Banning Ranch is located along the Santa Ana River where it meets the ocean.

Banning Ranch is a 401-acre area of wetlands and coastal bluffs in West Newport Beach where the Santa Ana River meets the Pacific Ocean.  It is the last large parcel of unprotected coastal open space remaining in Southern California, and is the central element of the proposed Orange Coast River Park, which, when realized, will achieve a significant linkage of open spaces and wetlands.  Banning Ranch supports a mix of coastal wetland, riparian woodland, coastal bluff sagescrub, shortgrass grassland, and vernal pool communities that are without parallel anywhere in Orange County.

At least six wildlife species listed as threatened or endangered have been documented on Banning Ranch: San Diego Fairy Shrimp, Light-footed Clapper Rail, American Peregrine Falcon, Least Bell’s Vireo, California Gnatcatcher and Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. In an era where nearly all remaining privately owned open space in Orange County is being developed, Banning Ranch is truly a gem and deserving of being called “Nature’s last stand.”

Banning Ranch Supporters, we have come a long way!

We won at the Coastal Commission with a 9-1 denial of the project.

We won at the California Supreme Court, requiring the City of Newport Beach to vacate its approvals of the development.

Our votes helped pass Prop 68!! The State Parks bond makes it possible to buy and protect Banning Ranch as open space.

The momentum to buy Banning Ranch is phenomenal. But that’s not enough. A plan is essential for the long-term sustainability of the land, the rare species and habitat.

BANNING RANCH CONSERVANCY HAS THE PLAN.

THERE’S JUST ONE MORE THING WE NEED.  YOU!!

A vital and growing membership will convince the decision makers in Sacramento that we’re ready to take this monumental step into the future.  Come with us on this important journey.

JOIN THE BANNING RANCH FAMILY TODAY!

Your commitment as a Conservancy member will help ensure that we can buy and sustain Banning Ranch as the public nature preserve and park it was always meant to be.  Together we can do this.  We can.

$1.25 million settlement reached in Newport’s Banning Ranch development dispute
The conservancy that successfully sued to block the Banning Ranch coastal development in Newport Beach will receive $1.25 million in legal fees from the developer…

The Battle Over Banning Ranch Isn’t Done.
“What’s the developer’s next move?”

Banning Ranch Conservancy wins California Supreme Court case.
“The unanimous decision was another major setback for the project, which was denied in 2016 by the California Coastal Commission.”