

12/3/2021

New signage on the left, compared with old signage on the right.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a vast network of trails that allow nature lovers to experience the beauty of Orange County’s native wildlands. Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Planning & Infrastructure team thoughtfully plans and maintains a system of roads, trails, signage, and facilities that allow the public to safely access remote areas of the Landmarks.

In 2020, IRC’s Planning & Infrastructure team began implementing OC Parks’ Master Signage Plan that replaced current signage on the Landmarks with larger, more visible and brighter signs in order to help visitors navigate their way through local wildlands. Within five months of starting the project, the IRC team was able to replace signs in Limestone Canyon, Weir Canyon, Baker Canyon and Black Star Canyon.

Happy New Year from Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Helping the Endangered Tecate Cypress Population in Fremont Canyon

Wet Weather Trail Tips on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

Wildlife Spotlight: White-crowned Sparrow

New Signage Helps Visitors Easily Explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

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