Category: Weir Canyon

Landmarks Focus: Oak Restoration in Weir Canyon

4/4/2019

Planting Oak trees in Weir Canyon

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.

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.

Landmarks Focus: Canyon 2 Fire Update

6/28/2018

Mule Deer in Weir Canyon after the Canyon 2 Fire

On October 9, 2017, a fire broke out in the area around Gypsum Canyon Road near the 91 Freeway. It quickly spread, burning thousands of acres within the northern portion of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, including all of Weir and Blind Canyons, and portions of Fremont Canyon. While much of the wildlife in the area was quick to recover, loss of habitat remains an issue. The fire burned through numerous patches of prickly pear cactus, key habitat for the endangered Cactus Wren. Oak woodlands were also impacted, although many of the larger more mature oak trees were able to survive. However, recovery efforts are underway, and there is strong reason to believe that with time the area will recover.

“Most of the oak trees started showing signs of new growth soon after the fire, and much of the ground vegetation is back,” said Irvine Ranch Conservancy Project Manager Nathan Gregory, Ph. D. “It could take a few years for the shrub coverage to return to its status before the fire, and decades for oak trees to grow.”

Travel Through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by Saddle

9/22/2017

Riders enjoy Limestone Canyon in the afternoon.

Equestrians can experience the open spaces during self-guided and docent-led activities.

Nature lovers can explore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks by registering for hiking, biking, and interpretive programs, and outdoor enthusiasts who own or have access to a horse can saddle up and join the fun on the open spaces! A variety of equestrian programs welcome the community to trot through designated trails on the Landmarks, where rare and native species cohabitate in Southern California’s Mediterranean climate.

“The Landmarks are home to many diverse terrains, and equestrians can experience the lands by registering for programs throughout the year,” commented Dave Raetz, Deputy Director of Irvine Ranch Conservancy. “Riders are invited to bring their horse to the Landmarks during designated activities and take in some of Orange County’s most beautiful open spaces by saddle.”

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.

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.

Tiny Pest Means Big Trouble for Oak Trees

2/20/2015

An invasive beetle found in local oak trees was likely brought to Orange County in firewood.

The tiny Goldspotted Oak Borer has killed tens of thousands of mature oak trees in San Diego County since it was first identified there in 2004. Recently, this destructive pest was found in the Weir Canyon area of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and local agencies are working quickly to isolate the infestation and prevent a similar tragedy here in Orange County.

The beetle infestation was found in 56 mature oak trees in a remote area of Weir Canyon. Of those infested, 20 were cut down and removed due to heavy infestation. OC Parks is working with Irvine Ranch Conservancy to treat and preserve the health of the rest of the affected coast live oak trees. Both groups are also working with OCFA, University of California Cooperative Extension, and state and federal fire agencies to develop a response plan in case the Goldspotted Oak Borer is found again in Orange County.

Beyond Hiking and Biking

2/28/2014

There are many ways to enjoy local wilderness, with benefits for your body and soul.

While hiking is a familiar way to enjoy the outdoors, there are other activities like trail running or habitat restoration which offer a new and different way to experience the land. Expanding your outdoor activities is a great way to get fit while enjoying the natural world.

Sticking to sidewalks or the track can become boring for runners. Luckily, the numerous trails in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks offer a variety of alternatives. Those who are new to trail running may find it best to start on wider, flatter trains to build up muscles needed for balance. There are several regional and wilderness parks in the OC Parks system that have trails perfect for the novice trail runner. Good examples include Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park and Irvine Regional Park. The beachside wilderness trails at Crystal Cove State Park are also a good choice.

Interpreting the Word “Interpretive” in Recreation

1/3/2014

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Interpretive programs help visitors discover nature in a variety of ways.

Do you enjoy discovering the detail of nature, like identifying birds by their calls or learning about native plants? You’ve probably noticed that these programs are labeled as “Interpretive” on the LetsGoOutside.org website. Participating in one of these activities is a great way to enjoy the natural beauty of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks while learning something new, and understanding what that word means in the context of outdoor activities will help you select and enjoy outdoor activities.

Interpretive activities are generally easier, shorter, and slower-paced than other programs, with multiple stops for discussions. These programs are often family-friendly, but not all interpretive programs are for all ages. “Interpretive programs focus heavily on a specific topic, explained at different levels,” says Kelley Reetz, an Interpretive Specialist at Irvine Ranch Conservancy. “Certain topics may be too intense to discuss with little ones, such as endangered species or fire ecology, or there might be different levels of detail given in a kids’ program about animals than in an adult-targeted wildlife program.”