---

 

Conservation work is happening across Orange County every month, often led by dedicated volunteers, partner organizations, and local residents. This new column aims to connect OCCNPS members directly with these efforts, provide updates on issues affecting native plants and habitats, and highlight opportunities for public participation when community voices can make a difference.

Whenever possible, these updates are provided directly by the individuals and organizations leading the work on the ground.

Dana Point

CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve: Balancing Public Access and Habitat Protection

Orange County CNPS has continued to support conservation management efforts at CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve, where the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM), the owner of the Preserve, is responsible for protecting one of Orange County’s most sensitive coastal ecosystems.

A central focus of these efforts is the protection and recovery of the endangered Pacific pocket mouse (Perognathus longimembris pacificus), one of the rarest mammals in North America and a species found in only three remaining locations in coastal Southern California. In addition to supporting the Pacific pocket mouse, the preserve provides habitat for the coastal California gnatcatcher and numerous native plants that compose the increasingly rare coastal sage scrub habitat.

Over the past several years, litigation has continued between the City of Dana Point and CNLM regarding trail access and hours of operation within CNLM’s Preserve. The debate has highlighted a familiar conservation challenge: balancing public access to natural areas with the protection of highly sensitive habitats and species.

In June, the court issued an order requiring implementation of the trail hours established through the California Coastal Commission consent agreement, modifying a previous 2022 court order that had required access from 7:00 a.m. until sunset.

Under the new interim schedule, the CNLM Preserve trail is open:

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Closed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Following Labor Day, winter hours will go into effect, with the Preserve closing at 4:00 pm on open days.

These interim hours will remain in place until a Coastal Development Permit is issued. CNLM has already submitted an application for that permit, and additional public hearings and opportunities for comment are expected as the process moves forward through both the City of Dana Point and potentially the California Coastal Commission.

OCCNPS views the implementation of these interim trail hours as an important step toward protecting the Pacific pocket mouse, native plant communities, and other natural resources within CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Stay informed as the Coastal Development Permit process moves forward.
• Participate in future public hearings and comment opportunities before the City of Dana Point and, potentially, the California Coastal Commission.
• Learn more about the ecology and conservation needs of the endangered Pacific pocket mouse and coastal sage scrub habitats.
• Support management strategies that balance public access with long-term protection of sensitive species and ecosystems.
• Visit the preserve during open hours and help promote responsible recreation practices that minimize impacts to wildlife and habitat.
• Volunteer with CNLM as a docent to lead tours.

Conservation often requires difficult conversations about how we share sensitive landscapes with the species that depend upon them. The efforts at CNLM’s Dana Point Preserve represent an important local example of trying to strike that balance thoughtfully and scientifically.

Newport Beach

Proposed Development Adjacent to the Environmental Nature Center

For more than fifty years, the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) has provided Orange County residents with a place where children discover nature, wildlife finds refuge, and people of all ages develop a lifelong connection to the natural world.

In June, the Newport Beach Planning Commission voted 4-2 to approve a proposed residential development at 1501 E. 16th Street immediately adjacent to the ENC and ENC Nature Preschool. The project would include three-story residential buildings reaching 43.4 feet in height and extending along much of the shared property line with the ENC.

The ENC is not opposed to housing or redevelopment of the site. However, the organization has expressed concerns regarding the compatibility of the proposed project with one of Orange County’s longest-standing environmental education institutions and the sensitive habitat that surrounds it.

Among the concerns raised by the ENC are the height and massing of the proposed buildings, limited setbacks and buffering between the project and the campus, privacy impacts to outdoor educational spaces and the Nature Preschool, increased noise and traffic, construction impacts, and long-term effects on restored native habitat and wildlife.

The ENC also expressed concern that the project could alter the natural atmosphere that defines the educational experience for the more than 30,000 children and adults who visit annually for field trips, camps, preschool programs, community events, and public programs.

Hundreds of community members submitted comments, attended hearings, and spoke in support of the ENC during the Planning Commission process. As a result of those efforts, additional project conditions were adopted to reduce some impacts, including enhanced screening requirements and modifications to rooftop architectural features.

While the Planning Commission approved the project, the decision may still be appealed to the Newport Beach City Council. The ENC remains committed to working collaboratively to seek solutions that better protect its educational mission, restored habitats, and the unique sense of place that has defined the campus for generations.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Stay informed as the project moves through the City’s review process and potential appeals.
• Sign up for ENC Land Protection Updates to receive notifications about future hearings and opportunities for public participation.
• Attend future City Council hearings if an appeal is filed.
• Share information about the issue with others who value environmental education, native habitat, and urban nature spaces.
• Continue supporting organizations that provide environmental education and steward native habitats within our communities.

