EDITOR'S NOTE: Trish Smith is a sixth-generation Californian who inherited her mother's love for the outdoors as a child growing up in the foothills of the San Gabriel Valley. Since 1992, she has guided The Nature Conservancy's stewardship of much of the wildlands on the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. A habitat restoration expert, Trish holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a master's degree in landscape architecture from Cal Poly Pomona.

y earliest recollection of what is now the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve was as a 6-year-old, traveling with my family to visit relatives in Laguna Beach. The trip from our home in the San Gabriel Valley was pretty boring - lots of freeway miles and nothing to see but asphalt, it seemed.

But when we had finally made our way to Pacific Coast Highway, the view suddenly opened up as we reached the bluff at what is now Crystal Cove State Park. The light, the coastline and the beauty always brought me out of my boredom and got me excited about our visit.

As an ecologist for The Nature Conservancy of California, I have been fortunate to be connected with some of the west's most diverse and inspiring landscapes. But as a native southern Californian, there is something about the scrub, oak woodland and chaparral landscape of the Irvine Ranch that always pulls me back.

People often ask why I choose to stay and work in Orange County, when The Nature Conservancy provides opportunities to work throughout the world. I tell them it's because I already have one of the best jobs in the world.

During the past decade, I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from scientists, agency partners, volunteers and Irvine Company staff. These remarkable people have dedicated themselves to studying, managing and helping others discover the natural treasures of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. The Nature Conservancy and The Irvine Company are committed to ensuring the long-term biological health of the reserve. They understand that innovative, science-based management is critical to maintaining the reserve's native plant and animal species and natural processes.

I'm fortunate to work with some of the region's best scientists working on the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve. Together, we tackle conservation issues of mutual interest, sharing information, expertise, and technology. I can't tell you what it means to be able to play a role in ensuring the long-term ecological health of some of California's most biologically diverse lands.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is studying the restoration of a piece of land that has been used for cattle grazing or farming for more than a century. Nature often finds its way on its own terms; the land has a gentle but determined way of telling us what it used to be - and what it can be once more with a little help.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve is an incredible heritage for Orange County residents. We should all be proud of it and do what we can to protect it. It's important to realize that these large, intact open spaces on the reserve make it possible for native rare plants and animals - and entire habitats and ecosystems - to thrive and ensure that our natural heritage remains.

Before taking the job as reserve manager for The Nature Conservancy, I worked for an environmental consulting firm that did a lot of work on the Irvine Ranch. I had the opportunity to explore many of the wild areas here, like Fremont, Weir and Limestone canyons. Limestone, in particular, became a favorite place of mine because of its native grasslands, oak woodlands and beautiful geologic formations.

When I was in Limestone, I would think, "This is one of the most beautiful places in Southern California. Wouldn't it be wonderful if The Irvine Company donated it as permanent open space, placed it under the management of The Nature Conservancy, and I could be the reserve manager?" I actually thought that. It would be my dream job.

And that's what keeps me here.