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.”

LET’S SAVE BANNING RANCH FOREVER!

Another huge step for Banning Ranch supporters! As you may know, we stopped the Newport Banning Ranch development at the Coastal Commission and in the courts—and that was just the beginning. At the Conservancy’s 20th Anniversary Gala, the $50 million gift from Frank and Joan Randall made the dream of purchasing the land a near certain reality.

Despite these milestones, the City of Newport Beach put Banning Ranch on the list of possible sites to be zoned for new development! When will it stop?

The $50 million gift the Conservancy received is for acquisition only. Funding for operations is now urgently needed to reach an agreement to buy the land and put an end to the speculation.

Fortunately, two legacy donors have agreed to match every dollar donated up to a total of $15,000!!

DONATE TO SAVE BANNING RANCH!

Please make a special year-end donation of $50, $100, or whatever you can afford.

Remember, every dollar you donate up to $15,000 will be doubled.

Thank you for your donation of any size—and Happy Holidays from the Banning Ranch Conservancy!

Large Donation Helps Fund Bid for Banning Ranch

Jan 2, 2020. Steve Ray and Frank Randall were recently interviewed by Spectrum News 1 and their interview is currently in rotation on that channel. Spectrum doesn’t list interview guests or show times on their Guide, but you can catch it by taping one of their news segments. You can also click on the link above to watch the interview on your computer. Enjoy!

UN Report: Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’

Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating.’ One million species threatened with extinction.

An Historic Win for California’s Coast and Ocean

The passage of Proposition 68 shows that voters can and will unite to preserve our future and natural resources