Environmental Mitigation Program

Project contact

Marissa Espino

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, Measure M2's (M2) Environmental Mitigation Program allocates funds to acquire land and fund habitat restoration projects to offset the environmental impacts of M2 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 mespino@octa.net if you would like to be added to the database for future notifications.

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 developed for each acquired Preserve. These plans outline how the Preserves are protected, how they are managed, and addresses public access.

Preserve management