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The City of Irvine: Partnership…Preservation…Passion
The Preserve is made up of a mosaic of native habitats including wetlands, oak woodlands and rare coastal sage scrub. It is home to some of the most biologically diverse natural communities in the world. This scenic land is also a haven for rare and endangered plants and wildlife as well as an area for recreation and respite. The City of Irvine has always placed a high priority on protecting its open spaces and natural communities. They are part of the special character of the City. The Irvine Open Space Preserve includes such jewels as Quail Hill, Bommer Canyon and Shady Canyon. The strongest expression of how much value Irvine residents place on open space is the 1988 voter-approved ballot measure (the Open Space Initiative) that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. The measure ensured that large areas of open space would be protected in the City forever. Recently, as the open space protection vision has been fulfilled, the City has turned its attention to taking care of its unique and important places for the benefit of both the natural environment and residents. By engaging members of the community in outdoor recreation and education experiences, Irvine's open space will always be a treasured part of the City. On July 1st, 2005, the City partnered with the Irvine Ranch Conservancy to provide public access programs, natural resource management and trail building and maintenance for the Open Space Preserve. Under this partnership, the Conservancy has been conducting scheduled programs and special guided hikes and tours in the area -and in the process more than tripling the opportunities for people to enjoy and connect to the land. Click here for upcoming Open Space programs. These programs complement the City's classes and day camps held at the Turtle Rock Nature Center and Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp. Irvine continues to lead the pack in open space management. In 2007, the City obtained final approval of the Recreation and Resource Management Plan for the Open Space Preserve-South. This Plan ensures protection for natural resources; establishes trails and signs; provides public safety in the open space; and will create even more opportunities for access to the Open Space Preserve. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy is hard at work helping the City implement this plan. The City expanded the partnership in 2007 to include open space in the North, which will further enhance future access to open space for City residents. We have an enduring and special partnership with the City of Irvine, because they share the Conservancy's vision and commitment to preserving and connecting people to this magnificent land. Together we share a passion for excellent stewardship. |
