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Plant Profile: Toyon

11/30/2022

Photo courtesy of Keir Morse.

When people think of California, the first image that often comes to mind is one of a glamorous old Hollywood filled with movie stars and a booming film industry. The image of vast open lands may not be the first thing people picture when thinking of California, but what if those two things are actually connected after all?

Legend has it, the name “Hollywood” stems from a plant found in California, specifically a shrub known as the toyon. This perennial shrub, native to the western part of California, is also known as the Christmas berry or California Holly for the bright red berries it produces, especially during the fall and winter. This nickname of California Holly is what allegedly sparked the idea for the name “Hollywood.”

Giving Thanks For IRC Volunteers and Open Spaces

11/22/2022

IRC Volunteer Manager, Erica Korzep with IRC Volunteers at the 2022 Volunteer and Partner Celebration.

With Thanksgiving having flown by, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities and forget what the holiday season is actually about. A delicious meal shared with loved ones and Black Friday steals are important to enjoy, but it’s also the time of year to give thanks for the things we take for granted. This year, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is showing gratitude for the open spaces throughout Orange County and for the wonderful partners and volunteers that keep them beautiful for us.

Take your gratitude outside this year and appreciate the wonders throughout Orange County. The Landmarks offer a variety of stunning destinations that are open to the public daily, as well as Wilderness Access Days and other programs that grant access to additional parts of the land. IRC is not only grateful to work with such amazing parts of the outdoors, but also for its partners. Through partnerships with OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, we are able to work together and bring Orange County a number of free activities for all skill levels, restore and protect the lands, support research and train groups of volunteers.

Plant Profile: Common Fiddleneck

11/16/2022

The open spaces of the Landmarks are filled with a variety of wildlife and plant species. Some plants are easily recognizable, like the California Poppy, and some you may have never seen, such as the one featured in the above video.

The common fiddleneck can be spotted on the trails and identified by its slender bristled stem that coils at the top, resembling the head and neck of a violin or fiddle, giving the plant its name. Part of the “forget-me-not” family, the bright yellow-orange flowers can grow up to four feet tall.

Let’s Go Outside – Tell Us What YOU Want to See!

11/9/2022

Hikers exploring the outdoors in Orange County.

Whether you’re looking for information about specific trails or seeking outdoor activities to join, the Let’s Go Outside (LGO) website has everything you need to explore the great outdoors. Let’s Go Outside can be the ultimate resource for all things pertaining to Orange County's open space. The site contains not only history about the land, but also offers volunteer opportunities, programs and an index of trails, parks and reserves that are accessible throughout Orange County.

Just like our native wildlands often require being cleared of invasive species to make way for new growth–a similar makeover for the LGO website is about to be underway. The site offers wonderful properties already, but it’s time to create a more elevated experience for all LGO users. With a new look and new features coming soon, we’d love to get some feedback from the outdoor enthusiasts using LGO on a regular basis. That’s right–we want to hear from YOU!

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Leland Sterbling - Program Coordinator

11/3/2022

Leland Sterbling, IRC Program Coordinator.

For those seeking new ways to opt outside and connect with nature, Wilderness Access Days provide the perfect opportunity to discover the wonders of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Wilderness Access Days give the community a chance to explore parts of the open spaces of the Natural Landmarks in a self-guided manner and with extended access. WAD’s are open to all hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians of all levels.

If you plan on participating in an upcoming Wilderness Access Day, you’ll likely bump into the friendly face of Leland Sterbling. As an Irvine Ranch Conservancy Program Coordinator, Leland is responsible for coordinating and implementing public access programs. He also works closely with IRC volunteers to provide access to wilderness areas for public recreation, including those same areas and programs that make Wilderness Access Days possible.

Wildlife Spotlight: Tarantulas

10/26/2022

Tarantula on the Landmarks.

