​Q&A with Native Seed Farm Program Coordinator Rachel Lambert, Part 2

Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm Program Coordinator, Rachel Lambert, is giving us an inside look at what species are growing on the Farm this year and other behind-the-scenes information. Make sure to catch the first part of this interview, which was published last week!
 
What flower species are planted on the Native Seed Farm this year?
This year we’re growing over 50 native species including American bird's-foot trefoil, Strigose lotus, Bicolored/mini lupine, Wishbone bush, Vinegarweed, Deerweed, Winecup clarkia, Purple owl's clover, White pincushion, Yellow pincushion, Cobweb thistle, Common cryptantha, Slender buckwheat, California poppy, California goldfields, Chick lupine, Arroyo lupine, Parry's phacelia,
California plantain, Coastal tidy tips, Smallhead clover, Littleseed Mhuly, Coastal sagebrush, California buckwheat, White sage, Black sage, Coastal Prickly Pear Cactus, Palmer's goldenbush, Menzie's goldenbush, Ragweed, California mugwort, Woolypod milkweed, Narrow-leaf milkweed, California brome grass, Common sand aster, California croton, Sticky monkeyflower, Blue wildrye, California fuschia, Leafy daisy, Longstem buckwheat, Common sun rose, Cliff aster, California melic grass, Longleaf/Silverleaf lupine, Branching phacelia, California bee plant, Western blue-eyed grass, Goldenrod, Giant needle grass, Foothill needle grass, One-sided blue grass, Goldenstars, Orange fiddlenecks, and Schoolbells.
 
What flowers are currently in bloom?
Wishbone bush (Mirabilis laevis) which has magenta blossoms that only open in the afternoon. California poppies (Eschscholzia californic) are at full steam and Arroyo lupines (Lupinus succulentus) just started! California goldfields (Lasthenia gracilis) are little tiny yellow flowers, like daisies but smaller than a penny, and Orange fiddlenecks (Amsinckia intermedia) will start to bloom soon!

​Q&A with Native Seed Farm Program Coordinator Rachel Lambert, Part 1
 
The first day of spring is just around the corner and Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm is starting to show signs of color! Every year the Farm grows more than 50 native species that will be harvested for seed and used to help restore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm Program Coordinator, Rachel Lambert, is giving us an inside look at what species are growing on the Farm this year and other behind-the-scenes information. Check back next week for Part 2 of this interview.
 
What is the process of deciding which species will be planted each year?
It's a long and thoughtful conversation back and forth between the restoration site managers and the Farm manager--we call it making a "plant palette." Like a color palette in home decor, these are the array of species that we will be painting the hillside with! But it's not about looks, it's about function.

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.

​One of the rarest species on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks today is a hardy-looking cypress tree: Tecate cypress. Tecate cones are serotinous, meaning they release seeds in response to a specific environmental trigger, rather than at the point of seed maturation. Historically, this trigger has been low-intensity fires, but as fires have grown in frequency and intensity during the last 50 years, the health and propagation of Tecate cypress is increasingly under threat.

The natural land in Orange County has been home to humans for thousands of years. You might have wondered from time to time how people survived – what they ate, where they sheltered, how they dealt with heat and drought. Indigenous groups like the Tongva lived in the area for many years before Spanish explorers colonized the area. These groups moved with the seasons and subsisted on the lands, using tried-and-tested techniques to prepare food you might not have known was edible. 

Hesperoyucca whipplei, or Chaparral yucca, is an unmissable sight on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. When flowering, it looks something like a giant Dr. Seuss character, with shaggy cascades of white, yellow-green or purple hair springing more than mid-way up its stalk. You might know Chaparral yucca by any of its common names, such as Spanish bayonet, Quixote yucca, or Our Lord’s candle. Yucca plants typically live a few years before they flower and die, but the flowering growth can happen in a short time span: the flower part of the plant can grow as tall as 15 feet in a matter of weeks.

Within the bounds of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks lives an exceedingly rare plant called Nolina cismontana. This plant, commonly known as chaparral beargrass, is so rare that it is only known to grow within four counties in Southern California. There are thought to be no more than 20,000 chaparral beargrass specimens in the world!

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is dedicated to offering an array of programs and activities that enable the local community to experience the diverse species that can be found throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. One of those programs being the launch of a citizen science event, BioBlitz. The Conservancy proudly hosted this inaugural family-friendly  event on Sunday, April 28, 2019 near the Library of Canyons, located in Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park.
 
