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Environmental Mitigation Program

Project contact
Marissa Espino, Community Relations Officer
(714) 560-5607 | mespino@octa.net
Land Preservation in Orange County
Acquired properties to permanently preserve as open space. Funded restoration projects to restore preserved open space lands to their native habitat.

Wilderness Preservation


Working in collaboration with the State and Federal wildlife agencies, OC Go’s Environmental Mitigation Program allocates funds to acquire land and fund habitat restoration projects to offset the environmental impacts of OC Go freeway projects.

This Program represents the culmination of years of collaboration and support of environmental communities.

In November 2010, the Board allocated $42 million to purchase open space in Orange County. To date, OCTA has acquired more than 1,300 acres in Brea, Laguna Beach, Silverado Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon. Collectively named the Preserves.

Additionally, a total of 12 restoration projects have been funded throughout Orange County. Approximately $10 million has been allocated to restore about 350 acres of open space land.

Together, this effort ensures 13 sensitive species are protected in their native habitat.

An endowment has been established to pay for the long-term management of the Preserves. Additional preserve acquisitions will be dependent on the sales tax revenue stream and a fully funded endowment, which is estimated by 2030.


Call for Projects


There are no call for projects anticipated at this time. Please contact Marissa Espino at 714-560-5607 if you would like to be added to the database for future notifications.
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Quick Facts

1,300
Acres acquired
12
Restoration projects funded
$10M
Allocated to restore 350 acres of open space land

Preserve Management

Managing, protecting and monitoring OCTA’s Preserves occurs on a regular basis.

A conservation plan developed to protect the natural habitat and wildlife on OCTA’s Preserves was finalized in spring 2017. In conjunction with the conservation plan, Resources Management Plans (RMP) were being developed for each acquired Preserve. These plans outline how the Preserves are protected, how they are managed, and addresses public access.

RMPs for the Trabuco Rose, Wren’s View, Live Oak Creek, and Bobcat Ridge Preserves were finalized in late 2017.

Preserve management

Fact Sheets

Bobcat Ridge Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Eagle Ridge Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Live Oak Creek Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Pacific Horizon Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Silverado Chapparral Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Trabuco Rose Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Wren's View Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Freeway Mitigation Program Fact Sheet
Download PDF

Restoration Project Fact Sheet

Coming soon

Documents & Reports