With the fall season upon us and Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to talk about a creepy, crawly critter that might be spotted on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With fangs, big, hairy bodies and eight, long legs, tarantulas often get thrown into the category of things you hope to never bump into while exploring the outdoors.

Though tarantulas are often seen as dangerous, these spiders are actually harmless to humans aside from a slightly painful bite. Venom from a tarantula’s bite is inflammatory but has less of an effect than a bee’s sting. Their bite may not be lethal, but it’s still best to admire these critters from a safe distance and not aggravate them.

Wildlife Spotlight: Canyon Bat

10/20/2022

The Canyon Bat. Photo by J. Scott Altenbach.

Fall is in full swing in Orange County, bringing cooler weather, crisp air and early sunsets to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the sun setting earlier, you may notice more sightings of nocturnal animals roaming the Landmarks. Species of animals like bats often get a bad reputation thanks to spooky tall tales, but these flying mammals play a critical role in the local ecosystem.

The Canyon Bat is one of the many bat species that can be found on the Landmarks, as they establish their homes in deserts, woodland, and shrubland habitats. Canyon Bats are not known to migrate far distances and often stay in the same area throughout the year, roosting in burrows, among boulders or cracks and crevices of rocks. This bat species is identified by their dark face, ears and wings, with light-colored fur that can range from a pale yellow to orange-yellow and gray-brown.

Invasive Plant Profile: Black Mustard

10/13/2022

Black Mustard (Brassica nigra). Photo courtesy of Keir Morse.

A variety of lush greenery and brightly colored flowers can be found while hiking through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but not all of the blooms we see are native to the land. Brassica nigra, or the black mustard, is an invasive plant that can reach up to six feet tall in a single growing season. Its bright yellow, four-petaled flowers bloom from April to July.

This winter annual plant is native to tropical regions of North Africa, temperate regions of Europe, and parts of Asia. In California, this invasive weed is common in coastal areas at lower elevations. In disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and grasslands this plant forms single-species stands.

Activities Resume at the Native Seed Farm Starting October 14

10/6/2022

Volunteers at IRC's Native Seed Farm.

Dust off your gardening gear because activities at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm will return on October 14! After the area was impacted by the 2020 Silverado Fire, the IRC team halted public activities in order to repair the Farm’s damaged irrigation system and replant perennial native plants used for seed harvesting.

Beginning October 14, nature enthusiasts can help support Orange County’s native wildlands by helping IRC staff behind the scenes at the one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm in Irvine. Depending on the needs of the Farm, participants will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of tasks such as harvesting seeds from beautiful native plants, tending to younger seedlings in the nursery, or working in the native plant demonstration garden – a new feature on the Farm. The demonstration garden will educate visitors about native plants found in Orange County, as well as how these plants can be used in a variety of ways.

Limestone Canyon’s Shoestring Trail Reopens Ahead of Wilderness Access Day

9/29/2022

A view of Shoestring Road and the spadefoot toad habitat restoration site from West Loma Ridge.

OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve is a lush canyon full of oak woodlands, streamside habitats, and a rich diversity of native plants and animals, making it an exciting place for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians to explore. Since the 2020 Silverado and Bond Fires, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been working to restore Limestone Canyon’s trails and infrastructure, while also making some improvements along the way.

Recently, IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team and OC Parks maintenance staff collaborated to help restore the Shoestring Trail, which will be open ahead of this Saturday's Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day. The trail created in 2010, makes a loop between Shoestring Road, West Loma Ridge, Hicks Haul Road, and the Augustine Staging Area, and is considered difficult due to the steep nature of the terrain. During the Bond Fire, the Shoestring Trail bridge was burned and needed replacing to make the trail safe once again. The IRC team took the opportunity to not only replace the bridge crossing, but to make other enhancements as well.

Enjoy Orange County’s Native Wildlands this National Public Lands Day

9/22/2022

OC Parks' Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

Held annually on the fourth Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day is the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort, celebrating the connection between people and green space in their community. Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day was created to inspire environmental stewardship and encourage the use of open space for education, recreation, and health benefits.

