1897
The Irvine Company makes first public land donation: 304 acres for Irvine Regional Park formerly known as "the picnic grounds."
Early 1960s
Master planning begins; 11% of ranch planned as open space.
1979
Company sells land to state to create 2,791-acre Crystal Cove State Park.
1982
A Landmark Agreement - more than 7,300 acres preserved through Newport Coast dedication.
1988
Irvine Open Space Initiative approved by residents. Adds 10,000 acres to city's open space network.
1989
Working with the City of Anaheim, company identifies 3,436 acres in Weir and Gypsum canyons for preservation.
1989
Company preserves 2,500 acres in Limestone Canyon.
1989
Company donates 114 acres in Westbay. Protects habitat at 752-acre Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve.
1990
The Nature Conservancy and the Irvine Company team to create stewardship plan that combines restoration with increased public access.
1991
Working with the City of Laguna Beach, the county, environmental groups and community leaders, the Irvine Company arranges for city to purchase Laguna Laurel.
1991
Irvine Ranch site of first local government-led Natural Community Plan Conservation (NCCP), a national and state model for state-of-the-art habitat conservation planning.
1992
Company donates 377 acres to county to create Peters Canyon Regional Park.
1996
The Nature Reserve of Orange County is formed; company contributes 21,000 of its 37,000 acres.
2001
Irvine Company Chairman Donald Bren donates 11,000 acres of additional open space lands. Half of 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch now permanent open space.
2001
$30 million Bren Stewardship Fund established for long-term management, restoration of natural resources, increased public access to open space.
2002
Irvine Company dedicates 2,200-acre Bommer Canyon to the City of Irvine.
2003
Vision for Jeffrey Open Space Trail unveiled. Irvine residents work with company and city planners to design 5-mile trail connecting city's north and south open space.
2004
More than 40 miles of new trails opened for public access on Irvine Ranch since major land gift in 2001.
2005
The Nature Conservancy honors Chairman Donald Bren for his vision and stewardship of open space in Orange County.
2005
22-mile Mountains to Sea Trail traverses the historic Irvine Ranch and opens to the public.
2006
Irvine Company dedicates Quail Hill to the City of Irvine.
2006
37,000 acres of Irvine Ranch land receive prestigious "National Natural Landmark" designation from U.S Department of Interior.
2006
First segment of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail opens to the public.
2007
Back Bay Loop Trail completed.
2008
Irvine Ranch lands designated the first-ever California Natural Landmark under a new state program.
2010
Irvine Company Chairman Donald Bren signs a deed, signaling the transfer of the final 20,000 acres of open space to the public ownership.
2014
Chairman Donald Bren guides Irvine Company’s gift of 2,500 additional acres, permanently preserving 57,000 acres, or nearly 60% of the 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch.