​Did you know that about 75% of all flowering plant species need the help of animals to move pollen grains for fertilization? Pollination is an essential process in sustaining a functioning ecosystem. The work of pollination is shared by a variety of different pollinators including bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, bats, ants, wasps, and some small mammals.
 
Irvine Ranch Conservancy works consistently to protect and restore the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. IRC grows more than 50 native plant species on the Native Seed Farm in Irvine, attracting a variety of local pollinators. We use the seed grown at the Native Seed Farm for restoration projects across the Landmarks, where pollinators play their role to help these native species thrive in the wild. Even with the hard work of IRC staff and volunteers, local pollinators can still use your help to keep our native wildlands thriving. 

Many visitors to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks get an instant mood boost from seeing the beautiful springtime colors of wildflowers blanketing the hills. If you’re not a botanist, you might have wondered what some of the colorful species dotting the landscape are called. Some are less easy to identify, but a standout beauty is the arroyo lupine. Impress your friends with your botanical knowledge the next time you’re out on the trail.

Part of the pea family, this vibrant purple bloom has a recognizably lupine shape, with clusters of flowers forming a narrow, tapering bloom. Arroyo lupine is native to California and does well in a number of habitats, including the chaparral habitat found in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, and is more water-tolerant than other lupine family members. It is one of the more than 50 species grown at Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm, where it is used along with other native plants for restoration projects. Lupines are attractive to pollinators like bees, birds and butterflies. Arroyo lupine’s water tolerance and appeal to pollinators makes it a great choice for a home garden. ​

​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.

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.
​
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.

Spring is officially upon us and wildflower blooms are in full effect across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! In case you missed it, Irvine Ranch Conservancy shared a collection of wildflowers that can be seen across the Landmarks during the #WhereTheWildFlowersAre social media takeover. From March 15 - 21, the Conservancy’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter were blooming with color as each post highlighted some of the most common local wildflowers.
 
The #WhereTheWildflowersAre social media takeover featured 24 different local wildflowers and gave wildflower fans an easily accessible way to explore the outdoors and inspire outdoor enthusiasts to get out and spot these local blooming beauties. Wildflowers like Arroyo Lupine, Bush Sunflowers, Common Fiddlenecks and the popular super bloom California Poppies were just a few of the species that were featured during the virtual tour. Check out a few posts below with fun facts about local wildflowers.
​
Chocolate Lily (Fritillaria biflora) - Named for the color of its flowers, the Chocolate Lily is most often found on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks in Chaparral areas.

​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. 

Join a program on the Native Seed Farm and learn how to help pollinators thrive.
 
Birds, bats, bees, butterflies and beetles are just a few creatures that belong to a very special group of wildlife: pollinators. Although small in size, these pollinators make a big impact on the world around them. Nature lovers are encouraged to discover the positive effects pollinators have on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and beyond by joining a Native Seed Farm program during National Pollinator Week, June 18-24.

​​Pollination is the first step in the process that produces seeds, fruits, and the next generation of plants.  Over ten years ago, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the designation of “National Pollinator Week,” marking a necessary step towards addressing the issue of declining pollinator populations. Without the actions of pollinators, agriculture, food supply, and habitats could decline.

​Don’t miss the virtual wildflower tour on April 3 and register for a program at the Native Seed Farm and beyond to see wildflowers this spring
 
Wildflowers are blooming on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks! With the recent rains, local wildflowers are growing at the Native Seed Farm on the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve and beyond. Visitors to the lands can head out to the Seed Farm to spot colorful blooms including the arroyo lupine and California poppies. Nature lovers can also connect with the lands online through a virtual wildflower takeover on Tuesday, April 3 beginning at 6 a.m. on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks social media pages. Discover the vibrant and diverse native wildflowers that call the Landmarks home this spring.

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.​

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.

Nature lovers are invited to register for a free program on the Landmarks to admire early wildflower blooms on the open spaces.
 
The Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are home to a rich ecosystem bustling with rare and native species including coastal scrub oak, black sage, and prickly pear cactus. Southern California’s recent heavy rains led to an early wildflower season this year, and many of the Landmarks are beginning to bloom ahead of spring. Pops of color are sprouting amidst annual plant life, and nature lovers are welcome to enjoy the sights and smells of wildflowers by registering for a free public program.

Tune in to a virtual wildflower tour on March 21, and enjoy opportunities to see blooms firsthand on a variety of programs connecting visitors to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

March 20 marks the first official day of spring, and there are a variety of programs on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks that let visitors celebrate the season for wildflowers, including a virtual wildflower tour on Monday, March 21.

This year’s inconsistent weather has resulted in many blooms popping up early – short but intense bursts of rain followed by unseasonable heat tricked many wildflowers into thinking that winter was over. Many native wildflowers can already be seen across the Landmarks, and while the hope was for more rainfall, now is the time to see a wide variety of flowers that wouldn’t normally be in bloom until late spring. Common wildflowers such as California poppies (Eschscholzia californica), arroyo lupine (Lupinus succulentus) and Parry’s phacelia (Phacelia parryi) are plentiful in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, alongside more elusive native species including chaparral sweet pea (Lathyrus vestitus) and California golden violets (Viola pedunculata).

From the dark leaves of coastal scrub oak and black sage, to the bright hues of coyote brush and coastal prickly pear cactus, St. Patrick’s Day green is a common color around the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks this time of year. Recent rains and the winter season – when native plants come out of dormancy – have made the green shades even more prominent.
​
There are a variety of activities out on the Landmarks the week of St. Patrick’s Day to spot green in full force, whether during a fast-paced hike, an interactive outdoor adventure or volunteer opportunities giving back.

