Meet Our Stewards
The Orange County Parks Foundation is guided by a passionate and dedicated Board of Directors committed to ensuring the long-term health and beauty of Orange County's natural treasures. Their diverse expertise helps us champion conservation, education, and park stewardship across the county.
Pam Passow
Director of OC Parks
Doug Chaffee
OC Board of Supervisors
David Shawver
County Director
William Campbell
Treasurer
Mark Denny
Secretary
Why We Exist: Protecting the Places We Love
Our Mission & Vision
OCPF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to the management, operation, and stewardship of public parks, wildlands, open spaces, and recreation areas across Orange County. Our mission is simple yet profound: To create a healthy and sustainable future for the local community and the environment. Inspired by the natural beauty and diversity of our county, our work is a commitment to environmental conservation and long-term sustainability.
Our Role: Lasting Protection
What sets OCPF apart? We are one of the few foundations that holds conservation easements. This means we are legally required to uphold the preservation and conservation values of specific, critical lands, acting as a permanent guardian of these natural resources. When you support OCPF, you are supporting the permanent protection of Orange County’s most cherished open spaces.
Where Our Story Began
Our Foundation was born from one of the most significant conservation gifts in Orange County history.
The catalyst came in 2010 with a landmark 20,000-acre gift of open space from Donald Bren and the Irvine Company to the County of Orange. This incredible donation—known as the Irvine Ranch Open Space gift—expanded the County's regional park system by 30% and permanently incorporated biologically and geologically important lands into protected status. This monumental success story immediately highlighted the need for a dedicated, long-term organization to help steward and sustain such a vast, precious resource—and the Orange County Parks Foundation was established to answer that call.
Making an Impact
Grants Funded by OCPF
Through the generosity of our community and supporters, the Orange County Parks Foundation funds critical projects that enhance our parks, protect our wildlife, and bring nature education to thousands of residents.
Crystal Cove
OCPF provided funding to Crystal Cove Conservancy to develop and install new interpretive and directional signage across three key park zones.
OC Parks
This project secured crucial habitat for a threatened species and created a more resilient, beautiful, and sustainable ecosystem for park visitors to enjoy.
