Category: City Of Newport Beach

Thankful for Our Partners

11/21/2019

Our partners make it possible to enjoy a variety of activities on the land

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is thankful for its landowning partners: OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach

Like many of you, we at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy have much to be thankful for this holiday season, especially our partners. Without OC Parks, the City of Irvine, and the City of Newport Beach, we wouldn’t be able to go outside with you and enjoy the natural wonders of our local wildlands. We are so thankful that their partnerships allows us to do the important work of restoring and protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and we are thankful for the community (that means you!) that we have all created together in that pursuit.

Together with OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, the Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been able to:

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Celebrates Its Volunteers and Partners

5/30/2019

IRC's 12th Annual Volunteer & Partner Celebration

On Friday, May 17, Irvine Ranch Conservancy honored its volunteers and community partners at the 12th Annual Volunteer and Partner Celebration in beautiful Limestone Canyon. The celebration is an opportunity for Conservancy volunteers and partners to come together to celebrate the land and their shared goal of stewardship on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Thanks to the stewardship efforts of Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers, nature lovers of all ages are able to continue to enjoy the natural beauty of the Landmarks. IRC volunteers made a significant impact by donating 41,500 hours of service in 2018. These hours come from a wide range of restoration projects, interpretive programs and volunteer-led activities.

Enjoy Winter in Orange County at Buck Gully Reserve in Newport Beach

12/13/2018

Buck Gully Reserve

Take a break from the holiday rush and watch winter flora come to life on the Landmarks

Buck Gully Reserve provides one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean in Newport Beach and gives nature enthusiasts the chance to explore the beautiful California holly during these winter months. From dawn to dusk, you can check out this hidden oasis of lush wilderness and running water or sign up for a docent-led tour to give you a more in-depth look into the reserve.

The City of Newport Beach, in partnership with Irvine Ranch Conservancy, manages the Reserve through, among other means, targeted invasive plant species identification, removal and habitat restoration. The Buck Gully Reserve includes 300 acres of lush wilderness, home to numerous species of plants and animals. Miles of trails running through protected open space habitats bring residents close to nature while they walk, run, hike and bike.

Trade TV for the Trails

4/21/2016

Embrace Screen-Free Week and explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

With all the technology people have right at their fingertips, it can be easy at times to forget what adventures await outdoors. National Screen-Free Week, May 2-8, is a program by the non-profit Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood encouraging people to put their smartphones away and embrace life beyond digital entertainment. Multiple locations within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are close to Orange County residents, so it’s the perfect place to go to grab a breath of fresh air and connect with the outdoors.

Share the Landmarks with Someone Special

2/5/2016

Valentine'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.

Not Too Late for New Year’s Resolutions

1/22/2016

Limestone Canyon photo courtesy of Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteer Alex Gurrola.

Whether it’s staying fit, giving back to community or spending time with the family, give your New Year’s resolution a second wind at the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Already slipping on your New Year’s resolutions? You may find the solution out on the trails.

A study by Franklin Covey showed that 35 percent of people will have already broken those commendable promises by the end of January. If you’re at risk for joining that group, let the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks give your New Year’s resolution a second wind. Year after year, the most popular resolutions include getting healthy, trying something new, giving back to the community, and spending more time with the family; whichever of these resonate with you most, there’s an activity outdoors that can help you still make 2016 your best year yet.

Partnership Saves Decades-Old Cactus Plants

1/1/2016

Organizations work together to relocate mature plants to habitat restoration sites.

Did you know that our local coast prickly pear cactus is both a slow grower and a critical component of wildlife habitat? These iconic plants with their large, flat pads and colorful blooms can take a decade to grow just a couple of feet high. Yet mature-growth cactus is the primary nesting site for the coastal cactus wren, a species of special conservation concern in Southern California.

So when residential development was set to begin in the hills near Irvine, a unique partnership among the developer, land manager and conservation groups resulted in more than 100 mature plants being saved and relocated to nature preserve areas within the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Not only did this project save plants that were estimated to be 30 years old, the relocated cactus enhanced habitat for the coastal cactus wren in habitat restoration areas.

