The iconic wooden windmill that has greeted visitors to IRWD’s Michelson Water Recycling Plant since 1988 has a long and storied past.Visitors driving past the plant are probably not aware that what they are seeing is not the rustic structure that sat there for 20 years, but rather a wooden tower and wheel erected in 2009 that looks very much like the original.  The wind vane is the only piece of equipment that has survived the rigors of time. The original windmill was probably built between 1916 and 1932 by Aermotor Windmills of San Antonio, Texas. It was one of about 1,200 such windmills that dotted the vast Irvine Ranch before modern water pumping devices were available. All but a few had fallen to progress over the years.
 
In the late 1970s, the windmill became a landmark at the old Irvine Ranch Market on Myford Road and the Interstate 5 freeway in Irvine. The windmill’s fate was in jeopardy when the market was bulldozed in 1983 to make way for the realignment of the road. That’s when IRWD stepped in to preserve the windmill as part of the area’s water history. Long-time Irvine Ranch employee Jim Olson, first moved the windmill to an IRWD storage yard at the recycling plant and then to its permanent home in front of the facility in 1988. Interestingly enough, the windmill was once again moved by Olson, who by then was working at IRWD as the construction and repair manager. In 2005, the windmill was dedicated to Olson, who passed away in 2002. A monument sits at the base of the windmill, with a plaque telling its story. In March 2008, the windmill was damaged during high winds. An IRWD employee discovered blades dangling from the wheel and others lying on the ground. Two days later, the 600-pound wheel was removed while IRWD officials pondered whether to fix the vintage structure or replace it.
 
Ultimately, the old wooden tower made the decision to retire. It was riddled with dry rot and deemed structurally unsafe to support a new wheel, so it was demolished. Rock Ridge Windmills, based in Cloverdale, California, provided the new wooden tower and wheel mechanism. A year later, the windmill was reborn with a combination of old and new parts, in keeping with the historical spirit of the original. The windmill, located at the entrance to IRWD’s Michelson Water Reclamation Plant on Riparian View Road, can be seen by visitors coming to the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Campus. 

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.

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.

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.

Audubon offers public tours of the marsh, educational programs, and volunteer opportunities for nature lovers, birders and students of all ages. Programs and activities are designed to increase public appreciation and awareness of the beauty and diversity of wildlife in the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. Each year, more than 2,000 elementary school children visit the sanctuary for the Outdoor Adventures Science Discovery Program and approximately 12,000 marsh visitors and bird watchers visit the site. The San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary is recognized as a premiere birding site.

For more information, contact the Sea and Sage Audubon Society at 949-261-7963.

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.

Monthly General Meeting & Program - 3^rd Friday evening, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Duck Club in the IRWD San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary. See website for meeting information.

Monthly Bird Walks at the Marsh - 2^nd Sunday morning of each month, 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet in front of Audubon House. Directions & information.

Monthly Nature Walks at the Marsh – 1^st Saturday morning of each month, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary. Meet in front of Audubon House. Directions & information.

Visit the San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary - Sea and Sage Audubon House, located at the IRWD San Joaquin Wildlife Sanctuary, is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week. There is a small natural history museum, bookstore, gift shop, a large flat-screen monitor showing beautiful photos of the sanctuary and its wildlife, as well as free loan of binoculars, free trail maps and bird lists. A volunteer is on duty every day to answer questions.

Audubon House Volunteers Needed. Answer phones, greet guests, and staff Audubon House. Shifts are four hours once a week or month. If you're interested, please call the Audubon House at 949-261-7963.

Calling all Nature Lovers and Retired Teachers: Teaching effectively is a skill that takes many years to develop, but sharing a love of nature can be done by anyone. We are currently looking for special individuals who are willing to teach effectively and share nature with school children in the beautiful setting of a wetland habitat for our outdoor science program for elementary school children. Website information.

Become a member of the National Audubon Society and the Sea and Sage Audubon Chapter. For more information visit their website or call the Audubon House at 949-261-7963.

The IRWD historic Duck Club was originally home to two duck hunting clubs, which were still in operation when IRWD built the Michelson Water Recycling Plant in 1966. Both the Ricker-McHone and Old San Joaquin Duck clubs operated under permits from the Department of Fish and Game and the City of Irvine until 1988 when the city chose not to renew the permit in light of the rapidly developing residential community in the area.

The Duck Club was originally located on the former Tustin Marine Base (AKA: Lighter than Air Base) and moved to its current location in the 1940s when the Marine base was built. IRWD took over ownership of the Duck Club in 1992.

While the Audubon House served as the old bunk house for the two hunting clubs, the Duck Club was used as a gathering place for the hunters. They would build a roaring fire in the fireplace and share stories over dinner. The next day they would head out early in the morning to hunt.

Over the years, IRWD added a new front porch on the main Duck Club house with a double door entrance and an enclosed porch off the living room facing south. In 2005, the building was again expanded to its present configuration. IRWD provides the Duck Club as a Meeting Room free of charge to non-profit organizations within our service area.

The IRWD Visitors Center at the Irvine Ranch Marsh House, a relocated and refurbished 1920s-era farmhouse, sits near the center of IRWD's San Joaquin Marsh Campus. You are welcome to stop by and treat yourself to an informative self-guided tour of our inviting displays inside the Marsh House. Exhibits and topics include:

• How the San Joaquin Marsh functions as a natural treatment system while also serving as a vital habitat resource.
• The importance of water conservation and environmental awareness in controlling urban runoff, a leading cause of coastal ocean pollution.
• Where your water comes from.
• IRWD's historical milestones.  

The IRWD Visitors Center at Marsh House is open to the public seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

For further information, call the IRWD Public Affairs department, 949-453-5500.