ithin the boundaries of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve, a unique, national model of habitat conservation and management is at work protecting entire natural communities and the many birds, reptiles and other animals that depend on them for survival. Known as The Nature Reserve of Orange County, it is a collaborative, multi-agency effort that plays a vital role in ensuring the long-term conservation of the reserve's sensitive resources.

Until 1991, habitat and wildlife protection in Orange County and elsewhere in California occurred on a project by project basis that usually focused on a single species. But that year, the state created the Natural Community Conservation Plan (NCCP), a decidedly more comprehensive approach to reconciling the need for new growth with the importance of preserving, protecting and managing entire natural communities.

The Nature Reserve of Orange County is the local manifestation of the statewide NCCP. Guided by Executive Director Lyndine McAfee and supported by a $10 million endowment, its voluntary membership includes federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Game; county and city entities, including the County of Orange and City of Irvine; public agencies, including Southern California Edison and UC Irvine; and private landowners, including The Irvine Company.

The Nature Reserve of Orange County was established by the County of Orange when it set aside 37,000 acres of land for permanent protection - 21,000 acres contributed by The Irvine Company, and 16,000 acres from other entities. Much of that land falls within the boundaries of the larger Irvine Ranch Land Reserve.

The Nature Reserve of Orange County plays a key role in protecting and managing the unique natural communities on the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. Indeed, according to its mission statement, it was created "To ensure the persistence of the reserve's natural communities...through the protection, study and restoration of native habitats and natural processes."

As just one example of its myriad large-scale conservation efforts, The Nature Reserve of Orange County monitors activities to protect and restore coastal sage scrub habitat, which supports 100 plants and animals that exist nowhere else in the world. As one part of those efforts, the reserve helps fund biologist Robb Hamilton's ongoing monitoring of California gnatcatchers and cactus wrens, which thrive in coastal sage scrub habitat (see story, "Is It Live...Or Is It That Sneaky Ornithologist?").

Through its comprehensive approach to protecting and managing entire natural communities, The Nature Reserve of Orange County is helping to ensure that our rich natural heritage will be conserved for generations to come.