Since 1993, The Ranch family has voluntarily partnered with several state and federal wildlife protection agencies to conduct scientific studies to identify portions of Rancho Mission Viejo containing threatened or endangered native plant and animal habitats. In 1999, the scope of research expanded to include a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program to preserve and enhance wetlands, manage water run-off and protect water quality in the San Juan and San Mateo creeks. These studies have been funded primarily by Rancho Mission Viejo in an effort to establish both the Natural Communities Conservation Plan (NCCP) and the Special Areas Management Plan (SAMP).