Irvine Ranch Conservancy
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Restoration Success: Agua Chinon Continues to Thrive

10/6/2017

 
PictureWater from Agua Chinon joins the San Diego Creek, and ends in Upper Newport Bay.
Restoring degraded landscapes is a challenge, but the results can have a significant positive impact on native plants and wildlife. 

Five years ago, the 1,200-acre Agua Chinon canyon was filled with non-native species like pampas grass, castor bean and mustard weed, which invaded after numerous fires and years of cattle grazing. In 2013, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy with support from OC Waste & Recycling and OC Transportation Authority (OCTA) developed the Agua Chinon Restoration Project–an effort to revitalize the land in the Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. The goals remain to remove invasive species, plant native species, and bring OC Parks’ Agua Chinon back to a thriving ecosystem for wildlife and a true destination for hikers. Now after five years of restoration work, Agua Chinon boasts enhanced habitat including oak and willow trees, elderberry, mule fat, and other native riparian plant life and associated wildlife.

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Volunteers help restore riparian habitat in Agua Chinon.
“My life’s work is to be a part of a project that will have a lasting impact and undo some of the damage that’s been done to these lands,” said Robert Freese, the Restoration Project Manager. “It’s great to see the community get involved—from bird watching to stewardships—it’s really a community effort. You’re always learning something new in this constantly evolving process.”
 
The restoration project started with researchers gathering baseline data followed by two years of site preparation. During the process, “trial plots” were planted with various native species to identify which plants would thrive in the sandy soil. After two years, native species began to thrive. Visitors can now visit Agua Chinon and experience native plant life like shrubs, poppies and lupines.
Local wildlife has also returned to the native habitat, including the California Gnatcatcher, which can be spotted in spring and is dependent on the shrub habitat restored in Agua Chinon. Six times a year, crews venture to remote areas of Agua Chinon to complete bird surveys and monitor the insects and other wildlife. These surveys depict how the ecosystem is adapting to the restoration.
 
Today, site maintenance and monitoring continues in Agua Chinon. By working with the community through stewardship programs, invasive species are weeded out and native plants are re-introduced. Visitors can participate in stewardship programs to promote the restoration and see the benefits of their hard work first-hand through hikes and activities.
 
Join Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers to preserve the local lands. All activities offered are free with required pre-registration. For more details on stewardship programs, hikes, and other activities visit LetsGoOutside.org/activities.
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Near Record-Rainfall Leads to Increased Habitat Restoration on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/4/2017

 
PictureA restored hillside in OC Parks' Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve shows the contrast between native plants (left) and invasive species such as black mustard (right).
After 5 years of extreme drought, Irvine Ranch Conservancy adapts to the recent rainy season through restoration of the open spaces.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to thousands of acres of thriving native shrubland, woodland, and riparian communities, functioning as important habitat for the region’s wildlife and as natural landscapes for visitors to experience and enjoy.
 
Among the healthy environment lies degraded areas altered by years of cattle ranching and successive wildfires, and stressed by invasive plants and animals. Irvine Ranch Conservancy uses innovative techniques including native plant propagation and seeding, natural regeneration approaches, and targeted weed control on a large—or “landscape-scale”—to increase the area of healthy native habitat. The resulting biologically rich habitat is more resilient to wildfires, invasive species, and climate change. Over the past five years, extreme drought conditions created challenges at some sites. Native seeds struggled to germinate while nonnative drought-tolerate plants excelled, such as the Russian thistle, commonly known as the tumbleweed plant.


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Volunteers Can 'Adopt a Grassland' This Spring

4/1/2016

 
PictureA gust of wind blows through the native grass littleseed muhly (Muhlenbergia microsperma) along Agua Chinon in Limestone Canyon.
Public support is needed to help large-scale restoration project re-introducing native grasses to the Landmarks.

The spring green you see covering the hills hides a dirty secret: A lot of that green comes from non-native grass that will die in the summer and become potential fuel for wildfire. The ranching history of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks includes plants that were brought here to support cattle grazing in the hills. Now that land managers are restoring local habitat for the benefit of wildlife, attention is being turned to the importance of re-introducing native grasses.


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Seeing "Green" Around the Landmarks

3/11/2016

 
PictureVisitors can see how green the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks currently are on a variety of upcoming programs.
From the dark leaves of coastal scrub oak and black sage, to the bright hues of coyote brush and coastal prickly pear cactus, St. Patrick’s Day green is a common color around the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this time of year. Recent rains and the winter season – when native plants come out of dormancy – have made the green shades even more prominent.
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There are a variety of activities out on the Landmarks the week of St. Patrick’s Day to spot green in full force, whether during a fast-paced hike, an interactive outdoor adventure or volunteer opportunities giving back.


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Share the Landmarks with Someone Special

2/5/2016

 
PictureValentine's Day is the perfect time to spot hearts out in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.
Give those who matter most to you the gift of quality time together outdoors this Valentine’s Day.

Wildflowers are starting to bloom; the sun is out a bit longer each night; and if you look up in the sky, you just might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of raptors courting – all sure signs Valentine’s Day is nearing in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Rather than book a reservation at a crowded, overpriced restaurant to celebrate, surprise your loved one this year with an outdoor adventure.

​Whether it’s a romantic night hike, an adventurous outing, or an excursion for the whole family, show the people who matter most to you one of the most special sights in Orange County by exploring the Landmarks together this Valentine’s Day. Read more below to see which activity is right for you.


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Bettering Your Bird Knowledge

11/6/2015

 
PictureThe yellow-rumped warbler has returned to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Photo courtesy of David Furseth.
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks provides a perfect backdrop to catch sight of birds that have nested after fall migration.