Ring in Winter at Buck Gully Reserve

12/4/2015

Now is the time to see winter flora come to life in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

While the hint of colder weather might encourage some to bundle up inside, winter in Orange County is a perfect time to explore the outdoors. Our native plants that have been dormant throughout summer and fall come to life during winter months. So as people bring more green into their homes in the spirit of the holidays, it’s an excellent opportunity to experience green bursting to life out on the trails as well.

Lending a Hand to Habitat Restoration

10/30/2015

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.

Learn Something New in Nature This Weekend

10/9/2015

Photo courtesy of lupgv on Instagram.

Activities held Saturday and Sunday will teach skills you can use forever.

If you’ve visited the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, you know that there is always something new to discover. Learn a new way to look at the land this weekend, through hikes, walks, rides and workouts that will introduce you to skills such as wildlife tracking, cactus planting, mountain biking and even Zumba.

Two very exciting Saturday activities will help visitors learn about the easiest way to “see” wildlife on the trails: animal tracking. By learning which prints are which and “whose scat is that,” you can tell what type of critter was on the trail before you. In Round Canyon, the City of Irvine presents Beginner Animal Tracking, which covers the basics of spotting and identifying animal tracks over a short, 1.5-mile walk. OC Parks is presenting Watching Wildlife in Fremont Canyon, a program that also covers tracking, and will include information about raptors flying overhead near Irvine Lake. This program includes a 4 mile hike with some hills and spectacular views. Both programs are for visitors age 12 and up, and are led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy naturalists.

Volunteers Needed to ‘Adopt’ Local Canyons

9/4/2015

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.

Why Excess Water in Buck Gully is Bad News for Conservation

4/3/2015

Irrigation water flowing into Buck Gully is a waste of fresh water and erodes hillsides and trails.

When you see water flowing from someone’s landscaping and down the rain gutter, it’s a sign that too much water is being used. While certainly wasteful, this excess irrigation water may seem pretty harmless to the surrounding environment. You might even suspect that neighboring wildlands benefit when runoff flows into them. More water for thirsty plants and animals, right? However, the damage it does to nearby canyons becomes clear when you hit the trails.

Restoring Habitat Across the Landmarks

4/3/2015

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:

Experience Upper Newport Bay by Kayak

3/6/2015

Guided kayak tours of Upper Newport Bay are a great way to experience one of the largest estuaries in Southern California.

Gliding through the waters of Upper Newport Bay provides an up-close and tactile way to experience the beauty and serenity of this natural estuary. Volunteer docents lead groups through the bay, discussing the ecological, geological and geographical history of this important estuary while you paddle along the shallow shores taking in the sights, sounds and smells of this preserved natural aquatic setting.

Big Changes in Big Canyon

2/6/2015

Ongoing habitat restoration efforts in the Big Canyon area near Upper Newport Bay have brought many improvements, and there are big plans there for the future.

Since August of 2013, big things have been going on in Big Canyon, one of several large tributaries of the Upper Newport Bay. The City of Newport Beach initiated a habitat restoration project led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy, which has so far resulted in enhanced aesthetics of the canyon, a healthier balance of native flora and fauna, and an improved experience for those who visit.

The project has been a true community effort, with about 15 volunteer programs held in the past two years. The nature reserve area also benefits from nearby restoration projects led by the Newport Bay Conservancy and the Coastal Commission’s ROOTS program, supporting the overall health of greater Newport Bay.

Volunteers Needed for Restoration in Big Canyon

1/10/2014

0 Comments

Project will include trail improvements and replacing invasive plants with natives.

Winter is the perfect time to plant the native coastal sage scrub species found in local nature preserves, and this month the City of Newport Beach seeks volunteers to help with planting in Big Canyon. The volunteer effort is part of a trail improvement project led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy, on behalf of the City.

Over about 2.5 acres, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff will lead volunteers in planting small native plants and sowing native seeds. Volunteer work in Big Canyon will also include the removal of invasive species such as ice plant and pampas grass. These non-native plants compete for resources with native plants, which are critical to supporting healthy habitat for wildlife in Big Canyon and other preserve areas. The project will focus on trail-side improvements, and will include trail clearing and the installation of a temporary footbridge to allow for easier passage along the trail loop.

0 Comments

California's Fabled "Christmas Berry" is on Display in Buck Gully

12/6/2013

Shorter days and cooler temperatures are surefire signs that winter is coming. Luckily we have mild winters in Orange County, and it’s the perfect time of year to head outdoors to see the native plants that thrive in these conditions. An upcoming hike in the Buck Gully Reserve will bring you closer to winter flora such as Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) – also known as Christmas berry.

