All about the Reserve.
It's like having a national park in your own backyard.
Across Orange County are 38,000 acres of permanently protected natural land, and together they make up the Nature Reserve of Orange County—stewarded wildlands from the mountains to the sea.
The Reserve, and its landscapes, are nothing short of epic. There are old-growth oak groves, coastal wetlands, ancient red rock formations, and creekside trails. You'll see lush wilderness and rolling grasslands, pristine coastline and awe-inspiring vistas. It’s home to a thriving ecosystem of thousands of plant and animal species, the health of which we depend on for clean air, water, food, and more. It's more than a backdrop, it's Orange County's backbone.
These wildlands are part of what makes this area such an incredibly special place to live and visit, and there are many landowners, land managers, environmental organizations, dedicated volunteers, and appreciative residents all working together to steward its success.
We are here to help Orange County’s natural spaces thrive—for the community, for the planet, forever.
Shared Values
These are the driving forces that guide the way we manage the land, the purpose it serves, and the way we want everyone to understand, experience, and care for the Reserve.
Protection and preservation are what we do best.
All of Earth’s elements are interconnected—if one thrives, others will follow. The NROC was established to create a permanent habitat for Orange County’s plants and wildlife—a new and innovative approach to species protection and rehabilitation, supported by developers, government agencies, and environmental organizations, all working together to keep OC wild.
Our Stewardship