This weekend, Irvine Ranch Conservancy encourages nature lovers to spend time outdoors and give back to Orange County’s native wildlands. Whether you sign up for an upcoming stewardship event, enjoy the health benefits of exploring the seven-day access trails, or plant native species in your own garden, there are a variety of ways to show you care.

Invasive Plant Profile: Artichoke Thistle

9/15/2022

Artichoke Thistle, photo by Ron Vanderhoff.

The artichoke thistle is an invasive perennial herb with bright purple flowerheads and spiny leaves growing at the base. This invasive species is typically found in grassland, chaparral, coastal scrub, and riparian areas, and blooms between April and July. The plant can reach up to five feet in diameter, usually producing one to several flower stalks.

Artichoke thistle seeds can be spread through a variety of different ways, including strong winds, birds feeding and knocking seeds to the ground, water running down slopes, and attaching to mammals as they make their way through native wildlands. The artichoke thistle’s density and deep taproot outcompetes native plant species for light, water, and nutrients, threatening the health of natural habitats.

Local Pollinators Help Ecosystems Across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

9/8/2022

A bee pollinating buckwheat plants in Limestone Canyon.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are considered to be one of the world’s biodiversity “hotspots” meaning the natural wildlands in this area have large concentrations of different species. In fact, the landscape is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals that coexist, some rare and only found in southern California. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners work on a variety of restoration projects throughout the Landmarks to help native wildlands thrive, but they couldn’t do it without the help of local pollinators.

According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, plants serve as the foundations of our ecosystems, and over 80% of flowering plants require pollination services. When you hear the word pollinator, bees might be the first thing that come to mind, but there are a variety of different pollinators that help trees, wildflowers and locally grown crops reproduce and flourish. In addition to bees, other insects like butterflies, flies, moths, beetles, and wasps can serve as pollinators. Even birds, bats, small mammals, and lizards can act as pollinators.

Tips for Exploring the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this Labor Day Weekend

9/1/2022

Hikers in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.

With high temperatures set to hit Orange County, there are still opportunities to safely explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during Labor Day weekend. Coastal 7-day access trails and free activities on the Landmarks provide a variety of opportunities for outdoor adventures even when it's hot outside.

Head towards the beach or take short morning and evening hikes on 7-day access trails in Newport Beach, Irvine and Laguna. Hikers looking to explore the Orange County coastal region can also explore trails in the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve. The ideal escape from the summer sun, Buck Gully Reserve is a natural coastal canyon with lush vegetation and trails that provide beautiful views of the ocean, as well as a natural stream that follows part of the Buck Gully trail.

Wildlife Spotlight: Coast Horned Lizard

8/24/2022

Coast Horned Lizard.

The coast horned lizard, also known as the Blainville's horned lizard, is a flat-bodied lizard with a wide oval shape, pointed scales on the upper body and tail, and horns or spines on its head. This lizard can grow up to 4.5 inches in length and is historically found along the pacific coast from Baja California to central California.

Its earth-tone colors consist of reddish brown, yellow and gray, as well as dark spots and a cream-colored belly, making the lizard a master of camouflage. Female horned lizards are often larger than males and can lay about 6-21 eggs, potentially laying two clutches of eggs in a year.

Invasive Plant Profile: Yellow star-thistle

8/17/2022

The yellow star-thistle is a serious emerging invasive species with spiny, yellow flowers and leaves extending down the stem that give a winged appearance. Typically found in degraded grasslands, rangelands and near roadways, the species has been linked to portions of land that were historically used for grazing.

With plants growing up to six feet tall, the yellow star-thistle propagates rapidly and reproduces prolifically. One large plant can produce tens of thousands of seeds annually, causing issues like crowding out native plant species, decreasing biodiversity, and creating a less resilient natural community that can lead to more vulnerable habitats, which can be threatened by wildfire and climate change. Yellow star-thistle plants have deep taproots that can significantly deplete soil moisture reserves, taking vital resources from native plant species.