This large shrub can grow in average to over 15 feet tall, with white flowers in the spring and bright, red berries in winter. While not related to the true holly, the look of it is similar enough to be nicknamed California holly. In fact, Hollywood supposedly got its name from the abundance of toyon present in the area. Because of this resemblance, local residents once used toyon in holiday decorations. This led to over-picking the plant, so California outlawed harvesting wild toyon it in the 1920s.

Buck Gully Gets Water Wise

9/5/2013

Habitat restoration project now includes WaterWise Native Plant Demonstration.

It may seem like a paradox, but the two biggest threats to the Buck Gully Reserve are fire and water. Non-native, fire-prone ornamental plants and runoff water from nearby homes are found throughout the preserve, but luckily, one project seeks to lessen the impact of both threats.

The City of Newport Beach has partnered with Irvine Ranch Conservancy for a WaterWise Native Plant Demonstration project, seeking to transform one acre of invasive ice plant with a plant assortment that is native to the area, fire-resistant and drought tolerant. While the ice plant has some of these qualities, there are other aspects of the plant that make it a nuisance to the health of Buck Gully. The shallow root system does not control erosion along the steep slopes, and the thatch that develops under large fields of the plant is extremely flammable.

Social Trails Become Sustainable Trails in Upper Buck Gully

6/29/2012

Many Newport Beach residents have enjoyed the trails in Upper Buck Gully, but now the trails are a lot more user-friendly – and habitat-friendly. A recent trail renovation project made possible by the City of Newport Beach, State of California and Irvine Ranch Conservancy included the dramatic placement of four bridges by helicopter, as well as other improvements along the three-mile gully.

Four aluminum bridges, ranging in length from 35 to 50 feet, were installed in April and anchored in place. The bridges span areas that were previously traversed in ways that weren’t optimum for the traveler, or for the ecosystem. Conservationists and planners call trails like the ones forged in Buck Gully “social trails.” These trails are created by the trail users, and can create opportunities for weed invasion and erosion. Since the trails are not created by public landowners, social trails in some areas can even lead into private property, causing the user to trespass unknowingly.

Improved Buck Gully Reserve Trails Now Open

6/1/2012

Reconstructed trails are better for visitors and for the environment.

Newport Beach Mayor Nancy Gardner was joined by residents and partners to dedicate more than three miles of renovated trails in the Buck Gully Reserve. A recent trail renovation project made possible by the City of Newport Beach, State of California and Irvine Ranch Conservancy included the dramatic placement of four bridges by helicopter, as well as other improvements in the 300-acre gully.

Four aluminum bridges, ranging in length from 35 to 50 feet, were installed in April and anchored in place. The bridges span areas that were previously traversed in ways that weren’t optimum for the traveler, or for the ecosystem. Conservationists and planners call trails like the ones forged in Buck Gully “social trails.” These trails are created by the trail users, and can create opportunities for weed invasion and erosion. Since the trails are not created by public landowners, social trails in some areas can even lead into private property, causing the user to trespass unknowingly.

Helicopter Places Bridges In Buck Gully Preserve

4/27/2012

Bridges are part of trail improvements and restoration in Upper Buck Gully.

Today the City of Newport Beach took an exciting step closer to completing renovation and restoration activities in the Buck Gully Preserve. After months of work restoring and modifying trails through Upper Buck Gully, four bridges were lifted by helicopter over the canyon and set in place along a new trail. The carefully orchestrated helicopter operation was organized by Irvine Ranch Conservancy, working closely with City staff and Federal Aviation Administration officials.

The bridges were fabricated in Florida and transported by semi-truck cross-country and weigh more than 3,000 pounds. The bridges are up to 50 feet in length and were lifted out of Canyon Watch Park on San Joaquin Hills Road. Helicopter pilot Glenn Smith of Atlas Airlift Helicopter Company lifted the bridges one by one and set them in place with the help of Atlas and Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers. The Conservancy crew also worked with Newport Beach Police Department officers along San Joaquin Hills Road to secure the area around Canyon Watch Park, keeping pedestrians and motorists out of the helicopter’s flight path. The close coordination between all organizations resulted in an efficient and safe operation that lasted just 30 minutes.