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Bommer Canyon Nature Garden before & after restoration work.
Images courtesy of Irvine Ranch Conservancy.
The City of Irvine and Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) welcome nature lovers to experience the new Bommer Canyon Nature Garden, where visitors can learn about native habitats, local plant life, and Orange County’s ranching history.
“The new Bommer Canyon Nature Garden is all about the past, present, and future of the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks,” said Brian Hughes, Interpretive Activities Manager for Irvine Ranch Conservancy. “IRC staff and volunteers worked closely with the City of Irvine to help create and maintain the Nature Garden, so visitors can learn about Bommer Canyon’s history and why the area was developed into a nature preserve.”
Originally overrun by weeds and invasive plant species, the area located near the Bommer Canyon Cattle Camp was designated as the ideal site for an interpretive nature garden, so visitors can learn about why Orange County’s native wildlands are an important part of the local ecosystem. Through interpretive panels installed by IRC’s Planning and Infrastructure team, the Bommer Canyon Nature Garden will take visitors on a journey through the history of the Irvine Ranch, showcasing ranching techniques and old cattle equipment, as well as native plants from local coastal sage scrub, riparian, and grassland habitats.
“A big part of the success of the Bommer Canyon Nature Garden is the dedication from our IRC volunteers,” said Hughes. Leading up to the opening of the Nature Garden, IRC volunteers dedicated months of their time to keeping the area healthy by weeding, clearing trails, planting, and tending to the garden plants, and will continue their efforts to help keep the area healthy and thriving.
“With the plants well established, trails complete and signage installed, the Bommer Canyon Nature Garden is ready to become part of the seven-day access trail system on the Landmarks,” said Hughes. “It sits perfectly next to the Nature Loop Trail in Bommer Canyon and is a great spot to rest and learn more about Orange County’s urban wildlands.” The Nature Loop Trail and Nature Garden are accessible seven days a week from 7 a.m. to sunset.
For more information about Irvine Ranch Conservancy and restoration efforts on the Landmarks, visit IRConservancy.org. For more information about the City of Irvine open space, visit cityofirvine.org.
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
Irvine Ranch Conservancy is a non-profit, non-advocacy organization created in 2005 to help preserve and support the Irvine Ranch Natural Landmarks, enhancing the public’s connection to the land while helping partners and landowners with all aspects of stewardship. The Conservancy offers a variety of free, guided outdoor activities for all nature enthusiasts including hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding and much more. For more information, visit www.letsgooutside.org.
City of Irvine
Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 310,250 that spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of Great Park. For more information, please visit www.cityofirvine.org.
