Three groups for land’s sake

When it seems like developments are popping up everywhere and the

concrete jungle is closing in on us, it’s a good time to recall the

work of three groups that make our lives immeasurably better.

Even if you don’t get out to the trails too often, you can

appreciate the work of Laguna Greenbelt Inc., the Laguna Canyon

Foundation and the Laguna Canyon Conservancy.

There are large open spaces all around Laguna that were fought for

or are maintained by these nonprofit groups. The most recent

addition, the Moro Ridge Link, is 10 acres of land donated by the

Irvine Co.

There are plenty of people in town who know all about these

groups, but for those with a more cursory knowledge, here’s a short

explanation of their work:

Laguna Greenbelt was founded in 1968 and is responsible for

volunteer training and stewardship in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

The Laguna Canyon Conservancy was founded in the mid-1980s with

the goal to preserve Laguna Canyon from massive grading, realignment

of Laguna Canyon Road, the San Joaquin Transportation Corridor and

the Irvine Co.’s Laguna Laurel development.

And then there’s the Laguna Canyon Foundation. That group was

founded in 1990 to assist in acquiring land in Laguna Canyon. The

group has directors who represent Laguna Greenbelt, Laguna Canyon

Conservancy, Village Laguna and the city of Laguna Beach. There are

also board members who represent nearby cities and environmental

groups.

The foundation’s mission is to raise funds to preserve, protect

and enhance Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.

These groups watch over 17,000 acres of parkland: Laguna Coast

Wilderness Park; Crystal Cove State Park; and Aliso and Wood Canyons

Wilderness Park; as well as open space in Laguna Beach, Irvine and

Laguna Woods.

Of course, it helps the cause when the community plays a

supportive role. For example, in 1990, residents voted in favor of a

$20-million bond measure for Laguna Laurel preservation. It was

approved by nearly 80% of the voters and led to four of five Laguna

Laurel options being purchased for $45 million.

It also helps that major developer Don Bren of the Irvine Co. has

given much land to the greenbelt.

He donated 11,000 acres in 2001. He was also involved in the

purchase of land that would later become Laguna Coast Wilderness Park

in 1990. Most recently, the Irvine Co. gave the 10 acres of land that

will act as a corridor between the Cleveland National Forest and

South Coast Wilderness area -- a link necessary for wild animals like

mountain lions to be able to access enough open space to live

properly.