​Irvine Ranch Conservancy is regularly engaged in a wide variety of habitat restoration projects that help restore and maintain the beauty of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Through collaboration with land management partners such as OC Parks, City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach, IRC staff members can work to help preserve the Landmarks for generations to come. Irvine Ranch Conservancy Project Manager Collin Raff is one of the key players helping to restore parts of Orange County, focusing mainly on West Loma Ridge and Silverado Canyon.
 
Before joining the Conservancy, Collin graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Integrative Biology with an emphasis in ecology, evolution and organismal biology. While studying at Berkeley, he had the opportunity to work as a lab assistant at the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology. Collin has been an integral part of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy team for a little over four years. Prior to joining Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Collin worked for the Catalina Island Conservancy, where he provided public outreach to visitors of the island and assisted with many of their conservation projects. 

Since 2005, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has made it their mission to preserve and restore natural habitats found throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With their newest restoration project, Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers will plant 500 acorn seedlings at the Augustine Staging Area Nursery in Limestone Canyon that will be used to maintain vital oak woodland habitats.
 
The acorns collected by the Conservancy are sourced locally from oak trees throughout the area, giving them a greater chance of success due to acclimation to local climate and soil. After the acorns are collected, they will then be planted at the Augustine Nursery, where staff and volunteers will assist in tending and growing the acorns to seedlings until they are ready for planting. Restoration projects such as this allow Irvine Ranch Conservancy to expand its work of restoring habitats that support local wildlife and plant species.

​As February 2nd approaches, people across the U.S. await the season’s forecast from Punxsutawney Phil to see if we will experience six more weeks of winter or an early spring. Starting in the 1880s, Groundhog Day has become an annual winter tradition complete with a full ceremony in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
 
While those living in colder climates might pay more attention to the tradition, residents of Orange County don’t have to worry too much about Phil’s prediction. The brisk cool temperatures and sunny skies make for easy winters in Orange County and an ideal time to help restore and protect native habitats. The wet winter months across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks can bring much needed rainfall that leads to lush greenery throughout the open spaces.

​​Innovation in science, research and monitoring is central to Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s commitment to long-term land stewardship and restoration. The Conservancy collaborates with partners on the land to implement large-scale habitat restoration, remove invasive plant and animal species, monitor sensitive natural resources, and conduct scientific research to improve management over time.
 
As a Senior Project Manager for Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Robert Freese is an integral part of the short- and long-term planning of restoration efforts on the Landmarks. With a background in restoration planning, design, monitoring, and adaptive management, Robert oversees the restoration of upland and riparian habitats throughout the open space.

If you happened to be passing by Bommer Meadow in the month of May, you might have noticed something unexpected – a herd of goats! The goats were assisting with the beginning stages of a multi-year restoration project being conducted by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy in partnership with the City of Irvine in Bommer Meadow, which was historically part of a working cattle camp. Livestock grazing and the introduction of non-native plants and weeds degraded the natural habitat over time, reducing available food, water and shelter for native plants and wildlife. Invasive plants do not provide the resources necessary to support healthy native wildlife populations, and they also increase wildfire risk, so it is crucial to restore degraded areas with native vegetation to provide wildlife with a functioning habitat and to reduce wildfire.

​The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a variety of natural habitats and native plant species. These habitats can be disrupted by invasive plants and weeds that are harmful to the native flora of the lands. Restoring native habitat is an important goal of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, but before native plants can be re-introduced to a specific area, non-native plants must be removed.
 
Irvine Ranch Conservancy has partnered with the City of Irvine to implement a multi-year habitat restoration project in Bommer Canyon. The process will begin with a little help from nature’s mowers – goats! Unlike other habitat restoration methods, this experimental activity utilizes a controlled method of livestock grazing to remove non-native plants, weeds, and thatch that have degraded the natural habitat over time. Goats can access certain areas mowers can’t such as steep slopes or rocky areas and are being used as an experiment to see how effective they can be in other situations. With their seemingly endless appetites, goats graze down to the soil, which will allow Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff to plant native seeds and plants at the cleared site and restore the area to its native habitat. The end goal of the project is to return Bommer Canyon to a healthy, lush mix of native grasslands and coastal sage scrub – a rare habitat found only in Southern California.

OC Parks Weir Canyon Nature Preserve contains an abundance of rare habitats and wildlife, including one of the largest intact coast live oak woodlands in Orange County, making it one of the most ecologically important areas on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.  This area is admired year-round by hikers, bikers, and nature enthusiasts alike.  But this sanctuary is also under threat. 
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The Gold Spotted Oak Borer Beetle, or GSOB for short, is an invasive tree pest that has been documented within Weir Canyon.  Native to southeastern Arizona, it is thought that the beetle first traveled to southern California through infested firewood.  This tiny beetle disrupts and depletes the ability of trees to take up nutrients by laying its eggs on the bark of the trees. The larvae then burrow beneath the bark to feed, and eventually kill the tree.

​Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm helps wildflowers bloom across the Landmarks
 
Spring hasn’t sprung just yet, but signs of the coming season are already appearing across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the abundance of rain this year and Southern California sunshine, wildflowers are already beginning to bloom, bringing pops of color to Orange County. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers do their part in helping wildflowers flourish through restorative efforts on the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm.
 
The Native Seed Farm has two goals: give the local community a way to connect with the land and provide a reliable source of quality plant material for restoration projects. The 14-acre farm is a sustainable way for the Conservancy to help restore thousands of acres of native habitat throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Certified staff and volunteers are key to the operation of the Native Seed Farm, helping to grow and tend to a custom mix of native plants like wildflowers, then harvesting the seed for use on the Landmarks. 

UCI Center for Environmental Biology oak monitoring survey helps research and preserve natural oak woodlands in Orange County
 
Oaks are an important part of the California ecosystem and are considered to be one of the state’s major types of vegetation. To most people, it might just be another tree, but oaks are considered to be a foundation species, in the sense that their presence defines and supports an entire ecological community. Oak woodlands are their own important habitat, providing crucial shelter, foraging opportunities, and watershed protection, along with enhancing the aesthetic value of the California landscape. Whether we know it or not, oak woodlands are right in our backyard. Oak woodlands in Orange County consist almost entirely of Coast Live Oak, an evergreen tree that extends up and down the California coast.
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Over the years, these woodlands have been considered at-risk due largely to habitat conversion by humans, which has reduced the trees to 50% of their historical range or less. Other factors in the decline of oak woodlands in California are competition with non-native species, cattle grazing, drought, and new pathogens. One example of a new pathogen that has affected Coast Live Oaks in Orange County is the Goldspotted Oak Borer. This particular pest is native to Arizona and was first identified in California in 2004, but was not linked to extensive oak mortality until 2008. 

Restoration efforts on the Landmarks to create highly functional and resilient ecosystems
 
Nearly 40,000 acres of land preserved on the historic Irvine Ranch have been designated as a Natural Landmark.  This land contains important natural habitats, sensitive species, such as the California Gnatcatcher and Coastal Cactus Wren, and unusual geological formations. It is home to countless plants and animals as well as rocks and fossils, chronicling back nearly 80 million years.
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However, many natural areas in our modern world need management to keep them wild and beautiful. In southern California in particular, threats such as increased fire frequency, invasive species, overuse, and a large surrounding urban population have all impacted our Natural Landmarks. As a result, over 18,000 acres of land are considered highly degraded and in need of restoration.

A year after the Canyon Fire and Canyon Fire 2, restorative and preventative efforts move forward on the open spaces
 
The fall season is in full swing and with it comes a change in weather and winds. October marks the one-year anniversaries of the Canyon Fire and Canyon Fire 2, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff, partners, and the Orange County Fire Watch Program are working with OC Parks to continuously implement programming to help restore and protect the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Nearly 40,000 acres of open spaces are home to wildlife and various rare and native species, and the work of staff and volunteers is incredibly important during the Santa Ana wind season and year-round.
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The 2017 canyon fires affected Weir Canyon, Blind Canyon, parts of Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve and beyond, with assessment restoration efforts starting almost immediately after the fires were contained. All habitat types including coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland, oak woodlands, and riparian were affected by the fires, and most areas are showing signs of improvement and are expected to recover.

​Join a stewardship program on the Native Seed Farm and Native Plant Nursery
 
National Planting Day is quickly approaching! This nature-inspired holiday encourages the public to come together to help rebuild the community’s local ecosystem and enhance its biodiversity. To celebrate National Planting Day on Saturday, September 8th, nature lovers can join stewardship programs at the Native Seed Farm and Native Plant Nursery in Irvine. Volunteers will contribute to restoring Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks while connecting with their natural surroundings.  

Register for a stewardship activity to connect with the local lands and check out highlights from Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Volunteer & Partner Celebration  
 
World Environment Day on Tuesday, June 5 is quickly approaching! This day marks the perfect opportunity to discover the many ways nature lovers can help take care of the environment. Whether a first-time visitor or longtime volunteer on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, stewardship activities give outdoor enthusiasts a chance to connect with the land while benefiting the environment.  With the support of volunteers and partners, the Landmarks will continue to thrive on World Environment Day and beyond. 

