Diablo Watch Fall 2011 No. 52 Saving Thomas Home Ranch Marsh Creek-V 145 Acre Gateway to Nortonville Canyon Save Mount Diablo Protects a Volcanic Dome Imagine what the biggest oaks at the Thomas “Home Ranch” Mount Diablo continues to benefit from the recession and a have witnessed over the past 200 years. The ranch is located buyer’s market. “Save Mount Diablo has just purchased 7.4 at the intersection of Kirker Pass and Nortonville Roads, just acre ‘Marsh Creek-V’ for $125,000, our most recent purchase south of Pittsburg. Two hundred years ago the view down to on Marsh Creek Road and crossed by Marsh Creek,” said Ron the waterfront included herds of pronghorn and tule elk and the Brown, SMD’s executive director. The property is located occasional grizzly bear or Native American hunting them. As east of Clayton and adjacent to the Marsh Creek Springs event Spanish missions expanded facility, just downstream their influence, antelope from our MC-II and – and elk were replaced by IV properties. MC-V cattle and horses, then the is especially rich in missions were succeeded biodiversity. Part of by Mexican ranchos—but the reason is that it’s what would become the a volcanic dome with Thomas Ranch was left unusual geology. alone up at the edge of the “We were able to Diablo foothills. A shortcut make a purchase deal at a through the hills became very low price and in near known as Kirker Pass then record time,” said Brown. the gold rush started. In one “This is the sixth 5 or 10 1849 account the landscape acre parcel Save Mount was “barren and desolate Diablo has acquired in the enough to look upon, rising past year for $125,000 or in swells like the waves less.” of the ocean, with Mount Hein Scott

Diablo towering far above While the Thomas Home Ranch, SMD’s latest acquisition, is being preserved for its Marsh Creek it, but without a house or strategic location, it includes a house built in the 1880s and a variety of historic structures. At its simplest the tent visible.” Coal was property corner is crossed discovered and a road constructed across the property, leading by Marsh Creek at the mouth of the Dark Canyon segment of from the boom bust town “New York of the Pacific” up to the Marsh Creek Road. More importantly it is adjacent to a large mining town of Nortonville. box culvert where the creek crosses underneath the road, a key In 1869 the property was homesteaded by the Thomas wildlife connection. One of a series of unusually steep knolls family, Welsh miners by way of Nortonville. Widow Margaret near the northeast corner of Mount Diablo State Park, it’s one Thomas sold a strip of land for a railway up to the mines, property away from two other SMD parcels and also rises to dividing the ranch into two pieces. Then the county bought a another large property protected with a scenic easement. The strip for a new road, north of Kirker Pass but named for it, and property’s section of the creek is lined with mature sycamores, divided the property again. The growing family just wanted to oaks and willows. It is habitat for the threatened California red- be left alone but the property was located too strategically at the legged frog and is also used by a wide array of wildlife. mouth of the canyon and the pass. “New York” became “Black All told, in the upper and middle stretches of Marsh Creek Diamond” then “Pittsburg.” Coal mining sputtered with fits and (area upstream of Marsh Creek reservoir in Brentwood), SMD starts and then sand mining took over. Meanwhile, Pittsburg has recently protected more than a mile of creek in small parcels. (continued on page 6) (continued on page 4)

A New Park: Doolan Canyon 3 Self-Guided Hike: Volcanoes in Clayton 5 Final Connection in Black Diamond Corridor 10 Tassajara Valley: New Farm is Illegal 12 Bio Blitz 13 Thanks to our Supporters 14-15 From the Executive Director:

We all know about the serious budget issues for the state and for our State Park System. We are now faced with the closure of nearly one third of our Board of Directors state parks. As we continue our mission to preserve, defend and restore Mount Malcolm Sproul Diablo, and look for ways to solve the long term funding needs for State parks, President Amara Morrison we also continue to help Mt. Diablo State Park resolve its immediate operational Secretary problems. This year SMD paid for routine maintenance on two septic systems to Burt Bassler keep restrooms open. We are currently developing plans to repair the dangerous Treasurer conditions that exist on Mt. Diablo Scenic Road and restore the historic beacon on the Summit museum. Arthur Bonwell Emeritus Heath Bartosh When Art Bonwell and Mary Bowerman founded SMD in 1971 they thought that their effort of preserving the Charla Gabert mountain could be accomplished in 5 years mainly with State funding. Well, here we are - 40 years later and John Gallagher Claudia Hein we are busier than ever. Together with our allies we have protected more than 100,000 acres of natural lands. Scott Hein Recently the important wildlife (and future recreational) corridor from Black Diamond Mines to the State Park David Husted was permanently protected (see article on page 10). But 80,000 acres of natural lands are still privately owned Doug Knauer Brian Kruse and threatened by development in places such as the Tassajara Hills and Doolan Canyon (see pages 10 and 3). Dave Sargent Our job is not done – we continue to face complex challenges in our continued effort to reassemble the Diablo David Trotter wilderness that has been so fragmented over the past 200 years. Staff Ronald Brown SMD continues to acquire land from willing land owners and to get involved in public policy issues affecting Executive Director urban growth and land conservation, at times through aggressive community organizing and political advocacy. Seth Adams Land Programs Director We are successful in our efforts because of the relationships we have built. We are honored to have a wide Julie Seelen array of sponsors, partners and supporters like you. As we continue our efforts together, let’s remember our Advancement Director collective responsibilities for protecting and healing this earth. Monica Oei Finance Director Jodi Bailey Now that we are about to enter our 41st year, let’s keep in mind the promise of what might be, the beauty in Land Conservation Manager the world, the wonders of nature, the complexity of this amazing landscape and what it represents for ourselves George Phillips and for future generations. We do this work because we have a duty to leave the planet in a better condition Land Conservation Associate for our children than when we got it from our parents. Beryl Anderson Communications Coordinator Emily Egan Event & Volunteer Coordinator Christine Chestnut Grant Writer Nora Sanchez Accounting Associate Diablo Watch is printed on recycled Get the Scoop FPO Shannon Grover paper with soy based ink. Join Save Mount Diablo Senior Admin. Assistant Dana Halpin Administrative Assistant Publisher Save Mount Diablo 2011 Mountain Star Awards 1901 Olympic Blvd. Ste 320 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Mountain Star Awards recognize individuals and organizations 925-947-3535; fax 925-947-0642 whose contributions have been significant in helping Save Mount www.SaveMountDiablo.org Diablo’s land preservation programs. The 2011 Mountain Star Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo has helped expand Awards are sponsored by Dave and Dana Dornsife. Save Mount preserved natural lands on and Diablo thanks them for their continued support. around the mountain from 6,788 acres to more than 100,000 acres Hein Scott This year’s Mountain Star Award recipients are: Left to Right: Assemblywoman Joan Masthead Panorama: Buchanan, Phil O’Loane, Doug Burr, Sally Dragon Oaks 550, Stephen Joseph Doug Bell of East Bay Regional Park District, Mary Bowerman Scholl, David Loeb, Senator Mark DeSaulnier Award for Science and Discovery and Dr. Doug Bell Proud Member of David Loeb of Bay Nature Institute, Mountain Star Media Award Doug Burr, Phil O’Loane, and Sally Scholl of People Opposed to Measure W Breaking San Ramon’s Urban Growth Boundary 2010, Mountain Star Leadership Award

