OCTA officials joined hikers, cyclists and horseback riders at the OC Parks Wilderness Celebration at Black Star Canyon on Saturday to commemorate the third anniversary of the Irvine Ranch Open Space.
OCTA Board Director and Orange County District Supervisor Todd Spitzer welcomed attendees and expressed the importance of good stewardship and the value of preservation of open space lands. In addition, staff participated in the event's community partner fair to educate attendees about OCTA and the Measure M2 Freeway Environmental Mitigation Program. This program allocates funds to acquire land and fund habitat restoration projects in exchange for streamlined project approvals for the 13 M2 freeway improvement projects.
At the event, staff also distributed fliers that promote OCTA's first-ever wilderness preserve tour. The guided tour, taking place this fall, will be an opportunity for the public to explore the 399-acre former Ferber Ranch property that was acquired by OCTA in 2011.
To date, OCTA has acquired more than 950 acres of land in the Trabuco Canyon area and in Brea to preserve as permanent open space. Eleven restoration projects also were funded throughout Orange County and will aid in removing invasive plant species and restoring approximately 388 acres of open space lands to its native habitat.
Learn more at www.octa.net/environmental.