Open Space makes Orange County a special place to live. Wildlands on the Irvine Ranch make up the core of the 36,000-acre Nature Reserve of Orange County — a preserve for wildlife to thrive and people to enjoy.

In 1992, The Irvine Company began developing a plan to restore open space on the Irvine Ranch to its balanced native state. The company partnered with The Nature Conservancy, an internationally respected non-profit conservation organization. The purpose of the Nature Conservancy-Irvine Company partnership is to develop and implement a stewardship plan to manage the land, restore habitat and allow public access to The Irvine Company Open Space Reserve.

Today, The Nature Conservancy is restoring the land to a delicate balance after years of grazing by sheep and cattle and invasion of non-native plants. Through managed burns and replanting, coastal sage scrub has been restored to 20 percent of The Reserve and over 50 percent of the artichoke thistle has been controlled. The Nature Conservancy also salvages native plants from development sites and plants them on The Reserve where non-native plants have been removed.

Research and public education also play important roles in the management of The Reserve. The Nature Conservancy currently is working with the Nature Reserve of Orange County to conduct a series of wildlife studies.

The Nature Conservancy also has volunteer programs for nature enthusiasts. The Docent Program uses trained volunteers to lead tours of the land and help monitor trails. For those interested in habitat restoration, the Land Steward Program helps plant native plants, remove exotic plants, and restore and maintain trails.

Every month The Nature Conservancy hosts hikes, bicycling trips and equestrian rides. Its newest program, OC Wild, educates families about open space and how to respect the land while enjoying it. For information, call The Nature Conservancy at 714/832-7478 or visit its Web site at www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/california/.

Pg. 1: From the Canyons ... to the Coast
Pg. 2: Irvine Ranch Map
Pg. 3: Outdoor Safety and Etiquette
Pg. 4: Managing Our Wildlands
Pg. 5: Planning for the Future

Planning Ahead July 2000
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