Congratulations to our 2011 Mountain Star Award winners. Their dedication and pioneering spirits help to ensure that people and wildlife can enjoy all of Mount Diablo and its foothills for future generations. Read about their inspiring feats at SaveMountDiablo.org under About SMD

2 Save Mount Diablo Defend Brian Holt A Park is Born, and Immediately Threatened 640 Acres at Doolan Canyon-Tassajara Hills and “Dublin Preserve” The Tassajara Valley and hills are sensually The measure includes acquisition funding further expansion. In December Dublin sublime but from road level you might not for expanding existing parks throughout the approved a “General Plan Amendment notice, since you’re probably focused on East Bay but it also mapped out new park Study” request by Pacific Union Homes traffic, or barns and ranchette houses. From proposals, including six additional parks for 1,990 senior residential units on 1,450 Highway 580 looking north, the hills seem around Mount Diablo. acres adjacent to the new park’s southern almost featureless where they’re not boundary and stretching almost marked by East Dublin development two miles toward Highway 580. or a patchwork of vineyards closer to Ironically the developers included Livermore. small parcels along Doolan You need to look down from Canyon Road in their proposal ridges above, watch the shadows which they don’t own, some of lengthening near sunset, or get whose owners object. deep into the spring green hills to They’re calling the massive understand the area’s grassland proposed development “Dublin beauty, its wetlands and steep knolls. Preserve.” Livermore has an Even if the area weren’t beautiful, Urban Growth Boundary, Dublin however, Save Mount Diablo would has one on its western boundary still defend it as an agricultural buffer but not on the eastside; it will and transition to nearby parks. need approval from the Alameda What few maps show is County Local Agency Formation that public park lands have been East Bay Regional Park District has made the first acquistion in its new Doolan Canyon- Commission to add the land to Tassajara Hills Regional Preserve, ironically a developer application to Dublin is now spreading, framing the Tassajara threatening the lower canyon greenbelt between Dublin and Livermore. its city limits. The process is region along ridgelines on three sides just getting started but SMD and of a rectangle roughly five by eight miles- One of the new parks is known as our allies will be monitoring the “Dublin -on the north from Mount Diablo to Los “Doolan Canyon-Tassajara Hills” and Preserve” project and defending the new Vaqueros, on the east along Morgan Territory acquisition is just beginning. As parks park. Road, and on the west down Tassajara are created around Diablo, SMD works to Ridge, past Hidden Valley Open Space, expand, connect and defend them. Doolan Canyon’s Schmitz across the county line and into Dublin. In October the Park District made its Parcel - Guided Tour Only Meanwhile, at the south end of the first acquisition for the new park, the 640- From the Airway exit on Hwy 580 region along Highway 580, Dublin has acre Schmitz property at the north end of you can travel north and west and preserved some land as a condition of its Doolan Canyon Road, and adjacent on the follow Doolan Road through the East Dublin Specific Plan, and wildlife north to the Brown Ranch. Lands south proposed project area, to the Preserve agencies required that one of the East of the mountain and close to freeways are boundary. Please respect that Schmitz Dublin developers preserve 530 acres of considerably more expensive than to the will not be open to the public for some the 838 acre Brown Ranch just to the north. north but the City of Livermore committed time. Although the property has been Dublin and Livermore have also had a $2 million to the $6.4 million price tag, protected, the acquisition is just the Memorandum of Understanding for years $2 million came from Altamont Landfill first step. Others include cleanup, that there would be a greenbelt between mitigation funds, and the remaining $2.4 construction of facilities, and park the two cities in the Doolan Canyon area. million from the District and Measure WW. planning necessary to protect sensitive Livermore has made significant steps to The Schmitz property is spectacular. It resources and to provide ranger staffing. honor the agreement. Dublin recently took has almost no trees but includes dramatic These are difficult steps in a bad the first step toward breaking it. land forms and significant wetlands including economy. We hope to schedule special For some time Save Mount Diablo has a 10-15 acre pond, depending on the season. tours next Spring. been urging the East Bay Regional Park The bad news is that Dublin, which will District to create a Tassajara Hills park. The take years to digest thousands of unbuilt real opportunity came in 2008 when the homes southwest of the new park in its East Check our hike schedule online at District’s Measure WW bond was approved. Dublin Specific Plan, is considering still www.SaveMountDiablo.org

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 3 Preserve Images: SMD recently acquired Marsh Creek-V (left) for its creek segment and box culvert wildlife corridor under busy Marsh Creek Road (above); The property also includes an unusual volcanic dome- -one of 18 spots in a band at the NW corner of Mt. Diablo State Park (pink spots in the map below); Marsh Creek-V

isn’t easily accessible so Scott Hein SMD has been leading hikes at a similar dome Tallest manzanita? at the bottom of nearby Perkins Canyon, which The most interesting plant species seen also includes this historic at this property are a group of manzanitas at dam (right). the summit. They may be among the tallest anywhere, at 25-30 feet in size. Though

Scott Hein spots are on manzanitas can be a difficult genus of protected land—at shrubs to identify, as they are notoriously Chaparral Spring, Marsh Creek-V: promiscuous and hybridize easily, these and Clayton Ranch SMD Protects a Volcanic Dome large specimens, based on the leaf shape and for example—but lack of a basal burl, have been identified (continued from Page 1) most of them as Contra Costa manzanita (Arctostaphylos Staff and several members of SMD’s aren’t yet accessible to the public. Once manzanita subsp. Laevigata). Although we land committee visited the property in you’ve focused on their characteristic had been hoping for Bowerman manzanita, early summer. Its northern exposure shape—unusually steep knolls—they’re an endemic species recognized by some, along the road is steep, lush, and easier to pick out. includes a lot of poison oak. In just a named for our co-founder, Dr. Mary few minutes several rare plants were Complex Geology = Bowerman, the Contra Costa manzanita is rare, local and impressive in size. located. One surprise was that there Complex Soils = Rich Botany are large rock outcroppings and slopes Vegetation on Marsh Creek-V is diverse due of smaller rocks, many of them pink, Read the full artcicle about Marsh to its conical topography which exposes the Creek-V at www.SaveMountDiablo.org layered, with shiny light and dark parcel to a variety of aspects. The north crystals, which we recognized as a form slope is draped in a shroud of full shade as of rhyolite or dacite, igneous rock with a is much of Dark Canyon to the east. The Hike a Volcanic Dome high silica content. multi-layered understory of this side of Marsh Creek-V is steep with little park- the property comprises an upper canopy of ing and lots of poison oak. Visit a similar Volcanic Dome California bay laurel, interior live oak, and The most common igneous rocks dome using our self-guided hike on p. 5. coast live oak. The mid-story canopy smells on Mount Diablo are old ocean crust of sweet western hop tree blossoms but is formed as much as 165 million years also armed with an abundance of poison oak ago deep out at sea. These included for those who dare to tread—if the property’s parts of Diablo’s main peaks. Also 45+ degree slopes, rising from 550’ to 870’, present are pillow basalts formed at aren’t enough to discourage you. Other shrub underwater eruptions along a mid-ocean species occupying this level of the canopy ridge. These pieces of igneous rock are coffee berry, our native blackberry, were carried to North America and snowberry, and hollyleaf redberry. The added to the continent by the movement woodland floor is abundantly populated with of tectonic plates. mosses and fern species such as wood fern, Marsh Creek-V is different. Diablo maidenhair fern, goldback fern, and licorice Valley College geology professors Jason fern. Mayfield and Jean Hetherington helped On the exposed western slope the dense us to understand it. At the northeast canopy cover gives way and herbaceous corner of Mount Diablo State Park, species, such as monkeyflower and some of near the intersection of Marsh Creek our wonderful native grasses including blue and Morgan Territory Roads, eighteen wildrye, California fescue, and smallflower spots have been mapped so far, by other melic grass, bask in the sunlight. On the geologists, of high silica igneous rock eastern side of the dome, slopes are gentler visible in mound or dome-like surface in character allowing blue oaks to replace exposures, within a four mile northwest- live oaks and begin creating the savannah southeast band, a mile and a half wide. we are accustomed to on this side of the All or part of eleven of the eighteen mountain, accented with scattered buckeyes.

