IN BRIEF

-- Noaki Schwartz

The Irvine Co. and the Donald Bren Foundation announced recently that

they will give $20 million to increase public access and preservation of

open space at Irvine Ranch.

Two grants -- the Open Space Conservancy Fund and the Land Stewardship

Program -- will be available to projects that promote the protection of

open space. Those eligible to apply for the conservancy fund include

public environmental agencies, educational institutions and nonprofit

groups devoted to land conservation.

One-third of the approximately 93,000-acre Irvine Ranch has been set

aside for open space. The land was donated in exchange for both past and

future projects developed by the Irvine Co.

About 14,000 acres of the property have already been turned over to the

state of California, the county of Orange and local cities. There are

still 19,600 acres of land owned by the Irvine Co. planned for future

dedication to public agencies.

The Donald Bren Foundation, which has focused most of its philanthropy on

education and environmental issues, has contributed an initial $10

million toward the Open Space Conservancy Fund.