Category: Volunteers

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Volunteers Honored with Spirit of Volunteerism Awards

5/7/2020

Every April, local nonprofit OneOC honors hundreds of volunteers and organizations with the Spirit of Volunteerism Awards. With physical distancing orders in place, OneOC hosted a virtual event on April 30 that recognized over 300 honorees, 100+ organizations and over 35 sponsors.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy was proud to have seven of its volunteers nominated for the awards this year! Each nominee was selected based on their exemplary efforts in support of the Conservancy and the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. These volunteers have contributed countless hours to the land by leading public activities, participating in habitat restoration work and supporting IRC staff on special projects.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Volunteers Awarded for Service in Buck Gully

4/30/2020

Volunteers in Buck Gully

Since forming in 2005, Irvine Ranch Conservancy has relied on the help of its volunteers to protect and preserve the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. From habitat restoration to leading public activities, IRC volunteers play a crucial role in caring for the land and connecting people to these natural resources.

Every year, the California Parks and Recreation Society awards local residents for their outstanding efforts in volunteerism. We are proud to have three Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers nominated this year for their incredible efforts at Buck Gully in the City of Newport Beach.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Staff Spotlight: Brian Hughes, Interpretive & Training Manager

1/9/2020

Brian Hughes with a group of young adventurers

Here at Irvine Ranch Conservancy, we are dedicated to not only protecting the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, but connecting people to the land as well. Our IRC-Certified Volunteers play a crucial role in helping people make these connections and teaching local residents the importance of preserving the Landmarks.

When someone signs up to become a certified volunteer, they are taken under the guidance of Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Interpretive & Training Manager, Brian Hughes. Brian has been a part of the Irvine Ranch Conservancy team from the beginning. In June 2005, Brian was the first Field Naturalist hired by the Conservancy and has experienced the growth of the organization, as well as the volunteer program.

Orange County Fire Watch Recognized by Orange County Board of Supervisors

12/11/2019

OC Fire Watch manager and volunteers honored by OC Board of Supervisors

On Tuesday, December 10, Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett of the Orange County Board of Supervisors presented certificates of recognition to OC Fire Watch and exemplary Fire Watch volunteers. The Orange County Board of Supervisors recognized volunteers Rick Gaskins, Rocky Bruno, Joan Steiner and Ed Steiner for their dedication to Fire Watch activities and protecting the Orange County community from wildfire. These four volunteers have individually served over 300 hours of volunteer service to support their community during Red Flag Warning deployments.

“While these volunteers are not trained as firefighters, they provide an important component to prevent destructive wildfires,” said Chairwoman Bartlett. “OC Fire Watch volunteers have over 12,000 hours of volunteer service in support of their communities. I want to congratulate all of them for a job well done and thank you for your service to our communities.”

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.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Recognizes Volunteers During National Volunteer Week

4/10/2019

Volunteers go for a training hike. Credit: Volunteer Carlos Perez

IRC volunteers help inspire the community and keep the Landmarks beautiful

Irvine Ranch Conservancy takes pride in its mission of ensuring the protection of the historical landmarks that stretch from the mountains to the coast. With nearly 40,000 acres at hand, the success and maintenance of the Landmarks would not be possible without the generous support from the public.

In honor of National Volunteer Week from April 7-13, Irvine Ranch Conservancy would like to recognize the efforts of several exceptional volunteers who work diligently to create remarkable experiences and activities throughout the Landmarks.

Looking Back at 2018

1/3/2019

An oak seedling in Bee Flat Canyon

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.

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.

Celebrate International Volunteer Day December 5

11/28/2018

Castor bean removal in Agua Chinon

Join stewardship efforts on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks during December in honor of International Volunteer Day

Irvine Ranch Conservancy is celebrating the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and its stewardship programs during the month of December, in honor of International Volunteer Day – traditionally held on December 5. Nature lovers are invited to join the celebration by registering for stewardship programs that offer an opportunity to give back to the environment while connecting with the local lands.

This international day of volunteer recognition and action was founded by the United Nations, and the Conservancy encourages everyone to participate by volunteering during the month of December and beyond. The Landmarks span nearly 40,000 acres of open spaces, with many reoccurring stewardship opportunities that invite the community to become ambassadors of the lands. Getting involved as a volunteer is as easy as participating in a hike, volunteering on the Native Seed Farm, pulling an invasive weed, or helping out with trail maintenance.

Thankful for the Outdoors (and our Volunteers!)

