Banning Ranch Conservancy

The mission of the Coastal Corridor Alliance is to protect biodiversity, foster community stewardship, and advocate for appropriate human access on the Randall Preserve and Santa Ana River Coastal Corridor.

After more than 20 years of being engaged in the preservation of Banning Ranch, success was achieved on December 16, 2022 when the land was purchased as a public preserve, with the title held by the joint-powers authority known as the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA). The new name of the property is the Randall Preserve, in honor of Frank and Joan Randall, whose kick starter $50 million dollar donation made the acquisition possible. In 2024, Banning Ranch Conservancy became the Coastal Corridor Alliance.

Looking ahead we are working cooperatively with MRCA and an assortment of agencies, local jurisdictions, non-profits, tribes, and neighborhood and community groups to ensure that the Randall Preserve can be enjoyed by future generations. This work includes developing a Resource Management Plan, Coastal Resilience Plan, and Public Access Plan. Additionally, in 2023, we launched a volunteer program called PEER: Partnerships, Engagement, Equity/Inclusion, and Restoration, which began a community led restoration project in Fairview Park and volunteer opportunities cleaning up trash at the mouth of the Santa Ana River. In 2024, our work expands into local disadvantaged communities to ensure residents are aware of the public processes available in the Coastal Corridor.

Our most recent achievements include:

* The creation of the PEER (Partnerships, Engagement, Equity/Inclusion, and Restoration) Program, which includes creating a volunteer corps with community members and strategic partners. This work involves monthly restoration days (3rd Saturdays) and clean up days (4th Saturdays). The goal is to engage the community now to build a volunteer base that will be able to help restore the Randall Preserve after oil remediation is complete.
* We launched the Coastal Discovery Tours which take community members out into nature to learn about the ecology and do some bird watching with experts from Sea and Sage Audubon, our partners in this program. We rotate between three parks: Fairview Park, Talbert Regional Park, and Huntington Beach Wetlands.
* Advancing the creation of a scientifically sound Resource Management Plan, Coastal Resilience Plan, and a Public Access Plan. All three of these plans will guide the future Randall Preserve. CCA was awarded a federal grant to begin the Resource Management and Coastal Resilience Planning immediately. We have successfully raised $1.8M with roughly $100,000 left to go.
* We just hired our fourth staff members to launch the CCA into a new era of conservation work.

Our most pressing needs include funding for:
1. A non-federal match for the Resource Management Plan, Coastal Resilience Strategy and Public Access Plan. There is an immediate need to plan for the study and documentation of natural resources, to identify coastal resilience and restoration opportunities, and to plan for public access on the newly acquired Randall Preserve. (Immediate Needs: $100,000 match)
2. Expanding a Volunteer Program. Last year, we created a program to inspire and educate stakeholders for a more cohesive, inclusive, & effective restoration effort along the Santa Ana River Coastal Corridor through its PEER Program. We are hosting two work days each month (4th Saturday Clean Ups and 3rd Saturday Restoration Days). (Immediate Needs: $100,000)
3. Funding a Carrying Capacity Study. The Randall Preserve and neighboring landscapes have a limit to what the land, plants, and animals can tolerate in terms of human presence and activity. This study would determine that capacity, which would inform the Resource Management Plan described above. (Immediate Needs: $75,000)
4. Launching Coastal Discovery Tours. In partnership with Sea and Sage Audubon, monthly tours will occur through a rotation of parks to introduce the community to nature and birding. We will focus on the Huntington Beach Wetlands, Fairview Park, and Talbert Regional Park. The ultimate goal is to provide positive, inclusive, bilingual experiences in our parklands that inspire participants to engage in the outdoors. (Immediate Needs: $50,000)
5. Assisting with Stewardship and Maintenance. The Randall Preserve is managed in the short term by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. The Conservancy will play a pivotal role in assisting the Authority with its stewardship obligations even while remediation occurs. (Immediate Needs: $10,000,000)

Orange County

We are especially excited to enter the next phase for the Randall Preserve, which includes park planning. While the most difficult part (acquisition) is behind us, the future will require continued hard work and dedication. This is a multigenerational effort in every sense of the word and we are bound and determined to see that the Randall Preserve is one of the greatest success stories in the history of Southern California coastal parks.