The Nature Reserve of Orange County

Within the boundaries of the open space on The Irvine Ranch^®, a 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 much more comprehensive approach to reconciling the need for new growth with the importance of preserving, and managing entire local natural communities such as oak woodlands and coastal sage scrub.

The Nature Reserve of Orange County was created in 1996 when 37,000-acres of land were set aside for permanent protection – 21,000 acres contributed by The Irvine Company, and 16,000 acres from other entities.

The Nature Reserve of Orange County plays a key role in the protection and management of sensitive natural communities on The Irvine Ranch. 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 large scale conservation efforts, The Nature Reserve of Orange County protects and restores local coastal sage scrub habitat, which supports species that are rarely found in other parts of the world.

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.