11/15/2018

Show thanks by participating in activities that help buffer wildfires and promote natural habitat

Thanks in large part to our dedicated volunteers we are able to enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and retreat to its mountains, renew ourselves on its trails and learn from its geological formations, animals and wildlife. We are always grateful for our volunteers, but even more so as we think of all their efforts throughout the year that help in ways big and small to ensure our rich biodiversity is protected and nurtured for years to come. These efforts include removing invasive non-native plants and harvesting native wildflower seeds that grow into plants like California Buckwheat and Sagebrush that form the foundation for a healthy coastal sage scrub ecosystem.

Restoration Projects and Orange County Fire Watch Help Protect the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

10/17/2018

Fire Watch volunteers

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.

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.

Give Back to the Land

8/30/2018

Connect with the land through stewardship programs offered on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

From hiking and mountain biking to horseback riding and habitat restoration, the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offer visitors of all ages and interests the opportunity to connect with the wildlands in various ways. Nature lovers can discover the beauty of the Landmarks through outdoor volunteer activities and stewardship programs, offered regularly throughout the Landmarks. Stewardship programs allow the community to become an ambassador of the land, while helping restore natural habitat and replenishing native species on the open spaces.

Those looking to roll up their sleeves can join Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff during the Waterworks Trail Restoration: Fremont Canyon program on Tuesday, September 4 from 9 – 11 a.m. During this stewardship activity, volunteers will help maintain the land along the Waterworks Trail in OC Parks’ Fremont Canyon Nature Preserve. This valuable work includes the removal of invasive weeds which helps to restore habitat for local wildlife. Volunteers may even be treated to a peaceful 2-mile nature walk through the canyon, if time permits.

Become a Volunteer on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

7/19/2018

A volunteer leads a program in Fremont Canyon

Learn how you can turn your passion for nature into a rewarding position as a volunteer.

The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks stretch from the mountains to the sea and are cherished for their immense beauty, extraordinary geology, and remarkable diversity of flora and fauna. In 2017, more than 23,000 visitors enjoyed 2,500 public activities offered on the Landmarks, ranging from mountain bike and horseback activities to educational nature walks and birding excursions. Nearly every single one of these recreational activities was led by a trained volunteer.

Celebrate World Environment Day on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks

5/31/2018

Volunteers help remove invasive plant species

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.

What the Near-Record Rains Means for Wildfire Season

7/5/2017

More rain does not necessarily mean fewer fires on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

There’s more water in local reservoirs, streams, and vernal pools across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks than there has been in years, but that doesn’t mean the wildlands are out of the woods when it comes to potential fire danger. Thanks in part to the rain, nonnative grasses and weeds such as Sahara mustard have sprouted taller and denser than previous years. And as the weather heats up, that vegetation could quickly dry out and become fodder to fuel wildfires.

Here we ask Tony Pointer, Fire Watch Coordinator at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy, his views on the upcoming fire season:

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.”

Give Back to the Landmarks During National Volunteer Week

4/8/2016

Visitors can water young Tecate cypress trees at Fremont Canyon for National Volunteer Week.

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.

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.

Conservancy Celebrates 10 Years of Stewardship

11/13/2015

Irvine Ranch Conservancy invites visitors to a special Wilderness Access Day on Nov. 21 in Bommer Canyon to recognize its partners.

Irvine Ranch Conservancy, a pioneering non-profit managing more than 30,000 acres of open space parks in Orange County, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Over the last decade, the organization has partnered with public agencies such as OC Parks, City of Irvine and City of Newport Beach to connect people to globally-significant local wildlands.

“We started out with one trail and eight volunteers, and today we manage more than 150 miles of trails and support more than 800 volunteers who help provide nearly 2,000 public activities each year,” said Michael O’Connell, the Conservancy’s founding and current Executive Director. “With that capacity, our ability to offer opportunities for the community to connect to and help take care of these public natural resources has grown exponentially.”

How to Volunteer on the Landmarks

10/1/2015

Irvine Ranch Conservancy Volunteer Docent Peter Ridley leads a nature walk.

Whether it’s one day at a time, or volunteering every week, there are so many ways to give back.

Did you know that volunteers lead nearly every single recreation activity on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks? Specially-trained naturalists lead and support hikes, mountain bike rides, educational nature walks, horseback rides, birding excursions and even photography journeys. From the mountains to the sea, volunteers help connect people to the land in numerous ways.

