Twenty years ago, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a plan to permanently conserve over 32,000 acres in South Orange County.  These lands are comprised of The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo and three Orange County parks: O’Neill Regional Park, Caspers Wilderness Park and Riley Wilderness Park that all together make up the Southern Subregion Habitat Reserve.

Each park contributes important functions to the habitat reserve including intact undisturbed habitat for local wildlife and connectivity to adjacent protected lands such as The Nature Reserve and the Cleveland National Forest. Caspers Wilderness Park makes up the majority of the adjoining land and provides over 8,000 acres of land for large animals, such as deer and mountain lions, the range they need to survive. O'Neill Regional Park provides more than 3,300 acres of dense woodland with coast live oak and sycamore trees, as well as important riparian habitat. The smallest of the parks, Riley Wilderness Park in Coto de Caza, provides another woodland corridor along with coastal sage scrub habitat.

The plan protects specific animal and plant species, by protecting the habitats they live in. This “umbrella approach” ensures that the endangered and sensitive species’ habitats are protected but also helps the other more common wildlife that share these habitats thereby making a resilient, biodiverse ecosystem. Contiguous wild spaces also reduce human – wildlife conflicts, such as animals needing to cross streets and highways to find food or mates, making it safer for wildlife and humans.

These open spaces provide wildlife with habitats they need and the opportunity for people to connect to natural Orange County lands. To enjoy these beautiful places, visit any of the three OC Parks during open hours or join The Nature Reserve for an Event soon. All three parks have day use areas with open hiking trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and nature centers. O’Neill and Caspers Parks offer overnight camping perfect for local overnight adventures. Visit OC Parks website or The Nature Reserve Events to discover the wonders of nature soon.