Sweet Orange

This Saturday is the Fourth of July, our birthday. I hope that everyone has a chance to get out and enjoy

the intrinsic beauty of the organism called America
–Aldo Leopold

PHOTO COLLAGE COURESTY The Irvine Ranch Conservancy

“[O]nly in California can you see a 40,000-acre Natural Landmark right in th midle of one of the nation’s most vibrant and economically important urban areas.”–Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

The National Natural Landmark program gives federal recognition to both private and public land that shows examples of the best biological and geological features that exist in the United States. Fewer than 600 areas in the United States have been designated as National Natural Landmarks. One of them is right in “our backyard.”

In 2006, the Department of the Interior designated approximately 40,000 acres of the Irvine Ranch as one of these rare locations. The Irvine Ranch was once one of the largest working ranches in the United States and covered much of Orange County, not just Irvine. Today, the Irvine Ranch covers about 93,000 acres of Orange County land. The Irvine Ranch Conservancy is about 50,000 acres of that 93,000 acres.

On Earth Day 2008, this area received a similar designation from the State of California. Under a new program that recognizes stewardship of both public and private land that contains important animal life, plant life and geological features, the State of California designed this area as the first California Natural Landmark.

“The landscape is home to hundreds of species of plants and animals, including eagles, badgers, mountain lions, Tecate cypress trees, and many rare species of birds, reptiles, amphibians and plants. Scientists have identified this region as one of the world’s biodiversity “hot spots” –an area with large concentrations of species found nowhere else.”

For a look at the locations that are included in the Irvine Ranch National Natural Landmark (such as the San Joaquin Marsh, the Mountains to Sea Trail, Laguna Coast, and Irvine Regional Park) as well as the activities available at these locations, click here. For a look at an Irvine Company YouTube video of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark, click here.

Graphic of Upper Newport Bay Courtesy the Irvine Ranch Conservancy

Tomorrow: a look at homes on the market in Eastside Costa Mesa

Update: For more on the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmark as well as information on National Natural Landmarks, see these posts: “Take a Day Trip Orange County Style” and “Take a Long Weekend Trip Orange County Style.”