
As a Program Coordinator for Irvine Ranch Conservancy, Nicole manages the monitoring of projects focused on specific success criteria. Nicole also collects and analyzes data on plant communities, wildlife diversity, and ecological health.
“I love the diversity of work I get to do with Irvine Ranch Conservancy,” said Tamura. “I always have exciting tasks, whether it’s counting songbirds in Limestone Canyon, identifying pollinators under a microscope, or frolicking through the foothills to take vegetation data on our habitat restoration projects.”
Nicole has played an integral role in handling large-scale habitat restoration sites in Silverado Creek, West Loma Ridge, Bee Flat Canyon, and Agua Chinon Canyon. No matter what project she’s working on, Nicole is thankful to work in the beautiful, diverse habitats in the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, such as those in Weir Canyon, Bommer Canyon, Shady Canyon and Buck Gully.
Working on habitat restoration projects has taught Nicole that each project and site bears its own unique challenge. Tasks like taking vegetation transect data for restoration projects may require Nicole to trek through thick fields of 10-foot tall black mustard. Regardless of the challenge, Nicole’s passion for the outdoors motivates her to continue exploring each unique site.
“One of my favorite spots on the Landmarks is a lone oak tree on top of a hill in Weir Canyon,” said Tamura. “It boasts an amazing view of Mt. Baldy and the rest of the San Gabriel mountain range, which is especially beautiful when there is snow on the mountain tops. I only get to go to that tree once a year for Goldspotted Oak Borer surveys, as long as someone else doesn't survey that tree before me!”
To learn more about habitat restoration projects throughout the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks and how you can get involved, visit LetsGoOutside.org.