20th Anniversary Program Spotlight: Community Engagement and Education

Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) was founded 20 years ago to protect, restore and enhance the tens of thousands of acres of wildlands across Southern California. Over the past two decades, IRC’s commitment has expanded beyond the land itself to include educating the local community and finding ways to help the community engage with the land. Today, these efforts are as vital as the conservation work on the ground.

IRC’s Community Engagement and Education team plays a key role in connecting Southern Californians to their local wildlands. By fostering a collective vision for caring for these natural spaces, IRC helps connect people to the landscapes in meaningful ways. Composed of staff who support other IRC program areas – including Habitat Restoration and Enhancement, Monitoring and Research, Volunteer Management and more – by serving as a bridge between the public and stewardship efforts on the land. Their goal? To create hands-on opportunities that encourage community involvement across all areas of IRC’s work.

“The Community Engagement and Education program is a branch in the mighty oak tree of IRC that continues to grow,” says Kelley Brugmann, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager. “I started at IRC as an intern, so I have been on the ground level, seeing the direct growth of the organization. Being part of a non-profit that started with a dozen people and seeing the growth and impact is an amazing and exciting experience. I am grateful to be able to celebrate this anniversary and for the opportunity to make a positive impact through my role as Program Manager for Community Engagement and Education.”

One of the main ways IRC provides opportunities for community involvement is through dynamic recreational activities and informal learning opportunities on the land that local community members can join. IRC staff work closely with volunteers to develop activities that give community members a chance to experience the land firsthand. The team provides a wide range of experiences, including free hiking, biking and fitness activities, stewardship activities like invasive plant removal or habitat enhancement projects, interpretive activities like the Seasonal Science Series, and special events such as annual meteor shower viewings. These activities are also designed to accommodate various fitness levels, from gentle educational strolls to strenuous hikes. The activities ensure there are opportunities for everyone to get out and experience Orange County’s beautiful wildlands. The Accessibility For All activity series furthers this commitment, ensuring inclusive experiences for individuals with visual or hearing impairments, physical challenges or learning differences. Events may include American Sign Language interpreters or be held on paved, level roads to accommodate wheelchairs, creating more pathways for everyone to explore Orange County’s wildlands. All activities hosted by IRC staff and volunteers are found on LetsGoOutside.org.

Beyond exploration, IRC empowers community members to care for the land through hands-on stewardship. The Community Engagement and Education team is essential for bringing these opportunities to people. Activities range from single-day restoration projects, like weed removal or seasonal plantings, to weekly opportunities such as the Growing Together Series at the Native Seed Farm. The Community Engagement and Education team’s outreach efforts extend beyond IRC-managed lands to meet people where they are to help connect them with stewardship opportunities. Through tabling at local events or onsite involvement with community-based projects, these efforts offer a glimpse into the work IRC is doing, building connections and sparking interest in future participation. Notable partnerships include programs at Northwood High School and the Delhi Center. Whether you’re new to conservation or a seasoned volunteer, IRC provides meaningful ways to connect with nature and give back.

The Community Engagement and Education team works closely with the Volunteer Management and Administration team to develop specialized volunteer training across program areas, including the ENGAGE protocol, a public engagement framework that ensures consistency and excellence. This requires close collaboration across IRC departments, reinforcing the organization’s comprehensive approach to conservation. The team works closely with the Volunteer Management and Administration program to provide the highest standard of excellence in our volunteer trainings that reach over 550 volunteers to best prepare them with customer service, program development, natural and cultural history and group management.

Through partnerships with landowners, community leaders and residents, IRC helps foster a shared appreciation for urban wildlands and a shared vision for the importance of caring for them. By engaging the community through education, recreation and action, IRC is building a thriving community of caretakers, one meaningful experience at a time.

Stay tuned this year for more ways to help celebrate 20 years of stewardship with IRC!