The documentary on critical environmental challenges and community-led solutions in the county debuts Aug. 31 on KLCS-PBS
IRVINE, Calif. (August 26, 2026) — The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) and OC World, an award-winning multimedia nonprofit, are thrilled to announce today the broadcast premiere of “Protect & Preserve: Orange County’s Unique Ecosystems” on Monday, August 31 at 5 pm on KLCS-PBS. The fourth episode in their six-part “The Power of Community” series, this program explores the region’s natural landscape, the critical environmental challenges and community-led solutions shaping the future of Orange County’s land and water.
Program highlights include:
- The state of OC’s ecosystems: A conversation with Brett Sanders, Chancellor’s Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UC Irvine and leader of the university’s Climate Collaboration, examines how decades-old flood infrastructure has created lasting environmental challenges across Orange County’s land and coastline. Sanders connects these challenges to the socioeconomic factors that shape how communities experience them and looks at the nature-based solutions in development.
- Turning an oil field into open space: A feature on the Frank and Joan Randall Preserve, formerly Banning Ranch, traces how 387 acres of coastal mesa, lowlands and wetlands, once an active oil field, became protected public land through a $97 million acquisition and a $243.5 million environmental mitigation program. Melanie Schlotterbeck, Stewardship Consultant at Coastal Corridor Alliance, shares how years of advocacy, land-use strategy and creative conservation funding brought the preserve to life.
- Preserving the coast: A spotlight on Orange County Coastkeeper, founded in 1999 by Garry Brown, highlights the organization’s work on water quality, marine habitats and urban runoff, and programs that make California’s coastline accessible for all communities.
Throughout the episode, community voices and conservation leaders illustrate how policy, philanthropy and grassroots stewardship combine to sustain Orange County’s natural resources for future generations.
“Orange County’s natural beauty is one of our greatest shared assets, and protecting it takes all of us,” said Shelley Hoss, CEO of the Orange County Community Foundation. “This episode of ‘The Power of Community’ illustrates how thoughtful stewardship today can safeguard our coastlines, wetlands and open spaces for generations to come.”
Previous episodes in “The Power of Community” six-part series include:
- “Child and Youth Mental Health: A Hidden Epidemic”: Examining startling local data, highlights real-world solutions in action, and presents heartfelt stories of resilience and healing from local youth and families tackling mental health issues
- “Earn & Learn: Tomorrow’s Innovation Economy”: Exploring the intersection of education and economic innovation, spotlighting programs that equip youth and young adults with the skills needed for tomorrow’s workforce
- “Promising Futures: The Path to College and Beyond”: Focusing on opening pathways and bridging gaps to higher-education success in underserved communities, especially among first-generation college students.
The final two episodes are “Women’s Health Drives Community Health” which will shed light on the unique health issues faced by women in Orange County and the programs working to reduce barriers that prevent women from seeking essential care which impacts not only their own health but their families and communities; and “Building Bridges – Connection, Community, Humanity” which will explore efforts to foster belonging and connection across Orange County’s diverse communities, highlighting initiatives working to bridge divides and resolve conflicts through re-entry, restorative justice and “long-bridging” programs to deepen understanding and strengthen community bonds.
OCCF and OC World invite everyone to explore “The Power of Community,” a series that promises to inspire change and elevate the voices of those making a difference. By sharing stories of perseverance and promise, this series serves as a catalyst for dialogue and action, encouraging audiences to connect with local efforts that are making a meaningful and lasting difference.
For more information on “The Power of Community” series, please visit oc-cf.org/power-of-community.
About Orange County Community Foundation
The Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF) transforms our community’s heartfelt intention into greater impact for good by working with local donors and nonprofit partners as an expert advisor and innovator. We serve as a resource for individual and family philanthropists, facilitate grant and scholarship programs, and lead community-based initiatives. OCCF’s Vision 2030, a five-year strategic plan, is designed to amplify giving and support donors’ philanthropic goals as well as address critical needs in Orange County. Since 1989, OCCF has granted more than $1.25 billion in Orange County, across the country, and around the world. For more information, visit oc-cf.org or call (949) 553-4202. Be a part of our conversation on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. View OCCF’s 2025 annual report here.
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Media Contact
Lisa Liddane
lliddane@cornerstonecomms.com
(714) 656-5002