Newport Beach

Newport Beach Police Headquarters Planning Process Begins

The City of Newport Beach has launched a new public planning process to evaluate locations for a future Police Headquarters facility. On July 7, the City’s newly formed Police Headquarters Advisory Committee will hold its first public meeting, marking the beginning of what is expected to be a multi-month evaluation of potential sites and facility needs.

The Committee’s initial meeting will focus on the history of the Newport Beach Police Department and its facilities, previous efforts to identify a suitable headquarters location, the operational needs of the current facility, and the process that will guide future committee discussions and recommendations. No decisions regarding a preferred site are expected at this first meeting.

Orange County CNPS has been following this issue because one of the locations under consideration for a new police headquarters could affect open space surrounding the Newport Beach Civic Center. These areas provide valuable habitat, mature native landscaping, wildlife movement opportunities, and important community open space within the heart of the city.

By participating early in the planning process, community members have an opportunity to help ensure that environmental considerations, habitat values, and thoughtful site selection remain part of the conversation as alternatives are evaluated.

In addition to the July 7 committee meeting, a community walk is scheduled for July 12 to familiarize participants with the sites under consideration.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Attend Police Headquarters Advisory Committee meetings and stay informed as the evaluation process moves forward.
• Participate in the July 12 community site walk to better understand the locations under consideration.
• Follow future committee agendas and recommendations as potential sites are evaluated.
• Share thoughtful, science-based comments that encourage protection of open space, mature trees, and habitat during the planning process.
• Watch for future OCCNPS updates as additional opportunities for public participation arise.

One of the most effective times to engage in conservation is at the beginning of a planning process. By staying informed now, community members can help shape decisions before they become final.

Newport Beach / Costa Mesa

Randall Preserve Planning Moves Forward

Planning efforts continue for the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve/Genga (formerly Banning Ranch), one of the largest coastal open space conservation successes in Orange County history.

The Preserve is being managed through a partnership between Coastal Corridor Alliance (formerly Banning Ranch Conservancy) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA). Together, the organizations have developed a comprehensive Property Management Plan to guide stewardship and public use of the 387-acre property.

Rather than focusing solely on trails or recreation, the planning effort takes a broad approach to long-term conservation and management. The Property Management Plan includes several companion documents, including a Resource Management Plan to guide ecological stewardship, a Tribal Access and Engagement Plan to support Indigenous access and relationships with the land, a Public Access Plan addressing trails and visitor amenities, and a Coastal Resilience Strategy focused on sea level rise and future wetland restoration opportunities.

As part of the Resource Management Plan, consultants identified ecological management units throughout the property to help prioritize restoration efforts and build upon existing habitat mitigation areas. Although portions of the site continue to undergo environmental remediation, restoration work is already occurring in several areas as required by both the California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Invasive species management will be an important component of future stewardship. Three priority invasive species have been identified for control efforts: pampas grass, giant reed (Arundo donax), and ice plant.

To prepare for future restoration work at the Preserve, Coastal Corridor Alliance has partnered with the City of Costa Mesa to train volunteers through habitat restoration projects at Fairview Park. The goal is to develop an experienced volunteer corps that can eventually transition to supporting restoration efforts at Randall Preserve as remediation activities are completed and additional areas become available for stewardship work.

For many Orange County conservationists, the Randall Preserve represents not only the protection of a remarkable landscape, but also an opportunity to participate directly in restoring and stewarding it for future generations.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Explore the Property Management Plan documents.
• Participate in Habitat Restoration Days at Fairview Park to gain experience and help prepare for future work at Randall Preserve through Eventbrite.
• Sign up for Randall Preserve Email/SMS Updates.
• Follow Coastal Corridor Alliance and MRCA updates as remediation and restoration efforts continue.
• Learn more about invasive species management and native habitat restoration in coastal Orange County.
• Consider volunteering as restoration opportunities expand at the Preserve in the coming years.

This month, conservation work at Randall Preserve may be less visible than a public hearing or development proposal, but the planning decisions being made now will shape the ecological future of this landscape for decades to come.

Orange

Orange Park Acres Oak Grove Under Review

Orange County CNPS recently submitted comments on a proposed residential development at 6146 E. Santiago Canyon Road in Orange Park Acres. The project would redevelop a former equestrian property into a 30-home subdivision that includes affordable housing while retaining portions of the site’s existing open space.

The property currently supports approximately 63 mature coast live oaks (Quercus agrifolia), some reportedly with trunk diameters exceeding five feet. According to the project’s environmental review documents, approximately 48 of these trees would be removed, leaving only 15 mature oaks remaining on the site.