4 Save Mount Diablo Enjoy Unless you’re an The hike is simple and almost line- equestrian or live in of-sight: Stay on the Ray Morgan fire Morgan Territory, road closest to paved Morgan Territory chances are you’ve Rd. as it turns past other fire roads—you never visited Perkins can even take a narrow path to stay Canyon, at the northeast closer to the paved road (Ray Morgan corner of Mount Diablo was a local fire chief and descendant State Park. On maps of Morgan Territory settler Jeremiah trails seem short and Morgan). You’ll immediately pick confusing and it’s not your way across Dunn Creek, an often clear where to park. wet area draining from the old mercury You’ve been mine, then cross Perkins Creek, and missing out. Trail loops eventually begin rising. When you do, are short but fascinating, the dome is on your right. You’ll pass there’s great history and into gray pine woodland; just before geology, diverse wildlife thick chamise chaparral, or scrub, you and spring wildflowers, can leave the trail and climb (right) to two historic rock the top of the dome if you wish. The Scott Hein dams, one of the most sandy soils alert you to the decomposed beautiful creeks in volcanic dacite, which is high in silica. Volcanoes in Clayton? the State Park—and Back on the Ray Morgan Road Self-Guided Hike to Volcanic Domes an easily accessible climbing south, below the high tension and Beautiful Perkins Canyon volcanic dome. It’s one power lines the single track Perkins of 18 nearby tertiary Creek Trail (you’ll soon reach the park Trailhead: West side Morgan Territory Rd., volcanic extrusions, magma veins which boundary if you miss it) drops right with a half mile south of Marsh Creek Rd., just reached the surface (plug domes) or were views into the upper gorge, the trail past the mercury mine tailing pond (across exposed by erosion (plug necks). Save lined into summer with white mariposa from 2727 MTR) Trails: Ray Morgan Road, Mount Diablo has just purchased one a mile lilies and the yellow flowers of Brewer’s Perkins Creek Trail Distance: 2 miles RT to the east but this one is more accessible dwarf flax, down to the creek which has plus side trips Elevation Gain/Loss: 305’ (see Marsh Creek-V article, p. 1, for cut a nearly vertical slope on the west minimum information about the new property and the side of the dome. As interesting as the Time: 1-3 hours area’s fascinating geology). dome is, however, the creek is more so Notes: Great evening hike, no facilities, sun The Perkins Canyon area, named for with rocks from the dome mixed with sets early below North Peak, creeks flow Solomon David and Susan Perkins who lived more colorful ones from the main peaks. later, mosquitoes and ticks during the wet there 1859-69, was added to the State Park Cascades are shaded by water loving season and avoidable poison oak. in 1976, at the same time as SMD’s first trees—sycamores, big leaf maple, etc., land purchase north of the old mercury mine and there are interesting plants in the pond. Other parcels were added in 1982. flood plain like pitcher sage. Upstream It includes the old Gabriel-Hinks property the main channel begins climbing (as in the old Hink’s department store in steeply, crossing the private Diablo Berkeley). Mercury was first mined nearby Bowmen archery club parcel to SMD’s in 1863. Viera-North Peak property where steep At the start, you’re literally at the base canyons contribute more water, then on of North Peak, with views of the strangely to Prospectors Gap between Diablo’s steep volcanic dome (more like the top of a main peaks. mushroom than a cone) directly south, darker If you follow the trail downstream, green and just below the ridge of the Oak you’ll pass two historic rock dams, then Hill Lane area, left of the collection of power back to the start. Or you can return line towers. The landscape is rolling tarweed on a higher loop closer to North Peak grassland with beautiful Harvest brodeia and such as the Diablo Mine Trail—red large oaks—you can hear ground squirrels, chert soil and vegetation even more quail, scrub jays and acorn woodpeckers— thick with ferns, grape vines, clematis, transitioning a few hundred feet west into endemic Mount Diablo globe lilies, and steep, lush vegetation on the slopes rising poison oak—which passes two dead end to North Peak and further south at Perkins roads up to the PG&E towers and more Creek and the dome. Highland and Morgan expansive views. Territory Ridges are visible to the south, and the Dark Canyon part of Marsh Creek to the Visit our Hikes web page for guided, east—if you look carefully you can pick out self-guided and audible guided hikes. more domes, including Marsh Creek-V.

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 5 Preserve the property but a Left to Right: Keller Creek drops down Nortonville Canyon and across the Thomas Home Ranch; Alkali heath; variety of problems, landowner Gloria Thomas and SMD opposed development including developer there in 1997 (Times, by Jose Fajardo) competition, timing, and technical issues At our 30th anniversary in 2001 SMD related to funding awarded the Thomas family a Mountain Star threatened to get Stewardship Award for their care of their in the way. SMD property for more than 130 years: “The stepped in to help. family has resisted Pittsburg’s efforts to “The park district annex and develop their ranch lands. Without is very grateful for their commitment to their land, the scenic Save Mount Diablo’s Black Diamond foothills of Mount Diablo role in protecting would have long since been paved over.” this strategic

