ABOUT THE
Randall Preserve

The Frank and Joan Randall Preserve/Genga [Tribal Name To Be Determined], formerly Banning Ranch, is a 387-acre parcel consisting of a coastal mesa and adjacent coastal lowlands and wetlands. The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MCRA) holds title to the Randall Preserve.

"A small gray and white bird, a California Gnatcatcher, perched on a branch with green leaves."

RANDALL PRESERVE
Location Map

The Randall Preserve sits within the tidal zone of the Santa Ana River at the borders of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Costa Mesa, in Orange County, California.

A close-up of a gray hairstreak butterfly perched on a green leaf.

Biodiversity on the Randall Preserve

The Randall Preserve, which includes a coastal mesa and lowlands, is closely intertwined with the estuary formed by the Santa Ana River at the Pacific Ocean.

The landscape’s primary vegetation consists of grasslands and coastal sage scrub on the mesa, while the lowlands feature disturbed scrub/forest, marshes, and mudflats. Specifically, lowland vegetation communities include disturbed mule fat scrub, alkali meadows, disturbed willow riparian forest, and salt marsh, with other types of vegetation communities making up the remainder.

Historical habitats on the property include coastal sage scrub, maritime succulent scrub, purple needlegrass grassland, transitional grassland, southern willow scrub, and a vernal pool complex. Numerous invasive species are also present, including black mustard, palm trees, Hottentot fig (ice plant), and pampas grass.

A circular framed photo of a serene wetland landscape with lush green vegetation, a calm body of water, and a partly cloudy blue sky.

A Black-crowned Night Heron perched on a branch, with a clear blue sky in the background.

Despite the challenges posed by invasive species, edge effects, and other factors, the Randall Preserve remains a vital habitat for many state and federally-listed species, such as the San Diego fairy shrimp, least Bell’s vireo, and California gnatcatcher.

The Randall Preserve is home to a diverse range of special status wildlife, including the Western burrowing owl, Cooper’s hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, northern harrier, white-tailed kite, osprey, merlin, California gull, loggerhead shrike, California horned lark, yellow-breasted chat, yellow warbler, Belding’s savannah sparrow, and coastal cactus wren. Special status plants include southern tarplant, southwestern spiny rush, California box-thorn, and woolly seablite.

Many state and federal agencies sought protection of this property because of the unique, rare, sensitive, threatened, and endangered plants and animals on it.

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Cultural History

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is currently working with an ethnographer to develop an ethnographic study.

A close-up of Artemisia californica, a native shrub of California, with dew drops on its leaves.

Aerial view of wetlands, showcasing its diverse habitats, winding waterways, and surrounding areas.

Neighboring Lands & Waters

This work supports several existing plans, including the Central-Coastal Natural Community Conservation Plan/Habitat Conservation Plan (NCCP/HCP) and Orange County Transportation Authority NCCP/HCP Study Area, and the Santa Ana River Parkway and Open Space Plan, and more.

Protecting the Randall Preserve meets goals defined in California’s Pathways to 30x30, California’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy, and the State Wildlife Action Plan. More locally, it would help advance the Southern California Wetlands Recovery Project goals, the Santa Ana River Conservancy goals, and implement the Orange Coast River Park Vision Plan, the Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks Orange Coast River Park Proposal and its Green Vision Map, and the Santa Ana River Blue Ribbon Task Force Plan.