OCCNPS is not opposed to redevelopment of the property or to efforts to address Orange County’s housing needs. However, the Chapter expressed concern that the loss of nearly three-quarters of the site’s mature native oak resource was determined to be a “less than significant” impact based primarily on replacement planting and compliance with the City’s tree ordinance.

Mature coast live oaks provide ecological benefits that cannot be replaced by newly planted mitigation trees for many decades. They support native wildlife, provide nesting and foraging habitat, sustain native insect communities, sequester carbon, stabilize soils, moderate temperatures, and contribute significantly to the scenic and semi-rural character that defines Orange Park Acres.

OCCNPS encouraged the City of Orange to further explore project alternatives that could preserve a substantially larger portion of the existing oak grove through modified lot layouts, reduced grading, narrower road sections, clustered development patterns, and other design refinements.

The Chapter also recommended preparation of a comprehensive Oak Preservation Plan to protect retained trees during and after construction. Experience throughout Southern California has shown that mature oaks located adjacent to new development often experience delayed decline or mortality due to root disturbance, altered drainage patterns, soil compaction, irrigation changes, and other indirect impacts associated with construction.

Finally, OCCNPS recommended enhanced mitigation measures for any unavoidable oak loss, including replacement ratios based on trunk diameter, use of locally appropriate native species, long-term monitoring, and opportunities for off-site oak restoration where on-site planting opportunities are limited.

At its core, the issue is not whether housing should be built, but whether development can proceed in a way that better preserves one of the most valuable biological and cultural resources remaining on the site: a mature native oak woodland that has taken generations to develop.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Follow the project as it moves through the City of Orange review process.
• Support policies and project designs that prioritize avoidance of impacts before relying solely on mitigation.
• Advocate for the preservation of mature native trees whenever feasible during redevelopment projects.
• Encourage local jurisdictions to adopt stronger oak protection ordinances and long-term monitoring requirements.
• Participate in public review periods and submit comments on projects affecting native habitat and significant trees.
• Support local oak restoration and stewardship efforts throughout Orange County.

San Clemente

Hansen Hotel Project: OCCNPS Continues Advocacy for Native Habitat

For nearly a year, the Orange County Chapter of the California Native Plant Society (OCCNPS) has been actively involved in reviewing and commenting on the proposed Hansen Hotel project in San Clemente. The project would construct a boutique hotel on a coastal site adjacent to native habitat and an important wildlife movement area.

Beginning in the summer of 2025, OCCNPS carefully reviewed project documents and biological studies, raising concerns regarding impacts to coastal sage scrub, wildlife connectivity, and the adequacy of environmental review under CEQA, the California Coastal Act, and Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Area (ESHA) policies. Chapter volunteers submitted detailed written and oral comments and continued to monitor project revisions as they moved through the City’s approval process.

Particular concerns included the site’s role as part of a larger coastal habitat network and its proximity to one of only three known Orange County populations of Blochman’s dudleya (Dudleya blochmaniae ssp. blochmaniae). OCCNPS members have monitored this rare coastal succulent for many years, and portions of the occurrence are within 40 meters of the proposed development site.

In January 2026, all vegetation on the project site was cleared, raising additional concerns regarding the loss of habitat values and the ability to fully evaluate biological resources.

Following Planning Commission approval, OCCNPS participated in the City Council appeal process. Chapter representatives provided testimony at both the April and May 2026 City Council hearings regarding biological resource concerns, habitat connectivity, coastal sage scrub preservation, and the need for comprehensive environmental review. Despite these concerns, the San Clemente City Council voted unanimously in May to approve the project.

While the City approval represents a milestone for the applicant, the process is not yet complete. The project must still address remaining regulatory requirements and potential review by agencies including the California Coastal Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as ongoing questions related to CEQA compliance and the protection of sensitive biological resources.

Along with an allied nonprofit, UNITEDHERE, OCCNPS will continue to monitor the project closely, review future filings and permits, coordinate with conservation partners, and advocate for the protection of native plants and their habitat.

San Juan Capistrano / Trabuco Canyon

San Juan & Trabuco Creek Herbicide Update

 

Update provided by Bethany Nelms and Creek Team.

Over the past several months, public concern has grown regarding the use of herbicides in Orange County waterways, particularly San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek.

Community members raised concerns about Orange County Public Works’ use of glyphosate-based herbicides as part of vegetation management activities within local flood control channels. Questions were also raised regarding herbicide applications in sensitive habitats supporting protected species, prompting discussions with County staff and increased public attention to current management practices.

In response, Orange County has agreed to halt herbicide spraying in San Juan Creek and Trabuco Creek while implementing a one-year pilot program to evaluate alternatives to synthetic herbicides. In addition, the Orange County Board of Supervisors recently approved a public notification requirement intended to inform residents when herbicide applications are planned in other county waterways.

