FHBP - M2 Celebration

On Saturday June 18, 2011 members of the Environmental Coalition, OCTA staff and board members, agencies and the public gathered to celebrate the incredible conservation achievements under the Orange County Transportation Authority's Environmental Mitigation Program. At the time of the celebration 898 acres had been preserved in perpetuity.

This inclusive celebration, with conservation leaders Terry Watt and Melanie Schlotterbeck shown right, was held as a way to honor the partnership, the program, and the participants in the Mitigation Program. What started in late 2005 as an idea had blossomed to an incredibly successful effort by June 2011.

Acquisitions Celebrated at the Event

Saddle Creek South (Live Oak Canyon) 84 acres
Hayashi (Brea) 296 acres
Ferber Ranch (Trabuco Canyon) 399 acres
O'Neill Oaks (Trabuco Canyon) 119 acres

Download the Conservation Celebration Program (PDF 432 KB). View photos from the event below.


OCTA CEO Will Kempton begins the celebration ceremony.	Supervisor Pat Bates relays the history of the program and what's she's learned along the way.


Supervisor Bill Campbell acknowledges how the environmental coalition's support for Renewed Measure M is what made the measure pass.	Scott Ferugson (The Conservation Fund) comments on how there has been a vision for protection in Orange County that is getting realized.


Gloria Sefton (Saddleback Canyons Conservancy) recognizes the importance of a unified voice and our partnership with OCTA.	These acquisitions wouldn't have been possible without OCTA's Angel Lin, Dan Phu, and Marissa Espino. Thank you!


Dan Silver (Endangered Habitats League), Supervisor Campbell, Will Kempton, Supervisor Bates, Melanie Schlotterbeck and Jean Watt (FHBP) get honored for their work.	Will Kempton, Supervisor Campbell, Melanie Schlotterbeck and OCTA Director Greg Winterbottom pose for a picture.


OCTA staff, contractors and conservation groups enjoyed a BBQ lunch.	Even the cake included the celebratory theme with photos of the preserved properties.


OCTA Director Winterbottom and Melanie Schlotterbeck cut the cake for the festivities.

Friends of Harbors, Beaches and Parks
P.O. Box 9256 ▪ Newport Beach, CA 92658 ▪ fhbp@fhbp.org