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.”

$11 Million Award to Permanently Protect Banning Ranch 

The Banning Ranch Conservancy is thrilled to announce that the Banning Ranch acquisition is a major step closer to reaching the purchase price.

On September 29, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced an $11 million grant award for Banning Ranch using Section 6 funds. Through the Department of the Interior these Section 6 – Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund dollars are available for properties with federally listed threatened and endangered species.

View the Conservancy’s Press Release to learn more.

Many thanks to all the funders who believe in the preservation of this property. Every grant awarded brings this acquisition closer to the $97 million appraised value.

Thanks to all our supporters for their donations, volunteerism, and hard work achieving our mission. We couldn’t do this work without your generosity!

Bell’s Vireo

 $11 Million Award to Permanently Protect Banning Ranch 

 September 28, 2021. Newport Beach, California—The preservation of the Banning Ranch property is one step closer to its funding goal now that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),  Read More…

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