National Public Lands Day: Honoring the Irvine Ranch Open Space

Orange County is home to a variety of nature preserves, open spaces, wilderness parks and regional parks that contain important natural habitats, unusual geological formations and hundreds of species of plants and animals. As we mark National Public Lands Day on September 27, we celebrate the incredible natural wildlands within our communities, like the Irvine Ranch Open Space. 

With six nature preserves spanning over 25,000 acres of permanently protected wildlands, the Irvine Ranch Open Space’s remarkable landscape is named a State and National Natural Landmark. It is made up of multiple wilderness areas, including Limestone Canyon, Black Star Canyon, Fremont Canyon, Weir Canyon, Gypsum Canyon, Saddleback and Red Rock. 

OC Parks and Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) manage the land and provide the public opportunities to experience the area through various educational and recreational activities, available through regularly scheduled programs. Hiking, biking and equestrian activities within Irvine Ranch Open Space are accessible through monthly self-guided Wilderness Access Days or docent-led scheduled activities. 

Whether through self-guided or guided activities, each location offers a unique experience in nature, along with its own unique challenges. With environmental protections in place to safeguard rare natural resources, OC Parks and IRC work together to balance public access and conservation efforts. Beyond the behind-the-scenes work of dedicated staff and volunteers, both organizations invite the public to engage in meaningful environmental stewardship opportunities.

National Public Lands Day shares this mission of connection and care. It’s a nationwide effort to bring people together to restore, enhance and protect our parks. Whether you’re a seasoned trail explorer or visiting for the first time, it’s a perfect occasion to reconnect with nature and give back. To get involved, visit letsgooutside.org to discover upcoming stewardship events and learn how you can support IRC’s mission. You can also celebrate by joining a guided activity or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the land.

We hope to see you out on the trail soon!