A BioBlitz focuses on observing and identifying various species in a specific area over a short period of time to provide a “snapshot” of species diversity. This citizen science event also develops baseline data for the Conservancy and local community that can be used to observe change over time.

What do food, wildflowers, and modern medicine have in common? They all rely, to varying degrees, on pollinators for their success. Pollinators are an essential part of the ecosystems in Orange County. In addition to pollinating locally grown crops like avocados, oranges and strawberries, they are necessary for the reproduction of almost all the wildflowers that are on display this Spring on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Pollinators are estimated to be responsible for at least a third of human food production and are crucial to the survival of flowering plants all over the world.
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Mary Nolan, a volunteer with Irvine Ranch Conservancy since 2015, leads programs at the Conservancy’s one-of-a-kind Native Seed Farm to teach the public more about pollination. Mary explains that the work of pollination is shared by bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, bats, birds and even the wind! Mary says pollination occurs when its practitioners “visit flowers to drink nectar or feed off of pollen and transport pollen grains as they move from spot to spot.” This ensures proliferation of the species. While pollination is often a byproduct of an animal’s natural feeding behavior on a flower, it is an incredibly important process that affects the entire food chain.

This winter’s rainfall is bringing some beautiful benefits to Orange County: a budding and colorful show of wildflowers. Joining the sea of red, white, purple and green are the vibrant yellow flowers of Encelia californica. This species is commonly called bush sunflower for its resemblance to a small sunflower; it also looks a bit like a yellow daisy. When flowering, bush sunflowers bring a cheery yellow hue to the landscape and are irresistible to pollinators like bees and butterflies. 

​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. 

Of all the native plants on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, Eriogonum fasciculatum is one of the most beguiling. Commonly known as California buckwheat, this shrub is native to the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico and is likely a familiar sight if you’ve spent time on the Landmarks or at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm. This type of buckwheat is recognizable for its densely-clustered white and pink flowers, which grow to an arresting rust-red as they dry and mature. Red clusters denote the perfect time to harvest buckwheat, which volunteers can do at the Native Seed Farm in the fall. The seeds grown at the farm are used to repopulate restoration areas with native plants.

California buckwheat isn’t just pretty: it’s edible! California buckwheat differs from Fagopyrum esculentum, the type of buckwheat most of us are familiar with: a pseudograin used for making porridge, noodles, and crepes. While California buckwheat is not a part of modern human diets, it is edible when prepared correctly and has been used by Native American tribes to make tea and bread. While humans today might find little use for the edible parts of buckwheat, insects can’t get enough of the stuff! It is a food source for some butterflies and is highly attractive to bees and other pollinators. More honey comes from pollinated buckwheat than any other native plant in California.

​As a food source, honey maker, native species, and eye-catching part of the coastal landscape, it’s easy to the see the beauty of California buckwheat. You can show this plant and its fellow natives some love by signing up for stewardship activities at the farm or on the land.

​Think of the trees in a child’s drawing: full, leafy green canopies over thick, sturdy trunks. The California sycamore is a living example of this classic representation. Sycamores, a common sight on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, grow in canyons and riparian habitats, and are sometimes employed for urban landscapes. The sycamore is recognizable for its mottled bark, which gives it the appearance of white and brown patches. Sycamore bark is not as elastic as the bark of other trees, which typically stretches to accommodate a tree’s growth; the rigidity of sycamore bark results in the bark sloughing off in patches. Sycamores can grow to well over 100 feet in height and develop long, leafy green branch spans. 

​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.  

Generally found in well-developed canyons with a consistent water supply, these evergreen Oak trees are the cornerstone of Oak woodland habitats found throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Their roots grow deep in order to tap into underground water sources, but their proximity to the coast allows them to take advantage of coastal fog as well. Their wide and dense canopy provides shade and habitat while their acorns provide a food source for many different animals that need healthy Oak woodland to survive. 
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However, a recent influx of Gold Spotted Oak Borers has put the health of these Oak woodlands in danger. The Gold Spotted Oak Borer is a kind of beetle whose larvae feed below the protective bark layer of the tree, damaging the vital tissues needed to transmit water and nutrients throughout the plant. Extensive work is being done throughout the Landmarks to prevent the spread of this pest and recover lands already impacted. For more information please visit: https://letsgooutsi.de/2xTzmTH.
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The health and protection of our Coast Live Oak population is essential to preserving the delicate balance of the many interconnected ecosystems that make up the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Discover the rare and celebrated natural resources of Orange County by registering for a program on the Landmarks this summer
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to biological treasures and unique landscapes that stretch from the mountains to the sea. Nearly 40,000 acres of preserved and protected lands comprise the Landmarks, and include expansive open spaces known as “biodiversity hotspots.” Outdoor enthusiasts of all ages can register for a program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks to connect with the great outdoors while enjoying some of nature’s rarest habitats. 

