What preservation really means.
Photo by: david-stocklein
The Nature Reserve of Orange County was established in 1996, thanks to a massive, collaborative conservation effort.
The culmination of this effort is the Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan for the Central and Coastal Subregion of Orange County. That’s quite a mouthful, so we just call it the NCCP/HCP or the Plan for short. The 38,000 acres of wildlands that are part of the NROC are governed by this plan, which provides long-term protection for wildlife (like the coastal California gnatcatcher, and 38 more protected species) and their critical habitats (including SoCal’s precious coastal sage scrub). It also provides regulatory assurances and economic benefits for participating landowners.
After the Plan was signed by landowners and representatives from both federal and state agencies, the Natural Communities Coalition was established. This Irvine-based nonprofit coordinates the land management, monitoring, and research of the Nature Reserve of Orange County. Representatives from all of the Reserve partners, including landowners, land managers, and the wildlife agencies that support these natural spaces, make up the board of directors—a total group effort.
All of this means that while these 38,000 acres are a true treasure for everyone in Orange County to experience and enjoy, the land and its wildlife come first. Everything happening on the Reserve, from restoration projects and clean-up days to invasive plant removal and animal behavior research, is done for the benefit of the plants and wildlife that define the character, uniqueness, and natural diversity of Orange County. It’s why we ask you to explore kindly. And appreciate the natural wonders of these wildlands with the respect and care they deserve.