Successes

Public & Private Investments

A large economic investment has been made at local, regional, statewide, and federal levels to create the network of preserved lands in Central Orange County and beyond. To date, hundreds of millions of dollars of private and public funds and additional non-monetary resources have been spent to preserve and manage these areas. Large open space systems are needed for wildlife movement and ecological connectivity to survive over the long term. Without viable wildlife and habitat connections, the systems will lose their ecological functionality over time.

Corridor Progress

Milestones on the corridor include:

• Identification of the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor as first priority on the State of California’s list of 30 x 30 southland regional group projects (2023)
• Stakeholders celebrate the 10-year anniversary of adopting the Irvine Wildlife Corridor Plan at the Great Park. (2023)
• FivePoint commences landscaping the Central Reach of the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor. (2020)
• The County of Orange rescinds the approvals and all associated documentation for two projects in Irvine after a lawsuit filed by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. and its partners. This includes the controversial West Alton Parcel, which had been slated for a large housing development adjacent to the Corridor.  
• Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. releases the results of an 18-month camera study (carried out 2017-2018) examining animal activity in the Corridor in the Spectrum V area. Results illuminate design obstacles that need to be resolved for full Corridor function. (2019)
• FivePoint hosts a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on the Central Reach of the Corridor. (2018)
• Land swaps between places the corridor land under City of Irvine ownership, with a deed restriction limiting it to wildlife corridor use only. (2015)
• The City of Irvine adopts a corridor plan for the central portion located along eastern Great Park after negotiations between the City, FivePoint housing developer, and our nonprofit coalition. FivePoint agrees to invest $13 million in the successful implementation of the Central Reach of the Corridor. (2013)
• The County designates the Alton wildlife movement corridor north of Irvine Blvd, connecting the Great Park section to the FBI-managed natural lands. This area was established as mitigation for a development project elsewhere. (2012)
• Four wildlife crossing areas planned and implemented under the 241 Tollroad allow wildlife to pass safely. 

More details on progress are provided in the web pages describing the three corridor reaches (see ‘menu’ under The Corridor).

OC Wildland Conservation Successes

Corridors work in conjunction with regional open spaces and preserved areas. Below is a snapshot of some regional conservation successes:

• Establishment of The Randall Preserve (formerly Banning Ranch) including 387 acres of lowlands and coastal bluffs located in West Newport Beach near where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific Ocean. (2022) 
• Receiving 20,000 acres of natural lands from The Irvine Company as OC wilderness parks and preserves. (2010)
• Setting aside 17,000 acres of the Rancho Mission Viejo property for conservation. (2008)
• Awarding the Irvine Ranch Lands with the national designation of “National Natural Landmark.” (2006)
• Realigning Laguna Canyon Road to allow for seven wildlife undercrossings. (2006)
• Creating the 1,300 acre Great Park for a central park critical to the linkage between the Coast and Cleveland. (2005)
• Passing Measure W allowed for the conversion of the former Marine Base at El Toro to go from an international airport to a nature park. (2002)
• Acquiring the 53 acre northern Coal Canyon parcel to complete the State’s first acquisition targeted as a wildlife corridor. (2001)
• Accepting a donation of 169 acres from The Irvine Company for lands along the Laguna Coast. (2001)
• Acquiring the 650 acre southern Coal Canyon parcel using 12 different funding sources. (2000)
• Signing the state and nation’s first Natural Community Conservation Plan and Habitat Conservation Plan that protected 38,000 acres of natural lands. (1996)
• Dedicating 4,000 acres of the Newport Coast from an Irvine Company development as open space to the County. (1994)
• Passing a local tax in Laguna Beach to create a funding source for conservation activities. (1990)
• Securing $32 million from the State to protect Crystal Cove State Park. (1978)
• Creating the Cleveland National Forest in three southern California counties. (1908)