Scott Hein property at the The Auction mouth of Nortonville Thomas North (the Home Ranch), Saving Thomas Home Ranch Canyon,” said Nancy Central, and South were jointly owned by (continued from Page 1) Wenninger, Assistant eighteen different family members, some General Manager/ owning as much as 1/6th, some as little as was stretching south. It surged when Land Division for 1/90th. Over the years SMD made overtures. Camp Stoneman was built during World the district. “We were very interested in As time passed fewer family members were War II, then one tract after another was this acquisition but we weren’t going to be interested in cattle ranching but the family subdivided, rising up “Railroad” toward able to complete the purchase. Save Mount couldn’t come to agreement on what to do increasingly congested Kirker Pass. The Diablo’s ability to move quickly and be with the land. The family’s matriarch, Gloria Thomases loved their land and resisted flexible really made the deal happen. The Thomas, now 83, began suffering from the outsiders who wanted a piece of it. property is important by itself, but it will Alzheimer’s and moved to a convalescent “Save Mount Diablo recently won also help preserve open space further up home. Ultimately a court-appointed receiver an estate court auction to purchase the the canyon and includes an important trail decided that sale of the land was necessary 145-acre Thomas “Home Ranch” for connection which will help make the final to resolve conflicting claims, including those $1,376,500,” said Ron Brown, SMD’s link between Black Diamond Mines Regional for Gloria’s medical care. The receiver executive director. “The other bidder Preserve and Concord Naval Weapons approached the East Bay Regional Park was almost certainly a developer. This Station. Over the years SMD has been one District, an appraisal was conducted, and is the second time that SMD has saved of the district’s most valuable allies and has agreement was reached about sale of the the property. Working with the Thomas helped us achieve success many times. We three parts of the Thomas property. family we also stopped its development have a great partnership.” At the final court hearing a snag in the late 1990s. A number of family Thomas is gateway to beautiful developed. Even though it was the receiver members have thanked us recently for Nortonville Canyon and Kirker Pass. Above who had approached the park district, the making sure the property will finally it a rugged open space corridor stretches attorney for one family member argued that be preserved for good, but we can only from Black Diamond north toward Suisun the court should have marketed the properties do it with the continued support of our Bay. Its protection decreases development and needed to conduct an “overbid” auction donors.” threats to the canyon and pass area. It’s a to see whether there were other interested critical recreational connection, historically buyers. The auction was held two weeks The Big Picture important, and biologically rich. later. Only the park district bid on the first Also known as “Thomas North,” “Thomas’ location is very strategic in two properties, Thomas South including the Home Ranch is being acquired at terms of its relationship to the Urban Limit Kreiger Peak south of Black Diamond the same time that East Bay Regional Line, Pittsburg, Kirker Pass and the entrance and Thomas Central on the slopes above Park District is purchasing the 160- to Nortonville Canyon and the resources Nortonville Canyon. Both were purchased acre “Thomas Central” and 852-acre there,” said Malcolm Sproul, SMD’s by the district at the appraised value. “Thomas South,” and a few months after President. “It’s the northwestern most When the Home Ranch, the 145 acres their purchase of the 798-acre Barron extension of the San Joaquin Valley, with including Gloria Thomas’ house, was placed property, another Thomas property similar habitat and environmental conditions. up for bid, a broker representing a private and the final gap between Mount There was even a confirmed San Joaquin kit party made a bid of $917,000, higher than Diablo State Park and Black Diamond fox sighting at the far end of the canyon in the park district board’s approval. The Mines. (See Barron & Thomas, page the early 1990s.” auction was delayed for two more weeks for 10). Although those properties are “Thomas is one of the best examples of park district staff to confer with the district’s bigger, they are also more rugged and the importance of our organization,” said board. remote. The Home Ranch was far more Brown. “It underscores our flexibility and It’s difficult for public agencies to developable, threatened and expensive. ability to step in and acquire an important acquire land for more than the appraised It was a close call. The park piece of land. This is why we exist—we can value. It’s a questionable use of public district was interested in purchasing act quickly when others may not be able to.” funding and would also disqualify the district

6 Save Mount Diablo from using East Contra Costa County major wildlife corridor connection and will Visit the Thomas Home Ranch Habitat Conservancy funds which were to also be a major regional trail connection Kirker Pass Road crosses the Home provide 90 percent of the purchase price. from Black Diamond Mines and Nortonville Ranch between the mile and half mile As a private buyer, Save Mount Diablo along the creeks, down into Pittsburg and mark south of the Pittsburg city limits, is less constrained. After significant across Kirker Pass Road. We are just and if you turn on to Nortonville Road discussion, SMD’s board decided the beginning resource analysis, but despite two the property is easily seen on both sides property was too important to our hundred years of cattle grazing the steep as well. Thomas Home Ranch will not conservation objectives to lose without a hills and creek banks support large stands be open to the public for some time. fight. The board consciously chose to bid of native grass and there are several locally Save Mount Diablo will lead guided higher even though part of our investment rare plants including Jepsons coyote thistle tours on the property on Saturday, might not be reimbursed when we eventually (Eryngium jepsonii). November 12th and December 3rd. transfer the property to a park agency. We The 145.5 acre property is made up of set a maximum three parcels. Read the full article about Thomas bid and hoped that 54.5 mostly flat Home Ranch and hikes at our involvement acres wedged www.SaveMountDiablo.org. would find the other between Kirker bidder unprepared. Pass and Saving Thomas Twice SMD has Nortonville fought Pittsburg Roads include We first met Gloria Thomas in 1996 development the original at the little farm house where she projects many times 1880s house lived on Nortonville Road. Her over the years. On and more recent grandparents homesteaded there in the chance that a barns, an oasis 1869 and she was born in the house in developer was the surrounded by 1928. Less than five feet tall, Gloria private bidder and large fruit, nut is slender, feisty and loved to walk in might be especially and other trees— the hills to look at wildflowers. motivated by our pomegranates, She’d invited us over because involvement, we figs, walnut, Pittsburg had proposed expanding sent a representative Scott Hein elderberry, and the city by 25%, stretching south to to the auction huge pepper trees. overlook Clayton. Its “Southeast who couldn’t be connected with us. Twice You can easily cross Nortonville Road Hills Annexation” was a proposal by the other bidder had to get approval by to a 10.5 acre area dominated by Kirker the Southport Land & Commercial phone to continue and eventually dropped Creek, sinuous and lined with big oaks, Company to add 2,745 acres for out. SMD’s next bid of $1,376,500 won willows and cottonwoods and with a fire at least 1,549 houses. The three the auction. Eventually we will transfer road leading north to the location of the and a half mile long project would the property to the East Bay Regional Park proposed Buchanan Bypass, in a steep have stretched from the city limits District. sandstone striped canyon. The trees attract on Railroad Ave./Kirker Pass Rd., many bird species, including rare loggerhead through Gloria’s property and into the You Can Make a Difference shrikes. The highly endangered San Joaquin hills west of Black Diamond Mines We saved the Thomas Ranch in just a kit fox was confirmed in Nortonville Canyon Regional Preserve. Most importantly, few days, and had to pay the purchase price in 1992 and has been seen in the regional the plan would have broken the county in cash. Funding was provided by SMD’s preserve more recently. The property has to Urban Limit Line for the first time Mary Bowerman Fund - your donations be at the very northwestern edge of its range. ever. The city relied on one of the at work. We are also in the process of The largest parcel, 80.5 acres, is west of worst Environmental Impact Reports purchasing several other properties and are Kirker Pass Road and crosses Kirker Creek (EIR) we’ve ever reviewed... making offers on several more. We are at the 280 ft. elevation before rising to the only able to move quickly because of your property’s highest elevation of 850 feet. It Read the full article to learn more generosity. includes an 8-foot high cattle tunnel which at www.SaveMountDiablo.org crosses underneath Kirker Pass Road as under Land, Acquisition, Thomas Resources, Recreation, does a smaller culvert. In addition to its use and Corridors by cattle and wildlife, it will allow a major The Home Ranch has flat, easily regional trail connection. developable areas surrounded by steep hills For a long time Nortonville Road was and crossed by two deeply incised tributaries a public right of way up to the coal mining of Kirker Creek (See the map on page 10). town now within the regional preserve, but The creeks thread two major canyons that for years it’s been too remote for a public converge on the property and a third canyon entrance to the park. SMD’s strategic drops onto it as well, from Keller Landfill purchase moves us much closer to a new protected open space. The topography and park entrance near Kirker Pass Road, serving creeks guarantee that the property is both a Pittsburg and area residents.

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 7 Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy

Four Days Diablo April 27-30 2011 Twenty-two adventurers joined us for a posh 30 mile trek on the Diablo Trail. Staff set up camp, chefs prepared gourmet dinners, and naturalists intrigued all.

(Clockwise) Veteran Four Dayer Danna Pierce marvels at the mountain; hikers approach the first day’s lunch stop; Rogers Ridge view of the Diablo peaks; everyone enjoys an after-dinner campfire while “Blue Eyed Grass” strings and vocals set the mood; Prima Ristorante’s plates always please; the whole group gives the “Diablo wave” on Old Finley Road at the mouth of Jackass Canyon.