These actions represent an important opportunity to evaluate vegetation management practices while balancing flood control, habitat protection, and public transparency. Orange County CNPS has been appointed to Supervisor Katrina Foley’s advisory committee, which will help review current practices and explore future management options.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Stay informed as Orange County evaluates alternatives to synthetic herbicides.
• Contact state legislators and local representatives regarding enforcement of existing environmental protections and herbicide policies.
• Attend Orange County Board of Supervisors meetings when herbicide-related items appear on the agenda.
• Participate in local city council meetings and use public comment opportunities to ask questions about herbicide use in your community.
• Learn more about vegetation management practices in local waterways and share information with neighbors and community groups.
• Support efforts to explore and implement alternatives to synthetic herbicides where appropriate.

 

Santa Ana

Santa Ana Explores a Native Plant Ordinance

A new effort is underway in Santa Ana to establish one of Orange County’s first municipal native plant ordinances.

The initiative is being led by local advocates working in partnership with the California Native Plant Society’s Urban Biodiversity Working Group and Santa Ana City Councilmember Johnathan Ryan Hernandez. The proposal draws heavily from the highly regarded Encinitas Native Plant Ordinance, which has become a model for communities throughout California.

Unlike many landscaping ordinances that simply encourage native plant use, the goal of this effort is to create meaningful, science-based standards that increase habitat value, support biodiversity, reduce water use, and improve ecological function in urban landscapes.

Orange County CNPS has expressed support for the initiative and has provided feedback emphasizing the importance of plant diversity and locally appropriate species selection rather than relying solely on minimum percentages of native plant coverage. A diverse native plant palette provides substantially greater ecological value than large monocultures of even native species.

The proposal is expected to come before the Santa Ana City Council as early as July 21, although consideration may ultimately occur at one of the August meetings as details continue to be refined.

If adopted, the ordinance could become an important model for other Orange County cities interested in strengthening biodiversity and habitat connectivity within urban environments.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Visit the Rewild Santa Ana website to learn more about the proposed ordinance and its key provisions.
• Sign up for updates so you can be notified when the proposal is scheduled for City Council consideration.
• Be prepared to submit written comments or attend the City Council meeting in person or virtually when the time comes.
• Encourage friends, neighbors, and colleagues in Santa Ana to participate in the process and support habitat-friendly landscaping policies.

This is an exciting opportunity to move beyond protecting individual habitats and toward shaping the policies that determine how our cities grow and function for decades to come.

Trabuco Canyon

Saddleback Meadows Lawsuit Filed

Planning for the proposed Saddleback Meadows development has entered a new phase as Saddleback Canyons Conservancy and Rural Canyons Conservation Fund filed a lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court challenging the County’s approval of a Use Permit for the project, a key entitlement needed to move the project forward.

The proposed Saddleback Meadows development would construct 181 market-rate homes on approximately 222 acres in Trabuco Canyon near Cook’s Corner. The site lies within a Cal Fire-designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and includes a regional wildlife corridor identified in the Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP), connecting O’Neill Regional Park and Whiting Ranch Regional Park.

The project is governed by the Foothill/Trabuco Specific Plan (FTSP), adopted by Orange County in 1991, which calls for development that preserves the area’s rural character, scenic landforms, and a transition between urban development and the Cleveland National Forest.

The lawsuit alleges that Orange County violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by relying on an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) certified in 2002 and addenda that do not adequately address significant changes that have occurred over the past two decades. According to the complaint, these include increased wildfire risk, the recent state listing of Southern California mountain lions as a threatened species, concerns associated with shared evacuation routes, and the environmental impacts of a required one-million-gallon water tank that has not yet been sited.

The complaint further alleges that the project’s average lot size violates the minimum required by the FTSP and Zoning Code to preserve the area’s rural character.

Orange County CNPS has actively participated in the process, submitting detailed comment letters on the project in both 2024 and 2026 expressing concerns regarding biological resources, habitat connectivity, and compliance with environmental review requirements.

How CNPS Members Can Help

• Learn more about the project and the legal challenge and consider contributing to the legal fund.
• Follow future court proceedings and project updates.
• Stay engaged as additional public participation opportunities arise.
• Support organizations working to protect habitat connectivity and the rural character of Orange County’s canyon communities.

As this case moves through the legal process, it will help determine how environmental review, habitat conservation, wildfire safety, and rural planning policies are applied to future development proposals in Orange County’s canyon communities.

Know of an Orange County conservation issue, policy effort, restoration project, or advocacy opportunity with a native plant impact that deserves attention? We’d love to hear from you for a future Conservation & Advocacy Update. Send your feedback to orangecounty@cnps.org.