Plant Profile: Prickly Pear Cactus

8/11/2022

The prickly pear cactus is native to southern California and Baja California, where it is commonly found growing in coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. These large plants grow in sprawling patches of thick jointed segments known as pads. A prickly pear cactus plant can reach up to three feet tall sprouting an array of yellow, orange or pink blooms with reddish purple fruit that grow on top of the cactus. The cactus fruit is edible and was often used by Native Americans and Spanish Americans as a food source, as well as to help bind wounds.

In 2009, after the 2007 Santiago Fire, Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Habitat Restoration and Enhancement team planted 14,000 cactus pads and 90 potted cactus in an effort to restore damaged habitat. After about 10 years, the IRC team found that cacti planted as pads were almost a meter high at sites with lower weeds and the plants were also more successful on steeper, south facing slopes.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Helps Enhance Coal Canyon Wildlife Crossing to Improve Connectivity of Urban Wildlands

8/4/2022

Bobcat traveling through the Coal Canyon Wildlife Crossing.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s mission to restore, protect, and enhance the ecological health of urban wildlands in Orange County often requires collaboration in order to achieve the long-term protection of native habitats. Over the last five years, Irvine Ranch Conservancy in collaboration with Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), CalTrans, California State Parks, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have been helping to improve wildlife connectivity in Orange County’s urban wildlands.

Through the enhancement of a decommissioned off-ramp in Coal Canyon under the 91 freeway (SR-91), IRC and its partners put a five-year project in place to help improve connectivity between the Santa Ana Mountains, Irvine Ranch Open Space, and Chino Hills State Park, providing a safe passage point for wildlife to cross the freeway. The Coal Canyon wildlife crossing is a former freeway exit on SR-91 that was decommissioned for public use in 2002 and was deemed as a potential pathway for wildlife to safely travel across the freeway.

Explore the Outdoors with Mountain Bike Activities on the Landmarks

7/28/2022

Biker at Limestone Canyon Wilderness Access Day

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are full of beautiful places and amazing views, making our native wildlands a truly unique place to explore. Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partners, OC Parks, the City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach, create a variety of opportunities for nature lovers to get out and explore the Landmarks with free activities. In fact, one of the most exciting ways to explore the Landmarks is on two wheels!

Each month, mountain biking activities for all experience levels are offered on the Landmarks. Bikers can explore the versatile trails and scenery during guided activities, self-guided Wilderness Access Days, seven-day access trails, or hone their skills with technical clinics offered in the City of Irvine.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Tests AI-Driven Technology for Wildfire Prevention

7/20/2022

Ryan Honary at the Native Seed Farm with Sunny Saroa, IRC Plant Material Development Project Manager.

As wildfires continue to threaten Orange County’s native wildlands, Irvine Ranch Conservancy actively looks for ways to increase wildfire prevention efforts throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

In early 2022, IRC teamed up with local teenager Ryan Honary to evaluate and test his SensoRy AI wildfire sensor network. The AI-driven technology created by Ryan utilizes remote sensors that can help identify initial sparks of a fire and potentially predict the spread patterns. The sensors create a wireless mesh network that can be deployed on the land to communicate with scientists and emergency personnel about a fire ignition source. The technology is currently being tested at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm, which was damaged in the 2020 Silverado Fire.

New State Grant to Fund Regional Coordination on Fire Prevention in Orange County

7/13/2022

A view of the Jim Fire from Limestone Canyon in March 2022.

Over the last 20 years, frequent large wildfires driven by Santa Ana winds have become a nearly constant threat in Orange County. In the last two years alone, nearly 30,000 acres have burned, causing significant damage to both property and the health of native wildlands. To help combat catastrophic wildfires in Orange County, Irvine Ranch Conservancy is launching work funded by a three-year grant from the California Department of Conservation under the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity Program (RFFC).