Doolan Canyon Spring and Summer 2011 Hikers joined us for the first guided tours of East Bay Regional Park District’s new Doolan Canyon-Tassajara Hills Regional Preserve south of Mount Diablo.

(Clockwise) Environmental leaders from SMD, Greenbelt Alliance, the Tri-Valley Conservancy, Friends of the Vineyards, Sierra Club and the California Native Plant Society tour the new preserve as well as proposed development lower in Doolan Canyon; the property includes a large 10-acre pond; Malcolm Sproul, Dick Schneider; Seth Adams interprets the preserve and development threat; rare Yerba mansa (Animopsis californica) in flower.

8 Save Mount Diablo Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy

Bio Blitz May 14-15, 2011 Experts surveyed as many species as possible in 24 hours on 2 square miles of private Ginochio cattle ranch, near SMD’s Wright Canyon on Diablo’s east side

Results over 24 hours: 305 species, over 50 of them rare. (Clockwise from left) A night snake (Hypsiglena torquata) in Curry Canyon; a Mariposa lily; partici- pants split up to focus on different resources; this bobcat was photographed at dawn by a camera trap; a Clam shrimp in the palm of a hand; Malcolm Sproul, SMD’s Board President (and a principle at participating biotic consulting firm, LSA Associates), netting amphibians.

Dry Creek Trail Project Summer 2011 Matt Dami wanted a challenge for his Eagle Scout project so he coordinated construction of a volunteer built trail at SMD’s Dry Creek property.

(Clockwise) Matt Dami instructing his loyal friends turned volunteers; the high school students are trained in use Photos on these pages by: Beryl Anderson, of different trail building tools; the trail builders work their way up the slopes digging out large rocks; the group Scott Hein, David Ogden, George Phillips celebrates completing the trail after three days of hard work; a well earned pizza; Rake array. and Jerry Roe.

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 9 Preserve Kreiger Peak view southeast across the Thomas South and Barron additions to Black Diamond Mines; sisters Maxine Barron and Gloria Thomas in 1977; map of recent park additions numbered in order- the Barron purchase in March (#11) was the final gap between Mt. Diablo and Black Diamond, #14 is SMD’s Thomas Ranch purchase Maxine Barron All of these acquisitions were from willing sellers. There were two choices to bridge the final quarter mile gap. Owners of a smaller property and the most direct route weren’t interested in selling. Then Maxine Barron passed away in November 2009. Her six children offered to sell EBRPD her 798- acre property (#11). Maxine was a member of the Thomas family whose ancestors moved to Contra Costa County in 1867 to work in the coal mines and then later acquired nearby ranchland properties. According to her daughter, Reesa Vogt, “The property meant a lot to my mother. She

Scott Hein inherited it from her cousins Will and Warren Abrams in 1971 or ’72 and Wayne Thomas, Incredible Barron and Thomas my uncle, grazed it. It’s really pretty, you EBRPD Completes Mount Diablo to Black Diamond Corridor have good views, and you can see parts of the Bay and Clayton. She loved going up there. None of us wanted to see it developed and all The 145 acre Thomas “Home Ranch” “The Thomas and Barron lands are some of us liked the idea of it being preserved.” was the most threatened of a group of of the most beautiful property the Regional The purchase was completed in March Thomas properties recently protected, Park District has acquired in the past ten for $2.95 million. Besides uniting the two but not the only one. In March, East years,” said Nancy Wenninger, Assistant major parks, Barron’s protection leaves Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) General Manager/Land Division for EBRPD, just a half mile gap to the east near Deer purchased the 798-acre Barron property who led the negotiations to purchase them. Valley Road to complete a proposed looping (Maxine Barron was a Thomas before her The heroes are the Thomas family; the extension of the Diablo Trail, creating the marriage) for $2.95 million. At the same East Bay Regional Park District; the East 60-70 mile Diablo Grand Loop. Nancy time that SMD acquired the Home Ranch Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, Wenninger of the East Bay Regional Park (aka “Thomas North”) EBRPD also which has provided much of the funding over District was quoted in the August 3rd Contra acquired 160 acre “Thomas Central” on the past three years; and you—the public’s Costa Times: “Imagine a 40 mile route that the slopes above Nortonville Canyon, for support for East Bay Regional Park District’s will take people not only south through Black $624,000, and 852-acre “Thomas South” Measure WW bond, which has provided Diamond and into Mount Diablo, but would including Kreiger Peak south of Black matching funds. allow them to do a tour to Morgan Territory Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, and Round Valley Preserve near Brentwood.” for $3.77 million. In just six months a Mt. Diablo to Black Diamond Mines “Barron is key in making the connection total of 1,955 acres has been protected Two years ago Save Mount Diablo work between Black Diamond Mines and around Black Diamond Mines for $8.72 transferred our 333-acre Chaparral Spring Mount Diablo State Park. It’s spectacularly million—more than three square miles. property east of Clayton to EBRPD. It had beautiful,” said Wenninger. Barron drains Those three square miles include been the beginning of an effort to bridge to the east, creek tributaries joining in Oil amazing resources, spectacular views the two and a half mile gap between Mount Canyon which crosses the northern part and incredible recreational opportunities Diablo State Park and Black Diamond Mines of the property before continuing through but they’re just the most recent in a in an open space corridor and, 18 years after Lentzner and into older parts of Black series of dramatic acquisitions that have we first defended Chaparral Spring from Diamond Mines near Stewartville and Star finally closed the gap between Mount three development proposals, the corridor Mine. Upper Irish Canyon bisects the Diablo State Park and Black Diamond was nearing completion. southwestern area just a half mile upstream Mines, a total of 4,500 acres in twelve In March 2011, the connection between of SMD’s Irish Canyon property. Barron’s years—seven square miles—which the two parks was made, with the purchase two parcels are moderately to steeply sloping; have expanded Black Diamond to of the 798-acre Barron property. There were on either side of Oil Canyon, steep hillsides 10,600 acres. Another corridor is near some detours along the way. rise to a maximum elevation of 1,668 feet. completion as well, and more quickly. What we couldn’t tell you, although Oak woodland, chaparral and hardwoods These and other recent purchases also we’ve announced parcels as they were cover about 40 percent of the property, with leave a total gap of less than a mile acquired, is how close we were getting. See the rest made up of open grassland and between Black Diamond Mines and the details in the sidebar. scattered trees. Concord Naval Weapons Station.

