Since 1882, our family has been blessed to own what today is known as Rancho Mission Viejo, a 23,000-acre cattle ranch and operation in Southeast Orange County, California. We've worked hard to keep our ranch in family hands and to maintain its heritage for generations to come.

In 1991, we began the process of creating a long-term comprehensive open space protection/management and land use plan for the Ranch. This blueprint for the future became know as The Ranch Plan, a binding document created in partnership with the County of Orange, state and federal wildlife protection agencies, and our neighbors in South Orange County. In November 2004, The Ranch Plan was approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors with a unanimous vote of support. In August 2005, a settlement was reached with five conservation organizations to increase the protected open space and habitat from 66 percent to almost 75 percent, decrease development area on the Ranch by 25 percent, help ensure the protection of key watersheds and retain our family's cattle ranching and farming operations. And, in 2007, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service added the Ranch's open space to its 32,818-acre Habitat Conservation Plan.

Although additional review and approvals lie ahead before the first homes on the Ranch are available for sale, The Ranch Plan now allows ranching and farming to continue, preserves nearly three-fourths (75%) of Rancho Mission Viejo as natural open space and sensitive habitat, and protects the local quality of life through thoughtful development phased over 20 to 25 years to accommodate and help manage the region's progress.

My family and I invite you to stay informed about The Ranch Plan and our efforts to protect open space, keep ranching and farming alive, and create new neighborhoods for the people of Orange County. Please feel free to subscribe to our email list at left and we'll keep in contact.

Sincerely,