The $2.2 million grant will allow IRC to work with partners to develop and expand collaborative wildfire prevention projects throughout Orange County. IRC currently facilitates the County of Orange Area Safety Task Force (COAST), which works to prevent fires and keep communities safe. Through COAST, IRC will focus on preventing ignitions during strong Santa Ana winds and develop projects and programs to make communities more resilient to wildfire through hardening structures and improving maintenance of strategic fuel modification zones.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Kim Casey - Manager, Volunteer Programs

7/7/2022

Kim Casey: Volunteer Programs Manager at IRC

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and its partner OC Parks take pride in protecting, restoring and enhancing native wildlands throughout Orange County. OC Parks encompasses 60,000 acres of park lands across the county including some of which make up the 40,000 acres that are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC and OC Parks often rely on volunteers to help effectively steward our region’s natural resources and native wildlands to help them thrive for generations to come.

IRC staff member Kim Casey plays a large role when it comes to volunteer programs that benefit Orange County parks and open spaces. As the Manager of Volunteer Programs, Kim oversees the volunteer administration portion of IRC’s contract with OC Parks. This includes the development and implementation of the OC Parks Volunteer Program where IRC oversees roughly 800 volunteers throughout 28 different facilities across the county (including regional parks, wilderness parks, historic parks, beaches, and open space preserves). Kim works with OC Parks staff to onboard and train volunteers, as well as develop training and educational opportunities to support the volunteers in their diverse roles and support park staff with any volunteer management and on-site needs they may have.

Help Keep Native Wildlands and Your Community Safe this 4th of July

6/29/2022

A Fire Watch volunteer educates hikers on wildfire danger.

Independence Day is a time to gather with loved ones and enjoy the warm summer weather, along with holiday festivities like BBQ’s, outdoor activities and dazzling fireworks shows. While celebrating this holiday weekend, we encourage you to take proper safety precautions, helping to protect Orange County’s native wildlands and communities from potential wildfire ignitions.

With little rain this year and high temperatures drying out plants, it’s important to understand that even the smallest spark can start a devastating fire. Everyday items like charcoal barbeques and backyard fire pits should be watched carefully and never be left unattended. Be sure to remove any dry brush or low-hanging branches near the area and keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency. Always pay attention to any wind that might blow ashes out of your yard and do not light an open flame if gusts are too strong.

Why are the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Protected?

6/22/2022

OC Parks' Fremont Canyon.

Did you know that the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consists of nearly 40,000 acres of native wildlands? Within these local wildlands are a variety of rare plant and animal species that make up important natural habitats. In fact, habitats found on the Landmarks are so diverse that they have been labeled as one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots” — an area with large concentrations of different species.

With wildlands like this in our own backyard, it’s important to ensure they remain healthy and protected, so the biodiversity of the Landmarks can continue to thrive in their natural environment. In order to protect Orange County’s native wildlands, protection plans like the Natural Community Conservation Planning (NCCP) program take a broad-based ecosystem approach to planning for the protection and perpetuation of biological diversity. NCCP programs operate under a partnership with the State of California, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and local landowners and environmental agencies.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and UCI Masters Students Study Post-Fire Resiliency of Coastal Sage Scrub Communities

6/16/2022

Limestone Canyon post Silverado Fire.

On Tuesday, June 7, Irvine Ranch Conservancy hosted a live presentation where UCI MCRS
(Masters in Conservation and Restoration Science) Graduate Students shared their findings on
the effects of post-fire resiliency in coastal sage scrub communities.

Masters students Jessica Rath, Michelle dela Cruz, Rubeen Khunkhun and BryAnna Wertz
studied areas on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks that were damaged during the 2020
Silverado Fire, comparing restored versus unrestored coastal sage scrub habitats.

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