The Coastal Corridor Alliance (CCA) unveils progress for Randall Preserve
The Coastal Corridor Alliance (CCA) unveiled progress on plans for the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve in Newport Beach, one of Orange County’s most significant coastal preservation areas, at a recent event hosted by the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) that drew community leaders, environmental advocates and philanthropists.
The remarkable 387.6-acre parcel of coastal mesa and adjacent coastal lowlands and wetlands is home to rare coastal habitats and diverse wildlife.
In August, the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) approved the Property Management Plan for the preserve.
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Photos courtesy of Orange County Community Foundation
OCCF’s funding of $190,000 over five years supported community engagement and planning efforts for future uses of the Randall Preserve, including protection, restoration and mapping of native habitat, as well as endangered species monitoring
The Coastal Conservancy Alliance (CCA) Board of Directors recently approved plans for $2.4 million in fundraising campaigns for the following Frank and Joan Randall Preserve projects:
–A unified visitor experience.
–Habitat restoration planning.
–A vision plan for long-term protection, preservation and stewardship.
–Interpretive center for the public.
–A native plant nursery for habitat restoration.
“Many additional plans and studies are needed to prepare the preserve for public access,” said Melanie Schlotterbeck, stewardship consultant for the CCA. “Public access will be unveiled in phases. As every trail opens, there will be before-and-after surveys to determine impact.”
Schlotterbeck said the next round of studies and planning will be more specific and will include habitat and species studies (birds, plants, vernal pools, wetlands, restoration, etc.) and a study on a unified visitor experience. Plans include an interpretive center where the public can learn about the preserve before they go on the trails.
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Plans for the Randall Preserve include a unified visitor experience, habitat restoration, long-term protection, preservation and stewardship, an interpretive center for the public, a native plant nursery for habitat restoration and more
Milestones at the Randall Preserve since last year include kicking off the Wetland Restoration Feasibility Study, which looks at both short- and medium-term tidal restoration; delineating 5.2 miles of trails and receiving funding for vernal pool studies.
Formerly known as Banning Ranch, the parcel at the borders of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa was preserved through the collaborative efforts of OCCF, the Trust for Public Land and the Banning Ranch Conservancy. OCCF’s funding of $190,000 over five years supported community engagement and planning efforts for future uses of the Randall Preserve, including protection, restoration and mapping of native habitat, as well as endangered species monitoring. Other current Randall Preserve nonprofit funders include National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the Wildlife Conservation Board.
“We are proud to continue supporting efforts that help protect and restore our Orange County coastline and unique ecosystems,” said Shelley Hoss, CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “Now more than ever, it is important for all of us to come together and ensure that our natural resources can be enjoyed for generations to come.”