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to diverse natural communities and native species and welcome visitors to the lands daily. Recreational programs encourage outdoor activity and help the public build a relationship with the lands, and stewardship programs welcome volunteers to help restore the Landmarks for future generations to enjoy. Yet with human presence comes unavoidable impacts to the ​open spaces, whether recreating on the trails or restoring natural resources during stewardships.

Experience stewardship programs on the open spaces in celebration of National Plant A Flower Day

​Volunteers at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm plant native species and harvest their seeds in an effort to restore and enhance nearly 5,000 acres of native habitat throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. In honor of National Plant a Flower Day on March 12, visitors can join Conservancy staff and volunteers at the Native Seed Farm Wednesday and Saturday mornings this spring from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. to plant native species and collect seeds that will enrich restoration sites throughout the Landmarks.​

Ensure butterflies thrive on the Landmarks by participating in stewardship programs
 
As we approach March and new blooms start to sprout on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, visitors are more likely to spot one of nature’s most fascinating insects, the butterfly. Known for their metamorphosis, butterflies inspire awe and wonder among park visitors. By joining stewardship programs to help increase the native plant population, volunteers can do their part to ensure butterflies prosper on the Landmarks this spring.

Explore the Flora on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and discover rare and native species this Fall

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks stretch from the mountains to the sea, spanning Fremont Canyon to Crystal Cove State Park. Throughout the open spaces is an array of regional plant life, also known as flora. From the Tecate Cypress to majestic coast live oaks, the Landmarks are home to many rare and native species that provide food and shelter for the surrounding wildlife. Fall for flora on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this season by registering for a program on the open spaces, and discover one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots.”

The flora found on the Landmarks are an integral part of what makes the open spaces a biological wonder. In addition to native grasslands and live oak woodlands, the Landmarks house one of the largest populations of healthy coastal sage scrub. Sometimes called “soft chaparral” due to its soft, drought-deciduous leaves, this Mediterranean-type shrub is highly threatened in California and can be seen throughout the Landmarks. The Landmarks are also home to native wildflowers, including lupine, poppies, chocolate lilies, and prickly pear cactus.

Roll up your sleeves and help native plant life thrive by planting seedlings and weeding out invasive species.
 
Want to chip in during National Planting Day? Nature lovers can help care for Orange County’s opens spaces by joining a stewardship program on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Native plants are important to the natural habitat and provide food and shelter for other native species including mule deer, scrub jays, squirrels, bob cats, and a variety of insects among many others. Celebrate National Planting Day this Saturday and throughout the month by registering for a stewardship program on the Landmarks!
 
The first Saturday after Labor Day each September is dedicated to National Planting Day, which celebrates the critical importance of native plants and trees. This national call to action is designed to mobilize outdoor enthusiasts across the country and enhance biodiversity by rebuilding ecosystems and planting native species. There are several opportunities to volunteer on the Landmarks through stewardship programs, which welcome the community to enjoy fresh air while giving back to the lands. 

​Find out what seasonal plants and wildlife are on the lands and register for a hike on the open spaces today!
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are filled with native plant and wildlife year-round, and each season welcomes new flora and fauna on the open spaces. Flora is comprised of plants that grow in a specific region, and fauna relates to animals that flourish in a particular region. While popular opinion dictates that Southern California does not experience seasons, a closer look on the lands reveals different types of plants and wildlife appearing seasonally on the Landmarks. Nature lovers have an opportunity to discover something new when they visit the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, no matter what time of year!

​Discover what species on the Landmarks are endangered or listed as a species of concern, and learn what plants and animals are making a comeback on the open spaces.
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to diverse habitats that include coastal sage scrub, chaparral, valley grassland, oak woodland and riparian forest communities, and within those communities are many species of rare plants and wildlife.  With National Endangered Species Day approaching on May 19, celebrating rare species on the Landmarks is simple with a trip into the great outdoors.
 
While many of the animals on the Landmarks can be elusive and avoid human contact, sightings have been reported over the years during free activities. Discover what plants and animals are endangered or species of concern, and register for a free program to celebrate all the plants and wildlife found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

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.