Conservation leaders gathered last month at Quail Hill Community Center to mark the 30th anniversary of the Nature Reserve of Orange County, a partnership that preserves miles of wild trails, scenic hills and native habitat just steps from Irvine front doors.

Created in 1996, the landmark state and federal agreement protected nearly 38,000 acres of hills and coastal land while balancing suburban development. The 75-year pact established safeguards for vulnerable native wildlife, such as the threatened coastal California gnatcatcher.

Today the reserve gives more than 3 million visitors each year access to hiking, running and biking paths.