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It is through people that the flowers in Laguna Canyon continue to bloom.
Whether it’s through the educational hikes that still happen to this day or past activism by public space advocates, residents can step foot to witness the beauty of the canyons.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Encelia californica or commonly known as the California coast sunflower create a habitat for Monarch and Bordered Patch butterflies. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Editor’s note: This is an occasional series where Voice of OC works with local community photographers to offer residents a first-hand look at the local sites and scenes of Orange County.
Community groups like The Laguna Canyon Foundation, whose mission is protecting open space, lead hikes that explore the history of the canyons and the flowers that bloom.
Shelbi Richardson in Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Richardson takes time to explain key wildflower species throughout the hike. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
OC naturalists taught visitors how to identify wildflowers and understand their ecological importance in the ecosystem.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. One of the key ways in identifying wildflowers, is by using one’s senses. An example is the Sticky Monkey Flower has smooth and sticky leaves with trumpet shaped petals. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
The 22,000-acre South Coast Wilderness was at one point the site of local community activism.
In 1989, the Laguna Canyon Foundation was created to facilitate open space preceding the March to Save Laguna Canyon, where locals protested against the 2150-acre housing and shopping development. The march began in the heart of Laguna Beach, all the way to a 636 foot art installation, known as The Tell, created by Mark Chamberlain and Jerry Burchfield.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Open space includes; Laguna Coast Park, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Crystal Cove State Park, Irvine, Laguna Woods, and Laguna Beach. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
It is through the march that the land was not used for commercial purposes.
The land meant something to locals beyond keeping it alive for commercial purposes.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. In order for the Laguna Canyon Foundation to continue their mission; to preserve and promote the open space of Southern California, the volunteers give their time and energy to pursue this vision. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
“The land was ready to be bulldozed,” says David Heuer, a volunteer who has been restoring the open space for fifteen years.
Christie Kjellman in Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Kjellman listens to volunteer, David Heuer educating hike participants on the Laguna Greenbelt. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Taxpayers paid 20 million dollars in taxes which would go directly to preserving the open space.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Laguna Canyon Foundation has events ranging from wildflower hikes to a native plant nursery volunteer day. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
“James Dilley, a man from England was inspired by the open space in his homeland to find a way to preserve the natural beauty in Southern California,” says Shelbi Richardson, an OC Park Naturalist who pays homage to past activist through his work at the center.
Shelbi Richardson in Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Richardson gives an abundance of information on various hikes she leads, providing knowledge about open space to the public. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
In early spring, Shelbi Richardson, one of the Park Naturalists, led a group of locals to showcase some of the key ecological figures in the ecosystem–wildflowers, Bush Flowers to Owl’s Clover are a few of the local wildflowers that offer benefits through pollination to other species, like bees and butterflies.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Owl’s Clover grows up to 16’’ and posses a variety of magenta petals with white tips. The petals are compared to owls sitting on the flowers head. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Wildflower blooms were in full display this year in late March to April. Occasionally, there are super blooms which is a rare event when a massive amount of flowers bloom due to high precipitation after a period of drought. “Southern California is a biodiversity hotspot- this particular ecosystem is only found in 2% of the world,” says Richardson.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Hikers are given a wildflower brochure to help them identify wildflowers. This is one of the many ways the Laguna Canyon Foundation advocates for the education of wildlife. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Unfortunately, there are invasive species that rule out wildflowers by taking up space for them to thrive, says Shelbi Richardson.
The Red-Stemmed Stork’s Bill, a common invasive species found in Southern California, has a root shaped drill to dig in the soil. It is an adaptation in order to stick into the ground, that makes it difficult to get rid of.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Invasive species take over ecosystems, at times to a fault. They have particular adaptations that make them difficult to get rid of. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Not only do invasive species ruin habitats, but also humans.
The California gnatcatcher, a native bird, likes to immerse itself in coastal sage scrub growth. It is an endangered species due to habitat loss, partly caused by human interference.
Adele Heuer in Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Laguna Canyon Foundation continues to prioritize open space through education. Such as the creation of the stewardship and Title 1 school program. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
The Laguna Canyon Foundation and community leaders aim to promote nature to the public.
Together, the foundation and its volunteers foster a mission of preserving the natural beauty Southern California has to offer.
Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The Owl’s Clover grows up to 16’’ and posses a variety of magenta petals with white tips. The petals are compared to owls sitting on the flowers head. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