​While color-changing trees and native plants beginning to leaf might catch the eye of Orange County residents desperate for signs of autumn, there are more clues high in the sky that fall is upon us: birds! October was peak season for fall migration, and luckily the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks’ balmy Mediterranean climate provides a perfect escape from colder temperatures for the large variety of migratory birds making their way south.


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Lending a Hand to Habitat Restoration

10/30/2015

 
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The few can be mighty, and nothing better attests to that than the work and rewards of community stewardship.

Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are rich in oak-filled valleys, expansive grasslands and plentiful coastal sage. Protecting those lands from invasive non-native plants to keep wildlife thriving takes attentive, consistent and continuous dedication.

This is where community volunteers have the biggest impact – dedicating muscle and manpower to protecting nearly 40,000 acres of open space. Even the smallest amount of effort goes far in habitat restoration; for instance, a modest team of workers last week pulled 20,000 invasive plants from OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve in just two days.


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Two Ways to Explore Agua Chinon

9/25/2015

 
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In Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, there is a scenic 1,200-acre canyon called Agua Chinon. This unique area starts in an oak riparian habitat and travels up through coastal sage scrub to The Sinks, providing visitors with a great hike or ride as well as a peek into active habitat restoration. The diverse opportunities for recreation and volunteering along this one stretch of canyon makes Agua Chinon a popular destination for visitors of varied interests.

​OC Parks hosts regular hikes and rides along the Agua Chinon trail, led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and docents. You can also join Conservancy staff to participate in habitat restoration work on this beautiful bit of OC Parks open space. Many hikers walking by the restoration areas on their way to The Sinks are able to see the restoration as it progresses, and this personal connection leads them to become more actively involved in the project.


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Volunteers Needed to ‘Adopt’ Local Canyons

9/4/2015

 
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Each time you hike or ride past a hill in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and see a little brightly-colored flag, that’s a sign of native habitat on the rebound. Land managers develop and plan ongoing restoration and invasive plant removal projects, but long-term health of local wildlands depends on long-term support from community volunteers.  If you have a favorite trail or view, consider pitching in and “adopting” that canyon. OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach all have opportunities to help restore habitat in the natural places you love.

To further the goal of long-term habitat health, organizations such as Irvine Ranch Conservancy organize monthly volunteer stewardship opportunities to allow members of the community to give their time in the same location over time. This rewarding habit allows volunteers to see the fruits of their efforts every time the revisit the canyon they love. The difficulty level of each activity varies, but all tools and training are provided. There are a few of these monthly activities coming up this week, and you can 
click here to see all of the volunteer stewardship opportunities that happen monthly.


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All About 'The Sinks'

4/24/2015

 
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A picturesque, natural sandstone formation in Limestone Canyon has become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

In the southern portion of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve sits “The Sinks,” a striking geological formation consisting of dramatically exposed and layered sandstone cliffs. The raised viewing platform that overlooks an impressive view of The Sinks has become a popular destination for explorers of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. While the beauty of The Sinks is instantly understood by all who visit, the history of the formation is millions of years in the making


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Restoring Habitat Across the Landmarks

4/3/2015

 
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Landowners and partner groups are restoring hundreds of acres of open space wildlife habitat.

There are hundreds of acres of habitat restoration projects currently underway across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Restoring native habitat at a large scale is a challenge but is the most effective means of improving long-term habitat health in areas overrun by weeds. Many different landowners and partner groups perform habitat restoration projects, and there are many opportunities for the public to get involved. On behalf of landowners such as OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, as well as agencies such as Orange County Transportation Authority, Irvine Ranch Conservancy currently manages nearly 200 acres of active habitat restoration, ranging in intensity from sites that need two years of site preparation, seeding, transplanting and site maintenance to sites with some existing native vegetation that just need weed control. Here are details for some of those projects:


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Update: Agua Chinon Habitat Restoration

1/2/2015

 
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The project is entering its second year, with many signs of progress.

One of the biggest challenges for any habitat restoration project in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks is access to water. While some projects benefit from leftover cattle trough water lines from the area’s ranching days, other projects need to rely on more creative methods. In the Agua Chinon area of OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon, a nearby municipal water source has made access to water possible, improving the success rate of a 30-acre habitat restoration project. 

However, as visitors to Agua Chinon have noticed, bringing that water from the tank to the plants involves a thick main irrigation line running along the trail, with several smaller lines going off into the planting areas. Not the most natural sight to see, but a true sign of the rehabilitation that continues in this wildlife habitat. Currently the majority of the work is being done in a 17-acre mitigation area funded by OC Waste & Recycling and managed by Irvine Ranch Conservancy. As the project enters its second year, the regular irrigation has meant steady progress in returning this watershed back to a more native environment.


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Winter Bird Migration in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

1/2/2015

 
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Winter is a great time to see a variety of birds as they return to Southern California for nesting season.

Did you know that hundreds of bird species are migrating to and through Orange County throughout the year, and that the winter migration period is an especially good time to see a variety of birds in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks as they make their way south along the Pacific Flyway Migration that spans the west coast of the Americas?

These regular seasonal movements of bird populations, known as migrations, are in response to changing weather as well as availability of food and nesting locations. Most bird species travel south in the winter in search of more temperate climates.


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Agua Chinon Watershed Prepped for Restoration

8/5/2013

 
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Irvine Ranch Conservancy begins 30-acre restoration project targeting riparian habitat.

Agua Chinon is a 1,200-acre Canyon in the San Diego Creek Watershed, and is the popular starting point for a beautiful hike to The Sinks. While keen eyes may have noticed invasive species such as black mustard and tree tobacco among the native plants in the Agua Chinon basin, visitors will soon start to also see signs of a restoration project in progress. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy has begun an intensive, multi-year project to remove invasive weeds and restore this riparian habitat.


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    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. 

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

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  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
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