The first official day of spring isn’t until March 20, but many flowers on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks are already beginning to bloom. Chocolate lilies have been spotted on the slopes of West Loma Ridge in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve, Weir Canyon Nature Preserve is rich with fields of bright yellow fiddlenecks, and wild hyacinth and sticky monkey flower are plentiful along many trails in Bommer Canyon.

But wildflowers need more than just warm weather and rainfall to thrive long-term. Invasive and non-native plants can steal light and nutrients from native flora, making it harder for native species to grow. In 2012, the small-flowered morning glory – a rare, native flower that was in decline within the Landmarks – was discovered sprouting from dormant seeds in the West Loma Ridge watershed habitat restoration area. This uncommon flower was able to make a comeback in part due to the removal of invasive species; in the absence of weeds, its seeds remaining in the soil were able to return to an environment free of competition from invasive plants.

Celebrate the new farm’s opening by planting seedlings that will be harvested for future habitat restoration.

The New Year brings new beginnings for all, and 2016 is off to an exciting start with the opening of an expanded Native Seed Farm. The original 12-acre farm, created in 2009, has relocated and expanded to 14 acres, with 8 acres of growing area ready to be planted. You can help get the new farm site off the ground by planting seedlings that will be harvested for future habitat restoration projects throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

Winter is the optimal season for native species planting, and 15,000 native plant seedlings need to be in the ground at the new farm site by the end of February. Public support has been crucial to the farm’s success from day one, and will continue at the new site with twice-weekly volunteer opportunities tailored to fit each season. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff have spent the past year planning and preparing the site, and now members of the community have a unique chance to plant tiny seedlings that will have a huge impact on successful habitat restoration.

Asters are in bloom at the Native Seed Farm, and you can help harvest the seeds.

The Aster family (Asteraceae) is one of the largest plant families in the world, with nearly 24,000 unique species. These plants are also known as “composite” flowers, since their flower heads are usually made up of a cluster of tiny flowers surrounded by larger petals. Each of these minute clustered flowers forms a seed, and at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm, those seeds are ready to be harvested. Native asters are some of the last blooming flowers of the season, so you can see the final pops of wildflowers while helping restore native habitat across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks.

​Volunteering at the Native Seed Farm is easy, and is even open to kids ages 8 and up. Volunteers receive training in native plant identification, information on how plants reproduce, and background on where the seeds go after they are harvested. All tools and training are provided, and the activities take place before the day gets too warm. Right now, there are three different aster species ready to be harvested at the farm:

If you enjoy the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, volunteering at the Native Seed Farm is the perfect way to say “thanks” to the land.

Thanksgiving time signals the end of the harvest season at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm. Seeds gathered there support habitat restoration projects across all of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With this seed, habitat restoration is easier and more cost-efficient -- benefiting the land, the wildlife and your enjoyment of local open space.

The best part is, it’s easy for you to help support this critical part of ongoing habitat health. Conservancy staff lead public volunteer activities at the farm on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. So, during Thanksgiving week, you have two opportunities to say “thanks” to the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Volunteers at the Native Seed Farm next week will help collect seeds from California goldenrod (Solidago californica), Palmer’s goldenbush (Ericameria palmerii), California mugwhort (Artemisia douglasiana) and wild tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus). 

Spring is the season for wildflowers on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. With the lack of rainfall, the amount of wildflowers may not be as good as in previous years. However, there is plenty of color to be spotted along trails. Many varieties have been seen recently, and with the recent rain more will bloom.

Indian Paintbrush, Castilleja affinis
Indian paintbrush is named for the top of the plant looking like it has been dipped into a can of paint. The tubular flowers are slender and clustered near the stem tips and are hidden among the colorful bracts. The bracts, or modified leaves, are usually scarlet-colored or occasionally yellow and are often mistaken as the flowers. Stems are woody and purplish in color, and like the flowers and leaves, are hairy. Indian paintbrush is able to produce its own food, but often supplements its diet by tapping into the roots of adjacent plants. Normal blooming time is February through May. This wildflower can be found growing on hills and is pollinated by hummingbirds and bees.

OCTA recently approved grant funding for expansion of successful project on West Loma Ridge.

The last time the Great Valley phacelia was spotted in Orange County, John F. Kennedy was president. Now, an Irvine Ranch Conservancy habitat restoration project on Loma Ridge near Irvine has allowed this native plant’s dormant seeds to come alive again. The 63-acre project includes removal of non-native plants as well as planting native seeds, and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) recently approved nearly $1.3 million in grant funding to advance the Conservancy’s work in the West Loma watershed.

The Phacelia ciliata was discovered by Fred Roberts, a botanical consultant with more than 25 years of field experience surveying rare plants in southern California. Roberts, who is Rare Plants Co-Chair of the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plants Society, performed surveys in West Loma, where the rare small-flowered morning glory was spotted just last month. The West Loma project area is home to the largest population of small-flowered morning glory (Convolvulus simulans) growing in Orange County, according to Roberts’ research.

Native plant seeds are ready for harvest, and Irvine Ranch Conservancy seeks volunteers to help.

California poppies are beautiful, but what do they sound like? Hear for yourself while helping restore natural habitats at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm. Now through mid-June is a critical time for seed collection, and the Conservancy is seeking individuals and groups to take part in the harvest.

As you walk along the rows of orange blooms, you’ll hear a distinctive “pop” as the seed pods burst open. This is the California poppy’s way of dispersing seeds, and Conservancy staff hopes to collect seed pods from the poppy and other flowers on the farm now, just as they are beginning to disperse.

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.