In 1950, The Ranch family dedicated 278 acres of Rancho Mission Viejo to the County of Orange for the creation of O'Neill Regional Park, beginning a tradition of open space dedication that continues to this day.

Over 10,000 acres of the original ranch have already been donated by The Ranch family for dedicated open space, water quality enhancements and wetlands and conservancies. Under the Orange County-approved Ranch Plan that number will grow to include an additional 15,321 acres -- land that will be preserved in perpetuity for sensitive habitat, species protection and managed ranching. With the 2005 settlement agreement with key environmental organizations, 75% is now preserved in perpetuity for future generations to revere.