There are many ways to volunteer without any specialized advance training. You can find a list of Volunteer Activities at LetsGoOutside.org/volunteer. Filtering the LetsGoOutside.org/activities page for “Stewardship” or “Trail Work” categories will also result in volunteer opportunities happening nearly every day of the week. The site lists short-term volunteer opportunities for the general public offered by groups such as OC Parks, City of Irvine, City of Newport Beach, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and Crystal Cove State Park. You can also find these types of public volunteer events with Laguna Canyon Foundation, Newport Bay Conservancy, and the California Coastal Commission by visiting their websites.

Benefits of Volunteering in the Landmarks

5/8/2015

Volunteering for stewardship and trail work activities not only helps the land, but benefits those who participate.

From the mountains to the sea, there are numerous places and ways to enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Many people visit for recreation or education programs, but many organizations offer volunteer opportunities to help people give back to local open space areas. Whether you want to spend an afternoon helping to plant acorns or volunteer regularly to help others enjoy the land, it’s easy – and rewarding – to volunteer.

Honoring 2015 Landmark Volunteers

5/1/2015

Irvine Ranch Conservancy honors recipients of the 2015 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy helps manage nearly 30,000 acres of open space in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – supported by a dedicated, active volunteer team of nearly 400 people. On Friday, April 24, the Conservancy and its partners honored the outstanding volunteers who made public enjoyment of this natural landscape possible over the last year. The awards ceremony included the recognition of 10 recipients of the 2015 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

Honoring 2014 Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Volunteers

5/23/2014

Irvine Ranch Conservancy selects recipients of the 2014 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy helps manage nearly 30,000 acres of open space in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – supported by a dedicated, active volunteer team of more than 350. On Friday, May 30, the Conservancy and its partners will honor the outstanding volunteers who made public enjoyment of this natural landscape possible over the last year. The awards ceremony will include recognition of 10 recipients of the 2014 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

Rewarding "Excellence in Volunteerism"

5/31/2013

Irvine Ranch Conservancy selects recipients of the 2013 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy helps manage nearly 30,000 acres of open space in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – supported by a dedicated, active volunteer team of more than 350. On Saturday, June 8, the Conservancy and its partners will honor the outstanding volunteers who made public enjoyment of this natural landscape possible over the last year. The awards ceremony will include recognition of 10 recipients of the 2013 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

The Conservancy selected the recipients based on their exemplary efforts in support of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, work that stood out even among their talented and committed peers. They contributed thousands of combined hours to the land leading public programs, participating in habitat restoration work, monitoring scientific research projects, and performing other jobs that support excellent land stewardship.

Honoring Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks Volunteers

5/10/2013

Irvine Ranch Conservancy celebrates contributions of the volunteers serving on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy helps manage nearly 30,000 acres of open space in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks – supported by a dedicated, active volunteer team of more than 350. On Saturday, May 19, the Conservancy and its partners will honor the outstanding volunteers who made public enjoyment of this natural landscape possible over the last year. The awards ceremony will include recognition of 10 recipients of the 2012 Excellence in Volunteerism award.

Over the past 12 months, the efforts of these special volunteers stood out even among their talented and committed peers. They contributed thousands of combined hours to the land leading public programs, participating in habitat restoration work, monitoring scientific research projects, and performing other jobs that support excellent stewardship of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. During the awards presentation, open space landowners and partners such as OC Parks, the City of Irvine and the City of Newport Beach will also thank the entire volunteer team for helping to provide public access and enjoyment of these spectacular lands.

Making it Easier to Give the Environment a Hand

1/4/2013

New web site listings highlight public outdoor volunteering opportunities.

While many people enjoy the natural surroundings of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, they may not know that it’s easy to help restore and protect local open spaces. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy maintains a website that shares information and activities available on the land, and now all opportunities for public volunteerism are highlighted on the site for easy access.

Habitat restoration, invasive weed removal, planting and seeding are just a few of the activities that are available for individuals or groups. To find these opportunities, visit www.LetsGoOutside.org/activities and look for activity titles that start with “Volunteer.” This tag will make it easy to scan the available outdoor activities and find opportunities to get involved in restoration programs. Visitors can click on the Event Title to sort alphabetically, then scroll down to find the activities that begin with “Volunteer.”

Conservancy Volunteers Lead the Way Through OC’s Wilderness

6/15/2012

Trained volunteers help people discover the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks while restoring and sustaining local wildlife habitats.

The question most asked on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks may be: “What’s that?”

Whether the subject is an odd-looking plant along the trail or a bird flying high overhead, this question is answered many times a day on wilderness programs led by Irvine Ranch Conservancy volunteers. While the more than 350 volunteers come from a variety of professional backgrounds, they receive technical naturalist and stewardship training that allows them to easily and enthusiastically answer just about any nature question thrown their way.