On Saturday evening, November 2nd, the Banning Ranch Conservancy celebrated the 20th anniversary of the effort to save Banning Ranch at a Newport Beach gala. At the gala, the Conservancy honored the founders of the movement, as well as many others who have greatly contributed to the effort to save the 401-acre Banning Ranch as a public open space, park and coastal nature preserve.

 

Paolo Perrone of Trust for Public Land (TPL), a private non-profit that preserves land for people, informed those in attendance that TPL has been in negotiation with the Banning Ranch ownership group concerning the possible sale of the property.  Significant progress is being made.

The Conservancy has also partnered with a group of renowned designers, planners, architects, and engineers to realize their vision for the future of Banning Ranch. In the near future, the Conservancy will hold workshops and town hall meetings to display their work and seek comments and suggestions from the public.

Also during the gala, Frank and Joann Randall, a Newport Beach couple known for their contributions supporting environmental organizations and open space preservation, announced a new donation of $50 million dollars to acquire Banning Ranch and open it to the public as a permanent public open space, park and coastal nature preserve.

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