10 Save Mount Diablo Thomas Central and South Clayton on the south side of Black Diamond Connecting Parks The Thomas family was described in the Mines, it’s crossed by three parallel ridges Thomas “Home Ranch” article and in future and twice as high as Thomas Central. It’s When we began, there was a trail newsletters we’ll tell you more about their striped with dense woodland, grassland and between Mount Diablo State Park and history. Simultaneously with Save Mount exposed rock strata along 1905-foot Kreiger Black Diamond Mines but its southern Diablo’s purchase of the Home Ranch and Peak, with incredible views in all directions. end is in downtown Clayton, not the at the same auction, East Bay Regional Park Dropping into Irish Canyon, there’s oak best route for wildlife. Chaparral District purchased 160 acre Thomas Central savannah and more grassland on an unnamed Spring (Map Point #1), acquired in on the slopes above Nortonville Canyon, central ridge a little further south, then more 1994, was the first step in a true open for $624,000, and 852-acre Thomas South dense woodland, rising onto Keller Ridge space corridor. including Krieger Peak south of Black with chaparral overlooking Marsh Creek Step by step, in 1999 the first Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, for Road. Thomas South has a well defined third of 1,031 acre Clayton Ranch $3.77 million. Both properties are remote set of looped fire roads which will provide was acquired (#2), the second in 2000 and rugged, and Thomas Central had access dramatic new recreational opportunities. As (#3) and the final third in 2001 (#4), issues; as a with Thomas Central, all by the East Bay Regional Park result they little biotic review has District (EBRPD). SMD held off a both had yet been undertaken, development project there for over a considerably but resources on decade and helped develop funding. lower per acre neighboring properties One and three-quarter miles of the 2.5 values. are well known. Its mile corridor had been purchased. In Thomas biodiversity will be 2002, 80-acre Rummel-Brown (#5) Central is very high. was purchased by EBRPD and the gap sublime; the A book could was split in two. EBRPD purchased property is steep be written about the 320-acre Lentzner (#6) in 2005 and the and rugged, Barron and Thomas gap shrank to a quarter mile. rising to 1,030 properties but frankly, Meanwhile, in 2007 SMD bought feet. Except no one’s written it yet 320-acre Irish Canyon (#7) closer for a handful of because, other than to the existing recreational trail. In trees it’s made the Thomas family, 2008 we transferred Chaparral Spring, up entirely very few people have the first purchase in the corridor, to of grassland ever visited these EBRPD (#8). Irish Canyon had been Reesa Vogt Reesa and includes properties. They a gamble but with East Contra Costa two ponds are literally unknown County Habitat Conservancy funding, and segments of three tributaries of Kirker territory and we are just beginning to explore EBRPD picked up adjacent 461-acre Creek. Like the Home Ranch, it’s another them. Suffice it to say, they are an open Ang/Eastern (#9) in 2010, connecting half mile by half mile square. Its southwest space fantasy land, big enough and rugged both parcels to Black Diamond Mines, corner almost touches Nortonville Road enough that it will take years to get to know Clayton Open Space, and to the but the slope is so steep few will attempt to them. original recreational trail. Late last access it from there. Its eastern boundary According to Reesa Vogt in a recent year, with a partial reimbursement reaches to Black Diamond Mines northwest Contra Costa Times article, her mother, aunts grant from the Habitat Conservancy, corner. A much more interesting hike, though and uncles didn’t want the land developed, we transferred Irish Canyon to EBRPD still moderately steep, will start at the Black so selling it for public open space was “what (#10), however SMD will continue to Diamond Mines headquarters at Sydney had to be done…Our family can continue manage the property for some years. Flat. The property is directly west of the to go see the property and walk around, but Adding Barron (#11) and Thomas northern half of the Lougher Loop Trail, and so can everyone else. They can see how (#13) made the connection. if you climb a half mile to the ridge west of beautiful and peaceful it is—a little slice of Keller Pittsburg Sidney Flat and drop another half mile into heaven.” Keller Antioch Open Landfill the next drainage, you reach its boundary. Space Thomas Keller North Two ridgelines cross the property diagonally Barron and Thomas Landfill 14 with a well defined valley and a single fire CNWS 12 13 Thomas No Public Access Yet (EBRPD Central road between them. The property supports Please respect that Barron and Thomas raptors, and there are undoubtedly California will not be open to the public for some time. Black Diamon Mines Regional Preserve red-legged frog and tiger salamander in its Although the properties have been protected Clayton ponds. Little botanic review has yet been and the corridor connection completed, 9 Thomas 13 undertaken. South acquisition is just the first step. 7 10 11 11 By contrast, 852-acre Thomas South is 13 6 well known to us, 1.25 miles wide by 1.5 Check our hike schedule at www. 2 5 1 miles long, sandwiched between Barron and savemountdiablo.org for more info 3 SMD’s former Irish Canyon property. East of about hikes this spring. 8 Mt. Diablo State Park 4

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 11 Defend View from Hidden Valley Open Space and Tassajara Ridge across the so-called “New Farm” development proposal site, which extends to Camino Tassajara Road at bottom. Highland Ridge is in the distance.

way to ensure these olive orchard ranchettes are actually farmed much less maintained. In fact their project would break urban limit line protections and open the flood gates for development speculation outside of the line. The re-mapping of county supervisorial districts may ultimately have an impact on approval or rejection of this proposal. Previously Supervisor Mary Piepho from Discovery Bay represented the San Ramon Valley and the Tassajara area where “New Farm” would be located. Now the area is split between Piepho and Supervisor Gayle Uilkema of Lafayette, literally at the western boundary of “New Farm.” The current “New Farm” proposal (this is a revised version of a plan that first surfaced in 2007) would divide the land into

George Phillips 177 single-family lots and 10 multi-family units. The proposal also includes a cemetery “New Farm” Should be Called ‘Fake Farm’ and mortuary facilities, as well as some land Project is Illegal According to Recent Analysis reserved for community purposes such as schools or other community buildings. A new legal review shows that The review concludes that the project An environmental impact report is in the proposed 187-unit suburban would violate policies that prevent urban preparation. As we did in successfully development, located in the Tassajara development outside the County’s Urban opposing Brentwood’s Measure F a year ago Valley east of San Ramon and Limit Line, conflict with agricultural (also proposed by Koch), and San Ramon’s Danville and dubbed “New Farm” by preservation policies, and thwart other land Measure W last fall, both of which would development consultant Tom Koch, if use and transportation policies. It also finds have broken the Urban Limit Line, Save approved, would violate numerous local the project’s traffic impacts could violate Mount Diablo is committed to defending the laws and policies. legal settlements in the 1992 Dougherty Urban Limit Line and the Tassajara Valley. The two-phase review completed Valley Case. On the bright side, protected lands are in August, 2011 was conducted by This version of the development proposal expanding in the Tassajara area (see Doolan Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger LLP, one threatens to convert 771 acres of agricultural Canyon, p.. 3). We’ll keep you posted, and of the most respected land use law land into a mixture of 187 single- and multi- we’ll need your help when the project gets to firms in California, on behalf of Save family homes – outside of the Contra Costa theTassajara County BoardMaps of& Supervisors.Images Mount Diablo and Greenbelt Alliance. County Urban Limit Line. If It finds the project is “inconsistent with approved, this would be the numerous provisions of the (Contra first major subdivision outside Costa County) General Plan, including the ULL since it was adopted provisions adopted by voter initiative. in 1990. Therefore, it would be unlawful for As the project name the County to approve the Project as suggests, the developer Samir proposed.” The analysis also concludes Kawar (FL Land, LLC) and that approval of the “New Farm” project his development consultant would violate Contra Costa County’s Tom Koch are trying to cast Measure J of 2004, making the County this urban development as ineligible to receive its return-to-source agriculture. They claim they’ll portion of the half-cent sales tax for preserve open space and transportation projects authorized by the protect agricultural land uses measure. The second phase of the legal by establishing olive orchards review characterizes the developer’s on portions of the residential analysis of the project as “fundamentally lots and encumbering those flawed,” noting that it “glosses over lots with restrictions that force the project’s patent inconsistency with future owners to keep the olive (General Plan) provisions.” trees. However, there is no “New Farm” is outside of and would break the County urban limit line (in green)

