Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Honors Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Stewardship Program with Top Environmental Award

The Irvine Company, The Nature Conservancy and Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust are Honored for Creation and Ongoing Stewardship of Spectacular 50,000-Acre Reserve in the Heart of Orange County

Sacramento, Calif.—November 23, 2005—The ongoing conservation stewardship of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve was recognized last night with one of the highest and most prestigious environmental awards conferred annually by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on behalf of the State of California.

During the annual Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards ceremony, a prestigious California Environmental Protection Agency award was presented jointly to The Irvine Company, The Nature Conservancy of California and the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust. They received their honor in the Ecosystem and Watershed Stewardship category in recognition of their creation and ongoing stewardship of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Stewardship Program.

The award was one of several top environmental awards presented by the state this year in seven different categories. Administered by the California Environmental Protection Agency and Resources Agency, in partnership with the State and Consumer Services Agency, the program recognizes individuals, organizations and businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable contributions in conserving California’s precious resources, protecting and enhancing the state’s environment, and building public-private partnerships.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve comprises more than 50,000 acres of permanently preserved wildlands, parks and trails on the historic 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch in the heart of Orange County.

“If you haven’t visited the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve yet, make the time,” said Secretary for Resources Mike Chrisman. “It is an environmental and recreational treasure right in the center of Southern California’s urban metropolis. Through their ongoing efforts, The Irvine Company, The Nature Conservancy and the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust are showing California and the nation how the private and public sectors can work together to preserve our natural heritage for us, for our children, and for our grandchildren.”

“We are deeply honored to receive this significant recognition from the governor on behalf of the State of California,” said Dan Young, executive vice president of The Irvine Company. “The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve represents a remarkable collaboration over many years between our company and government, community and environmental organizations who have shared a determination to create a national treasure here that sets the highest standards for conservation stewardship and public access. This award validates the collective efforts that have created a spectacular natural and recreational resource.”

Located within 30 minutes of more than four million people, the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve stretches from the mountains to the sea in central Orange County and covers more than 145 square miles. It captures and protects the historic beauty and natural diversity of Southern California. The Reserve contains parks, beaches, permanently protected open space, habitats and wildlands set aside over the years for the enjoyment of citizens of Orange County, California and the world. It includes renowned areas such as Limestone Canyon, Crystal Cove State Park, Fremont Canyon, Round Canyon, Upper Newport Bay and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

The Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Stewardship Program was initiated in 1990 by The Irvine Company and The Nature Conservancy as part of an ambitious vision for protecting the natural resources and providing public enjoyment of the Reserve. The program includes an aggressive and innovative adaptive management strategy that has been implemented by The Nature Conservancy and is now assisted by the Trust, a non-profit organization established earlier this year by Irvine Company Chairman Donald Bren.

“A strong partnership like ours allows the beautiful open space on the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve to not only survive, but to flourish in perpetuity,” Mike O’Connell, executive director of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve Trust, said. “At the same time, the partnership serves as a conservation and recreation model for public agencies, non-governmental organizations and private enterprise who likewise are concerned about protecting our natural heritage and ensuring they are available for the public’s education and enjoyment.”

The Trust has sought out and forged long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships with the Reserve’s various landowners and managers, providing representation from the numerous and diverse stakeholders. While the program’s goals are long-term, it has already achieved measurable results and is quickly becoming a model for ecosystem conservation in an urban environment.

As principal manager of much of the Reserve’s wildlands, The Nature Conservancy conducts ongoing studies of the Reserve’s natural plant and animal life and guides restoration programs to ensure their long-term survival. Recent accomplishments include the removal of exotic and invasive plants on 5,000 acres; the completion of a bobcat movement and wildlife corridor study and the adoption of strategies with local fire agencies to manage wildfire in an ecologically sustainable manner.

“The Nature Conservancy believes that long-term conservation success can only come about through strong partnerships and sound science,” said Mark Burget, executive director of The Nature Conservancy of California. “The size and remarkable natural diversity of the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve affords us unique opportunities to explore and refine a variety of evolving conservation tools. For this work to receive such distinguished recognition is deeply gratifying and will likely prove invaluable in promoting the wider use of such innovative management strategies for the protection of California’s natural riches for future generations.”

The public is invited to explore the Irvine Ranch Land Reserve through guided tours led by The Nature Conservancy. To learn more visit www.irvineranchlandreserve.org.