Laguna Canyon Foundation

We are the stewards of Laguna Canyon, advocating for our open space as the leading organization for education, public outreach, habitat restoration and trailwork in the canyons. We are the bridge between the open space and the surrounding world.

Laguna Canyon Foundation is dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing and promoting the 22,000-acre South Coast Wilderness.

Following the historic November 1989 March to Save Laguna Canyon and the passage of the twenty-million-dollar bond measure by Laguna Beach voters in November 1990, Laguna Canyon Foundation was formed to facilitate the acquisition of open space.

We had one mission: to negotiate with the Irvine Company to purchase the open space they had agreed to sell. We partnered with OC Parks and the City of Laguna Beach to make sure these lands would remain in public hands, leading to the creation of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park in 1990 and Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in 1993. This land acquisition work continues today.

In 2007, we began transitioning our mission from one of land acquisition to one of conservation and education, beginning our Title I school program, our volunteer program that connects over 130 dedicated individuals with OC Parks, and our stewardship program that improves the land in which we work. Our trail program launched in 2014, and we began partnering with the City of Laguna Beach on fuel modification work in 2015.

Our wilderness gives us so much. Over the past few years, many of us have sought peace and solace in some of the last remaining Coastal Sage Scrub habitat left in the world. But our hillsides and canyons need our help to stay wild, accessible, and healthy. Please protect the land you love by joining us today! 

Whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a hiker, or simply love the views of our wilderness, your contribution will help to:  

-Maintain sustainable trails for continuous, safe access to wilderness for visitors.
-Restore endangered habitats for our threatened wildlife 
-Protect native butterflies, birds, and other animal species 
-Provide hands-on, science-based, outdoor education to under-resourced school children 
-Lead volunteer programs which allow individuals and groups to connect and give back to nature.
-Inspire your friends and neighbors to protect our open space for generations to come.  

Long-Term Volunteer Support: We are always in need of volunteers as Wilderness Access Volunteers, hike and program leaders, back country patrollers, and more. Long-term volunteers participate in CPR training and LCF and OC Parks' volunteer orientation training.

Short-Term Volunteer Support: We have multiple volunteer events throughout the month open to all community members. Participants can choose from trail work and habitat restoration activities. These stewardship events are posted on our website's events page.

Donations: Individual donations fund the backbone of our mission. Donations go to where it is needed most and help fund the programs that protect and preserve our canyons. Donations can be made on our website or through our OCCF Nonprofit Central profile.

Grants: Foundation, corporate, government, and individual grants go directly to fund specific projects and programs.

Laguna Canyon Foundation is a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving, protecting, enhancing, and promoting the South Coast Wilderness. Located in south Orange County, California, the 22,000-acre wilderness area includes Laguna Coast and Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Parks, Crystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space Preserve.

As the Executive Director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, I am honored to share the unique and deeply valued wilderness found in and around Laguna Canyon. Nestled in the heart of the South Coast Wilderness, this critically important biodiverse landscape is not just a haven for diverse wildlife and rare plant species but also a cherished natural resource that inspires and rejuvenates all who experience it. The South Coast Wilderness is a jewel found within one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the country, rich in both natural beauty and ecological importance, serving as a critical refuge for countless threatened and endangered species.

Laguna Canyon stands as a reminder of the importance of the natural world amidst the challenges of urbanization and environmental change. Despite the pressures of growth and development, Laguna Canyon Foundation’s efforts have ensured that this ecological treasure remains a sanctuary of unparalleled beauty and diversity. It is a testament to the resilience of nature and the power of our community, reflecting our shared commitment to preserving these precious landscapes for future generations.

We are dedicated to the conservation and ongoing protection of the South Coast Wilderness. By continuing to protect and celebrate Laguna Canyon’s unique ecological and cultural heritage, we not only safeguard its stunning natural resources but also inspire a deeper connection between people and nature. Together, we can ensure that this remarkable place continues to thrive as a source of wonder and inspiration for all who visit, cherish, and call it home.

Karin Vardaman
Executive Director of Laguna Canyon Foundation

As a lifelong Laguna Beach resident I am quite protective of our treasured open space and that is why I joined the Laguna Canyon Foundation Board of Directors. The Laguna Canyon Foundation does an amazing job protecting, restoring and maintaining the 22,000 acres of the South Coast Wilderness area. Managed and supported by various government and nonprofit entities, these areas link to form almost 30 square miles of critical wildlife habitat.

This precious open space provides a rare and valuable refuge for those seeking its treasured natural beauty as well as the critters that call this area home. Laguna Canyon Foundation's programs that educate youth, maintain trails, restore native lands and essential to preserve the area.

This is an incredible resource that we need to protect for future generations and that is why I serve on the Board of the Laguna Canyon Foundation. If we don't protect it who will?

- Michelle Kremer, Board President