The IRC team is constantly working on a variety of different projects in and around the Landmarks, whether it's working on rehabilitating a local trail, watering plants at a nursery, or tending to plants at the Native Seed Farm. The City of Irvine’s Youth Action Team is one of the many community organizations IRC partners with to give local teens the chance to experience and learn about our native wildlands, and how they can help preserve important habitats.
Areas like OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon have provided ideal opportunities for the Youth Action Team and IRC staff to work together. About two years ago, Matilde began working at the Augustine Staging Area in Limestone Canyon to help beautify the land. From the beginning of the project, the Youth Action Team has assisted in projects such as watering, weeding and mulching at the staging area to ensure the success of restoring native plants in Limestone Canyon. In fact, the Youth Action Team was involved in the first planting of new oak tree seedlings in the area and helped with the planting of over 300 oak tree seedlings earlier this year. This summer, the Youth Action Team will assist in removing tree tubes from oak seedlings in Weir Canyon, where oak restoration has been a focus for the IRC team.
In addition to beautifying the Augustine Staging Area, Matilde and the IRC team have been working to restore native plants along the Dripping Springs trail in Limestone Canyon. Due to wildfire events that took place in fall 2020, the popular trail was damaged and has since been in the process of being restored. With the help of public volunteers, Matilde and the IRC team have been planting native wildflowers, grasses and shrubs to enhance the trail, as well as the surrounding habitat.
To register for an upcoming stewardship event with Irvine Ranch Conservancy, visit LetsGoOutside.org. For more information about the Landmarks, visit IRConservancy.org or follow the Landmarks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.