Connect with the lands by joining a stewardship program on the open spaces
 
Earth Day is quickly approaching and 2018 is a special year on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. This upcoming Earth Day marks the 10th anniversary of nearly 40,000 acres of open spaces being designated as the first-ever California Natural Landmark. Nature lovers can find several opportunities to connect with the land by registering for a stewardship program in honor of Earth Day and the 10th anniversary of the state landmark designation during the month of April and throughout the year.

Be a helping hand in the fight against invasive weeds by registering for a program on the open spaces
 
As the weather warms and spring approaches, Orange County residents can look forward to spotting colorful wildflowers across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. However, not all blooms are welcome on the open spaces. Invasive non-native species prevent native plants and wildlife from thriving and decrease the biodiversity that makes the Landmarks so unique. It’s a critical time to remove invasive species that steal nutrients, space, and light from native plant life and threaten local protected wild lands. Nature lovers can join the fight against invasive species by registering for a stewardship program 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. 

​Register for a stewardship program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to get outside and give back to nature.
 
With the holiday season in full swing, shoppers continue to look for the perfect gift for their loved ones. During the season’s festivities, the company of family and friends can be the best gift, and nature enthusiasts can spend quality time in the great outdoors while lending a helping hand to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Give the gift of restoration this year and help preserve the Landmarks for future generations to enjoy by registering for a stewardship program.

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.

See the difference native plants can make at Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve.

The Buck Gully Reserve within the City of Newport Beach encompasses 300 acres of high quality coastal sage scrub and riparian habitat bounded by single-family residences on one side, and the Pelican Hill Golf Course on the other. Still, the expanse supports a highly diverse native plant population and is the perfect respite for the region’s wildlife.
 
But amidst the native willows and sycamores, Buck Gully’s northwestern zone has been the site of degraded habitat.  The need to create “fuel breaks” or a Hazard Reductions Zone between the nearby homes and the wildlands had left the region with a hillside covered with invasive ice plant. And by 2013, the plant meant to suppress wildfires had mostly died, becoming a potential fire hazard itself.

Enjoy the great outdoors and lend a hand by registering for the Irvine Regional Park Trail Restoration stewardship program.  

​Irvine Regional Park is nestled among groves of Oak and Sycamore trees, and offers visitors a wide variety of shaded areas, serene leisure activities, and is home to the OC Zoo. Rolling foothills surround the park and are home to a variety of wildlife, which greatly enhances the park’s beauty. To keep the park thriving and flourishing, monthly stewardship activities are held at Irvine Regional Park to keeps the trails and habitat healthy.
 
“As the weather gets warmer we encourage visitors to not only get outside and enjoy the Landmarks, but to consider registering for a stewardship program to connect with the land,” Irvine Ranch Conservancy Deputy Director, Dave Raetz said. “Irvine Regional Park is a highly attended park with a great amount of visitorship, and it’s really wonderful that this program offers nature lovers a chance to give back to the land.” 

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.

Celebrate Arbor Day by registering for a free program on the open spaces, and explore the trees of the Landmarks during the month of April and beyond.
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National Arbor Day is April 28, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by registering for a free program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With over 40,000 acres of protected open spaces, the Landmarks are home to many majestic species that are a vital part of Southern California’s Mediterranean climate. Some species provide shade while others rely on the warm climate to survive, and they’re all an important part of the local habitat. From the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully to OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon, there are a variety of trees to admire on the lands in honor of Arbor Day. 
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​Coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia) are among the most recognizable trees on the Landmarks, thanks to their distinctive, contorted branches that can stretch low and spread out in all directions. Mature coast live oaks can reach a height of up to 80 feet and can live for roughly 250 years if left to grow. Hikers can admire coast live oaks during the Thursday Morning Trek: Agua Chinon and The Sinks on Thursday, April 27, which begins in the City of Irvine and stretches into OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Paved Hicks Haul Road in Limestone Canyon also offers coast live oak sightings during weekly programs.

Volunteer for a stewardship program during winter months, a time when native habitat “greens up,” to help restore and protect the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.   
 
Orange County's rainy winter season is often a precursor to greenery on the local open spaces, and the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks welcomes the community to join stewardship programs during winter months to help restore and protect the native habitat. Winter is an ideal time for restoration projects, and volunteers are needed to plant native seedlings, water and care for native habitat, and remove invasive weeds. All stewardship activities help local wildlife thrive and ensure future generations can enjoy the natural communities on the open space forever

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

Whether you’re looking for a few hours of weeding or an outing to a remote restoration site, there are many opportunities to give back during National Volunteer Week.
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Sunday, April 10, kicks off National Volunteer Week, a celebration encouraging people to actively engage in their community and give back. Public support is vital to the continued long-term health of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and landowners including OC Parks, the City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach provide ample opportunities for the public to connect to the land through volunteer work.