Committed to the Environment

Water is nature’s lifeblood, so it’s vitally important to safeguard our precious water resources to protect the environment. IRWD’s commitment to conserving the environment has its roots in our agency’s history, when we served mostly farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depended on the sustainability of our water and their land.

Today, IRWD preserves wetlands and natural habitat, partners with nurseries to promote native plants, and educates students and the public about the beauty and diversity of the region’s ecosystems. These efforts help ensure a safe and reliable water supply for our customers and work to protect the unique environment of Orange County. As an environmental steward, IRWD's collaborative partnerships with local organizations is a proactive approach to achieve mutual environmental goals.

 Partnership

The Sea and Sage Chapter of Audubon was founded in 1958 with a mission to protect birds and their habitats through conservation, science and education for people of all ages. The unique partnership between Sea and Sage Audubon and IRWD began in 1992. Sea and Sage was offered exclusive use of the Audubon House, formerly a bunk house for the duck hunting club that used the marsh for more than 60 years, in exchange for promoting education, awareness and understanding of the marsh environment.

The Sea & Sage Audubon has been an outstanding partner to IRWD. Through the years, we’ve made great strides in educating residents of Orange County. Our collaborative programs and activities are designed to increase public appreciation and awareness of the beauty and diversity of wildlife in the San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary.

 Audubon House

The Audubon House once served as a bunk house for the members of two duck clubs that operated at the San Joaquin Marsh from the 1940s until 1988. The area was once known as the old San Joaquin Gun Club complex. The permit was not renewed by the City of Irvine in 1988 as the area grew and homes were built nearby.

The old bunk house, along with the Duck Club facility, were moved to their present location from what became the Tustin Marine Base (AKA: Lighter than Air Base) in the 1940s. The duck hunters slept and kept the guns in this house. The Duck Club was used for gathering.

Today, IRWD provides the Audubon House facility to the local Sea and Sage Chapter of the National Audubon Society, an organization dedicated to teaching about birds, wildlife and conservation. The Audubon House, staffed by Sea & Sage volunteers, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and features a small giftshop, displays, free loan of binoculars, and answers to birding questions.

 Sea and Sage House

The blue house used by the Sea and Sage Audubon Society for its administrative offices, is the oldest house on the Marsh Campus. Known as the Cook House and built in 1900, this house was originally located in the middle of what is now the El Toro Marine Corps Air Station. The house was first occupied by George Cook, an industrious man who at one time leased the world's largest lima bean field (17,000 acres) from James Irvine. This house was moved to 14882 Sand Canyon Avenue in 1941 when the government established the air base. It was then moved to the Marsh in 1990.

 Sea and Sage Audubon Activities