Category: Dripping Springs

Hit the Trails and Connect with Nature During Restoration Activities on the Landmarks

2/2/2018

Volunteers are important to the health of the trails and surrounding habitat on the Landmarks.

Register for Trail Restoration programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and give back to the local lands

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks consist of nearly 40,000 acres of biological and geological diverse open spaces and are home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife. The Landmarks were designated as a Natural Landmark by both the State of California and the U.S. Department of the Interior after scientists identified the landscape as one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots,” or an area with large concentrations of different species. Volunteers are a vital part of keeping the trails and surrounding habitat healthy for plant life, wildlife, and the enjoyment of visitors for years to come.

Join the Stewards of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/26/2017

Give back to the land by volunteering for a stewardship opportunity!

Experience rewarding volunteer opportunities by registering for a stewardship program on the open spaces.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks stretch across more than 40,000 acres from Weir Canyon to south Irvine, and are filled with native plants and wildlife. Preserving the natural habitat on the Landmarks is a big job, and the community is invited to help care for the open spaces by joining a stewardship program. Volunteer independently or coordinate a group for a variety of stewardship activities during daily and long-term programs, and give back to nature by becoming an ambassador of the lands!

“Volunteering as a steward is a rewarding opportunity to spend time outdoors and build a relationship with the lands,” Matilde De Santiago-Barrows, Community Stewardship Coordinator, said. “The time people spend here makes an impact and helps preserve the open spaces.”

Join a Stewardship Program in Honor of Earth Day

4/13/2017

Volunteers pull invasive weeds at Quail Hill in the City of Irvine.

Connect with nature and give back to the environment by joining a stewardship program on the Irvine Ranch Landmarks.

Earth Day is quickly approaching and nature lovers can find many opportunities to give back to the environment on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. The Landmarks are a wonderful representation of the natural heritage of Orange County, and the community is invited to register for a free stewardship program in honor of Earth Day. Celebrate this national holiday throughout the month of April and beyond, and enjoy fresh air and breathtaking scenery while caring for the local lands.

Earth Day is a special occasion on the open spaces, and doubles as an anniversary. The Irvine Natural Landmarks were designated as a National Natural Landmark by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior in 2006, when protected land on the former Irvine Ranch was recognized for its rare biological and geological features. Then in 2008, nearly 40,000 acres were named the first California Natural Landmark on Earth Day. The inaugural title was earned under a new state program that recognized and encouraged the stewardship of extraordinary examples of natural resources, and the Landmarks continue to welcome the public to participate in stewardships.

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.

Volunteer for Native Plant Gardening and Great Views

6/6/2014

Learn about native plants while volunteering at the Native Seed Farm.

With the lack of rainfall this year, many habitat restoration project managers have had to regroup and re-strategize. One of those projects is the Dripping Springs Trail restoration project in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers made good progress at the beginning of the year, but planting season ended with many seedlings left for next year.

The Conservancy wants to make sure that the seedlings will still be viable for the next planting season, and they seek volunteer help with transplanting about 500 shrub seedlings. Moving the seedlings to larger containers will help foster growth and ensure the plants remain healthy. So far, about 520 plants have been transplanted by volunteers and Conservancy staff. The goal is to plant at least 500 more shrubs along the trail in order to fully support the restoration project.

Dripping Springs Trail Update

4/25/2014

Progress is being made despite a dry planting season.

When the Dripping Springs trail was closed for restoration last year, no one could have predicted the profound lack of rainfall for the area in 2013. Despite historic drought levels, many members of the community have rallied to make progress in transforming this former ranch road in Limestone Canyon into a single-track trail.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy and OC Parks staff had expected the trail to be restored and re-opened in mid-2014, but the lack of rain may affect that projection. The Conservancy field operations team will evaluate the progress this month, but staff are still working to keep the project moving forward.

Helping Mother Nature Along in the Landmarks

2/14/2014

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Volunteers needed to water native plant seedlings during epic drought conditions.

This winter has been one of the driest in California’s history. While native plants in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks have evolved to survive occasional droughts, recently planted seedlings in restoration project areas across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are vulnerable due to the lack of rain. OC Parks and the Irvine Ranch Conservancy are seeking volunteers to help, and an upcoming activity in Limestone Canyon will help reopen the Dripping Springs trail.

Dripping Springs trail is being converted from an old ranch road into a single-track trail. The spring itself is one of two year-round fresh water sources in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve that supports many plants and animals. “Providing a clear path for hiking as well as better cover for wildlife are the ultimate goals for the Dripping Springs trail,” said Irvine Ranch Conservancy Stewardship Coordinator Brittany Mendelsohn. “Since planting, we have spotted lots of deer and even a few bobcats, and there are always animal tracks on the trail.”

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Converting Ranch Roads to Sustainable Trails

4/19/2013

Trails to Dripping Springs in Limestone Canyon are temporarily closed for improvements.

In the heart of Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, an oasis of lush vegetation stands evergreen, in contrast to the surrounding arid landscape. Birds flit from leaf to leaf against a vine-covered rock face that seeps water, creating a pool below. This is Dripping Springs, and it is a haven for wildlife – one of the few fresh water sources available in the northern part of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Until this year, a double-track trail created from a former ranch road passed within a quarter-mile of this sensitive habitat. Now OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy are working to convert the former road to a single-track trail. A single-track trail would improve the health of the habitat for wildlife by decreasing the amount of physical disturbance and providing more cover close to the much-used water source.

Spring Brings a Bounty of Blooms

4/6/2012

The hills are painted with the colors of spring, and a variety of upcoming wildflower walks will make sure you won’t miss a single bloom. Spring brings native beauty to the Irvine Ranch, from the state flower, California poppy, to the whimsically-named bush monkey flower.

Whether it’s a wildflower walk or any other activity out on the landmarks, bring your camera and maybe a wildflower field guide in pursuit of the lupine, Parry’s phacelia, common fiddleneck, wishbone bush, blue-eyed grass, and chia in bloom now. The landmarks also have a large showing of yellow deerweed blooms and pink bush mallow flowers, as these are known as “fire followers,” which are more active in the years immediately following wildfires.