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.”

YOU DID IT AGAIN!

2020 has been a difficult year all around.  Even so, we more than surpassed our end-of year Matching Goad of $20,000!  Thanks to your giving spirit, we are moving forward at full speed with the acquisition plan for Banning Ranch.

This is such an exciting time and we have never been more grateful for your support.  We worked side by side with hundreds of you to get this point and now we are seeing the rewards of our twenty-plus year effort.  2021 could be the year Banning Ranch becomes the Banning Ranch Park and Nature Preserve.  Let’s do it together.  Let’s make the dream a reality!

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