Twenty years ago, RMV was at the forefront of a movement by local landowners and government agencies to balance the conservation and protection of the state’s wildlife with appropriate development and growth. The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and the developing community of Rancho Mission Viejo are an outcome of that movement.

The process to get to this outcome was not without its challenges. Vigorous debates with agencies such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, the County of Orange, local cities, concerned citizens and environmental organizations took place over many months on such questions as: How much land should be conserved? How much designated for development? Which land should be preserved? What species should be addressed in the plan? Reams of paper documented the answers.

RMV listened carefully to these many voices, refined its habitat reserve design and development plan to what is approved today.  The plan is better because of the rigorous approval process. As we celebrate our 20 year anniversary, we thank those that cared about the land back then and those that care today. We look forward to meeting those who will care about it in the future.

SOUTHERN SUBREGION HABITAT CONSERVATION MAP