Irvine Ranch Conservancy
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate

Make a Positive Impact on the Landmarks Through Invasive Plant Removal

2/8/2018

 
PictureNative flowers bloom on a hillside in Buck Gully in Newport Beach
Be a helping hand in the fight against invasive weeds by registering for a program on the open spaces
 
As the weather warms and spring approaches, Orange County residents can look forward to spotting colorful wildflowers across the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. However, not all blooms are welcome on the open spaces. Invasive non-native species prevent native plants and wildlife from thriving and decrease the biodiversity that makes the Landmarks so unique. It’s a critical time to remove invasive species that steal nutrients, space, and light from native plant life and threaten local protected wild lands. Nature lovers can join the fight against invasive species by registering for a stewardship program on the Landmarks!

Invasive plants and animals have large impacts on the ecosystems they invade as they can become predators, competitors, and even parasites of native plants and wildlife on the naturally diverse landscape on the Landmarks. Important invasive plants on the Landmarks include Sahara mustard; castor bean; yellow starthistle; and artichoke, milk, and Italian thistles. Irvine Ranch Conservancy offers several stewardship programs for volunteers looking to take action in the fight against invasive weeds.
 
“Invasive species on the Landmarks are our number one natural resource management issue – it’s a persistent and constant threat. Not weeding invasive species for just one year would allow them to multiply exponentially and cause extreme damage to the open spaces” commented Irvine Ranch Conservancy project manager and ecologist, Nathan Gregory. “We rely on the community volunteers to join our monthly and weekly invasive plant removal programs to increase the invasive weed removal effort out on the land.”
 
On Thursday, February 15 from 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. volunteers can help fight the Sahara mustard species during the Sahara Mustard Pull at Loma Ridge in OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve.  This pesky exotic plant has invaded thousands of acres across Southern California and is making its way through the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. Irvine Ranch Conservancy staff and volunteers need the community’s help to keep this weed at bay at Loma Ridge to stop it from infesting our wildlands.
 
The Pulling Together at Quail Hill program on Thursday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the City of Irvine’s Quail Hill focuses on spotting and removing the invasive plant artichoke thistle, which degrades the habitat for birds and other wildlife. This activity takes place on uneven off-trail surfaces and sturdy hiking boots and pants are recommended.
 
On Saturday, February 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. volunteers are encouraged to join the Milk and Italian Thistle Pull at Shoestring Trail/Limestone Canyon activity in Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve. Join Conservancy staff as we pull annual invasive weeds like the Milk and Italian thistles that invade the Oak Woodlands near Shoestring Trail.
 
Volunteers can visit the City of Newport Beach’s Buck Gully Reserve on Friday, March 2 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. during the First Friday Habitat Restoration in Buck Gully to help pull invasive plants and allow native plants and wildlife to thrive.  Participants can enjoy the coastline of Newport Beach as they make a positive impact on the protected landscape.
 
These adventurous and rewarding events will include bending, kneeling and walking across slopes and uneven terrain. All training and tools are provided, and kids ages 12 and over are welcome to participate with parent or guardian. All programs are free with required registration, which closes at 4 p.m. the day prior to the event. For more details on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks visit LetsGoOutside.org.

Comments are closed.

    About

    Welcome to the Irvine Ranch Conservancy "News from the Field" blog. These articles are written by Conservancy staff about activities and projects in and near the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks. 

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Agua Chinon
    Baker Canyon
    Big Canyon
    Birds
    Black Star Canyon
    Bommer Canyon
    Buck Gully
    City Of Irvine
    City Of Newport Beach
    Crystal Cove
    Dripping Springs
    Equestrian
    Family Friendly
    Fire
    Fire Watch
    Fremont Canyon
    Grasslands
    Habitat Restoration
    Hicks Haul Road
    Hiking & Fitness
    Interpretive
    Invasive Plants
    Irvine Open Space Preserve
    Irvine Ranch Open Space
    Irvine Regional Park
    Laguna Coast
    Limestone Canyon
    Mesa Loop
    Mountain Biking
    Native Plant Nursery
    Native Plants
    Native Seed Farm
    Nighttime
    OC Parks
    OC Zoo
    O'Neill Regional Park
    Orchard Hills
    Peters Canyon Regional Park
    Quail Hill
    Red Rocks
    Round Canyon
    Safety
    San Joaquin
    Santiago Oaks Regional Park
    Stewardship
    The Sinks
    Tracking
    Trails
    Trail Work
    Upper Newport Bay
    Volunteers
    Weir Canyon
    Wilderness Access Day
    Wildflowers
    Wildlife

    RSS Feed

Irvine Ranch Conservancy  •  4727 Portola Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92620  •  714-508-4757  •  info@irconservancy.org

© 2016 Irvine Ranch Conservancy, All Rights Reserved.   Irvine Ranch Conservancy reserves all rights under copyright, including (without limitation) rights to photographs. No permission to copy or publish any portion of this web
site or any material posted on the website is granted without the express written permission of Irvine Ranch Conservancy. 
  • Home
    • Landmarks Blog
  • What We Do
    • Programs >
      • Habitat Restoration and Enhancement
      • Wildfire Prevention
      • Community Engagement and Education
      • Invasive Species Control
      • Plant Materials
      • Monitoring and Research
      • Planning and Infrastructure
      • Volunteer Management
    • Where We Work
    • About Us >
      • Meet the Team
      • Our Partners
      • Careers
      • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donate