12 Save Mount Diablo Restore group looking for A night snake has cat-like eyes for obvious reasons; view of Ginochio-North Peak from Ginochio-Windy reptiles discovered Point; Brewers Dwarf Flax is just one of the rare a Gilberts Skink, plants recorded. southern alligator lizards mating, experiences took place in an eerie setting and a four foot along a heavily wooded stream canyon gopher snake. As during the dark, foggy night. After the sun set through playing taped owl calls from a boom Prospectors Gap, box for nearly twenty minutes, a faint camera traps response call was heard downstream. captured images As the melodic trill moved closer we of curious coyotes became hyper-aware of sound and and a large bobcat. movement. Time seemed to slow Veins of serpentine, to a stop, then click – as a spotlight California’s state illuminated the gnarled branch of a mineral, support valley oak hanging across the road, faster

Scott Hein dozens of rare than the blink of an eye a screech owl plants we found glided through our field of vision. Night Snakes, Screech Owls including Brewers As the event drew to a close Saturday Dwarf Flax, Mount afternoon, John Ginochio discovered and Brewers Dwarf Flax Diablo jewel flower, what turned out to be the most unusual Bio Blitz at Ginochio and Viera-North Peak Mount Diablo find of the event, a night snake with globe lily, Mount elegant copper colored eyes and vertical The stage was set for an unforgettable Diablo sunflower and Diablo manzanita. The cat-like pupils. John was elated about twenty four hours on the “morning side of properties are excellent habitat for California his find because, despite having spent the mountain,” Diablo’s east face. Fifteen red-legged frogs and Alameda whipsnake, his entire life exploring and appreciating hundred acres of breathtaking landscape both threatened species. Western pond turtle wildlife on the mountain, neither he nor rising from 800-2300 feet including ten and kingfishers are found at Wright Canyon. anyone else at the event had ever seen ponds, countless creeks, springs and a secret Viburnum ellipticum, a white flowered this species before in the wild. twenty foot waterfall. The occasion? It was shrub discovered by SMD co-founder Mary A formal biotic survey of the SMD’s Bio Blitz event, held May 20-21, Bowerman below Windy Point in 1933 properties would have cost thousands of when twenty expert naturalists methodically and known from just a handful of East Bay dollars. Twenty scientists participated in traversed four spectacular parcels to collect, locations, was confirmed again and in good Bio Blitz this year, not a lot especially call, capture and count as many species as health. for such a large rugged area, but 305 possible in one day and night. Data from the species were documented in twenty-four event helps establish a baseline snapshot of hours. We greatly appreciate the time biodiversity and provides information which volunteered by our expert naturalists, helps us better manage sensitive resources. permission by Dorothy Wright to The event was based at SMD’s Wright base the event at Wright Canyon, and Canyon property, which we share with its the Ginochio family’s permission former owner Dorothy Wright, who has life to survey their land. It was a treat. estate to live on her family’s land. Viera- These properties’ ecological health is a North Peak, SMD’s 165-acre treasure rising testament to the care the Wrights and up the slopes of Mount Diablo, was one Ginochios have taken with their land for of the survey areas for the event given its generations. diverse habitat types such as chaparral, oak Scott Hein woodland, grassland, riparian, rock outcrops By coincidence a realtor had contacted us If you want to help care for natural and serpentine grassland. We were also about a new property three days earlier and lands visit our Stewardship page honored by the opportunity to survey more several of us stopped at it on our way to Bio at SaveMountDiablo.org/Lands_ than two square miles of private land owned Blitz. Scientists at the event ID’ed volcanic Stewardship.html. by the Ginochio ranching family, rising from rock we’d collected there and one knew about Curry Canyon south to Windy Point and rare plants onsite. Twelve days later, because north to Prospectors Gap. Very few scientists of its biological importance, we signed a have ever seen these properties. contract to purchase the property: Marsh Discoveries began immediately. En Creek-V (see page 1). It’s a great example of route to dropping off the first group of the value of resource evaluations such as Bio scientists we documented four species of Blitz. raptors in twenty minutes, a juvenile golden A sunny day got chilly as fog divided eagle, American kestrel, red-tailed hawk around Windy Point and filled Curry and and a northern harrier. Turning over logs, a Riggs Canyons. One of our most magical Scott Hein

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 13 Acknowledge Moonlight on the Mountain Auction Donors

Thank you to the generous individuals and Brooks: Cache Creek Casino Resort Newport Beach: Fairmont Hotel, Fleming’s Prime businesses for supporting land preservation Castro Valley: Chouinard Winery Steakhouse with their donations for our annual auction. Concord: Advanced Elements, CNWS Oakland: JC Cellars, Keren Creations Artists: Natalie Avery, Kim Bass, Ruth Beeve, Neighborhood Alliance Steering Committee, Friends Orinda: Orinda Country Club, Salsa with Tomaj Sarah Anne Bettelheim, Yulan C. Tong, Mary of Congressman George Miller, Pacific Coast Carpet Lou Correia, CraigShots Photography, Verna Pleasanton: Angel Island TramTours & Catered Dow, Rachel Deist Pottery, Catherine Fasciato, Danville: AuburnJames Winery, Blackhawk Country Events, Christesen’s Tack Room John Finger, Linda Fluhrer, Janet Gray, Jo Ann Club, Bridges Restaurant, Crow Canyon Country Rutherford: Cakebread Cellars Hanna, Scott & Claudia Hein, Steven Jenner, Club, Danville Cigar, Leadership Dynamics, Inc., Stephen Joseph, Geri Keary, Debby Koonce Lisa Evans Portrait Design, Luna Loca, Pascal San Francisco: Asian Art Museum, AWAT Fine Art, Paul Kratter, Roswitha Kress, Shirley French Oven, Piatti Restaurant & Bar, The Organized Productions, Beach Blanket Babylon, California Nootbaar, Ottoman Art Company, Connie Patch, Woman, Tootsie’s of Danville Academy of Sciences, Fairmont Hotel, Patagonia, San Francisco Opera, Scala’s Bistro, SF MOMA Greg Piatt, Liz Piatt, Douglas W. Raymond, Diablo: Diablo Country Club Paul Schorr, Mary Spain, Tom Spitz, Peg San Leandro: Appleby Cleaning & Restoration Steunenberg, Jill Stevenson Ritter, Henry White El Segundo: BIG 5 San Ramon: Advanced Laser & Skin Care, The Individuals: Heath Bartosh, Terry & Kim Foresthill: Somewhere Over The Rainbow Lodge Bridges Golf Club, The Yoga Company, Zachary’s Bass, Sandy Biagi & Sharon Juhnke, Steve & Healdsburg: Hafner Vineyard Chicago Pizza Patti Bort, Joe & Laura Canciamilla, Elizabeth Hercules: Franklin Canyon Golf Sausalito: Bay Area Discovery Museum Diringer Nelson, Charla Gabert, Polly Gould, Scott & Claudia Hein, Brian Hirahara, Chuck & Lafayette: Artisan Bistro, Chevalier Restaurant, Sonoma: Infineon Raceway Susan Husted, Ken Lavin, Bob and Joan Marx, ECOlunchboxes, Mary Frances Accessories, Postino St. Helena: Pride Mountain Vineyards Shirley D. Meloy, Cooper Ogden, David Ogden Livermore: Anderson Arbors, Campo di Bocce, Walnut Creek: Blankies for Grownups, Bonne Nuit & Sandy Biagi, Read and George Phillips, Concannon Vineyard, Crooked Vine Stony Ridge Doug Rowe, Malcolm Sproul, Jeanne Thomas, Lingerie & Lounge Wear, Bowles & Verna LLP, Wineries, Fenestra Winery, Las Positas Golf Course, Broadway Plaza, Brighton, Yogurt Castle, CAbi - Jill Dave & Debby Trotter, David Rains Wallace, Les Chenes Estate Vineyards, McGrail Vineyards and Julie Wallunus Dresser, California Symphony Orchestra, Changes Winery , Murrieta’s Well, Occasio Winery, Paul M. Salon & Day Spa, Diablo Theatre Company, East Alamo: Alamo Optometry, Allure Salon & Bischoff Woodworking, Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Bay Nature, Florali, Gelateria Naia, Healthwise Spa - Tanis Wallunas, Richards The Creative Tamas Estates Winery, The La Rochelle Winery, The Fitness, Kepler’s Golf Repair, Kitchen Table, Marketplace, Round Hill Country Club, The Steven Kent Winery, Wood Family Vineyards Knowles & Murphy, Landscape Design, Life Force New Forli Ristorante, The Patio & Fire Place Martinez: Alhambra Valley Olive Oil Company, Massage, Maria Maria Restaurant, Minoo’s Aesthetic Antioch: Mac’s Old House Bill’s Ace Hardware, doOGle LinHK & Co., Willows Institute, Pyramid Alehouse, Regional Parking, Berkeley: Bay Nature Magazine, Berkeley Theatre Company Inc, Renaissance Club Sport, Rocco’s Ristorante & Repertory Theatre, Bette’s Oceanview Diner, Monterey: Princess Monterey Whale Watching Pizzeria, Rossmoor Golf Shop, Scott Valley Bank, Bistro Liaison, Heyday Books, Lawrence Hall Solid Impact Golf & Fitness, Sports Basement, of Science, OCSC Sailing, Shattuck Hotel, Moraga: Parkmon Vineyards Tiffany & Co., Va de Vi, Walnut Creek Marriott, Shotgun Players, The Marsh Napa: Domaine Carneros Whole Foods Market, Wild Birds Unlimited

Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors Four Days Diablo 2011 Moonlight on the Mountain 2011

ave & ana Dornsife

Charla Gabert and David Frane

Bob and Joan Amara Marx Morrison

Jeanne Thomas

Minuteman Press Lafayette

Additional Sponsors: Clif Bar, Sports Basement, Beets Catering Group, Peets Coffee & Tea, Additional Sponsors: FastFrame, Cresco, Black Diamond Brewing, San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Scott & Claudia Hein AuburnJames Winery, Festra Winery, Occasio Winery, Wente Vineyards, Wood Family Vineyards

14 Save Mount Diablo Acknowledge Tribute Giving Thank you to all of our supporters. Tribute gifts, donations in honor or memory of loved ones, made between January 1st and June 30th, 2011 are listed below. Members are listed in our Annual Report. Your generosity preserves, defends and restores the mountain for all of us to enjoy!

Carol Knowles Kathy Radke Peter & Sharon Files Jim Whitfield and Marilyn Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bette Boatmun John & Ann Noll Wollenweber Gordan Daniel & Teresa Boatwright Friends & Family Ronald & Marie Mahlman Scott Hein Ralph & Carolyn Kraetsch Lorraine Bray Stephanie & Thomas Anoush Zebarjadian Pitcher Sage at Perkins Canyon Lawrence Olin Ron Dorfman & Ken Ilio DiPalma Kevin Lee Margaret “Peg” Kovar An Mari Ericsson Charla Gabert In Memory of Joan Anderson Hulet Hornbeck Janet Frane Heritage Tree Anonymous Raymond & Gloria Magee John Gallagher My Horse Benraz Ali Bette Boatmun John & Jill Mercurio Elisa Dowd In Honor of Carol Donald Sally Dalton Robert Canning Susan Watson David Gavin Jeremy Bloom’s Wish of a Ralph H. & H. Elaine Harvey & Phyllis Ceaser Joyce Robinson Kelly Gavin Lifetime Anderson Angela & Peter Coffee Marguerite & John Harrell Sam & Joyce Gellepes A Heritage Grove David & Sandra Anderson Bob & Elodia Dixon Gary Boyd Rogers Joette Brown Debbie & Jeremy Cotton Wil Atchison Teresa Dobbins Allan & Jennifer Deal Nancy Goldenhar Mary Madison Dottie Dorsett Connie Doty Alan & Nancy Goldenhar Corporate Match Barbara Bentley Ken & Carol Fowler Warren Sommer Toby Gottfried Marilyn & Daniel Smith Beverly & Tom Gorman William and Genevieve Sattler William & Toby Gottfried Advent Software Louise Blodgett Jo Ann Hanna Alfred & Barbara Sattler Bert Hill AT&T Bill & Carole Allen Alice Ann & Lee Ann Howard Soule Ron & Rebecca Yee Bank of America Our Beloved Cat, Carmen Hardy Anne Soule Millie Hill Bank of the West Jill & Bruce Dresser Christine Herron Dorothy Stallings Cornelius & Mary Desmond California Healthcare Ned Castillo Cecil & Geraldine Humes Leslie Servin Hulet Hornbeck Charles Schwab An Mari Ericsson Barnwell W. & Mary Knox Tom Varenchik Lawrence Hornbeck & Chevron Harry Davis Alicia & Mark Litzau Frank & Barbara Varenchik Irene Larson Clif Bar Rudy & Marge Oehm Darrell Mortensen & Faye Waldman Greg Hummel Clorox Ruth Dessert Freitas Barbara Rivara Ron & Sharon Brown Gene & Jeannine Hummel Del Monte Foods Doryce Partridge Frank Moschetti Bob Walker Sharon Layton Ebay Denise Dickenson Smith Gail Murray Scott & Claudia Hein Thomas Smoot GE Barbara Hayworth Constance Regalia & Marc Tim Wasserfall Debbie & Jeff McCarthy, Genentech Jack Ditzel Kiefer Bjorg & Jan Wasserfall Jennifer McCarthy Google Susann Radstrom Drougge Robert & Patricia Rezak John Wells & Pete Otey IBM William & Birgitta Howie Nancy Siegel Gordon & Millie Lindsay Joyce Kelly Kaiser Permanente Ted Dobrowolski Kris Steward Mike McCormack Kennedy/Jenks Consultants Dale & Mary Ellen Valerie Streit Jennifer Mason McLaughlin Levi Strauss Dalgaard Frank & Edith Valle-Riestra Sterling McLean Lubrizol Ron Domer Susan Watson Jeremy & Debbie Cotton Macy’s Ronald & Marcia Carlberg Carole Woods Amara Morrison Mal Warwick & Associates Scott Dowd Sophie & Krista Bill & Nancy Scott Merrill Lynch & Co. Pamela Burnett Anita Taff-Rice Elena Oei Microsoft Jane Dubitzky Carolee LaMar Kendall & Monica Oei Nike Robert & Judith Wilkenfeld Patricia Baran Scott Hein Paul Ogden Nissan Mardi Duffield Ann Langley Crownscale at Thomas property David Ogden & Sandy Oracle Kristine Caratan Ellis Langley, Jr. In Honor of Biagi Pepsico Anna Louise Ferri Laura Lewis Lee Ory Prudential Lawrence Ferri Jane Manning Carol Altwarg Tim Ory & Diana Minnick REI Evans Fielding Patty Morris Lind Sharon & Ted Gordon Carl David Petrofsky Tesoro Steve Fielding Marian Hamlen Dave Anderson Erica Petrofsky Tyco Elinor Fraser Betty Litten Christina & Peter Anderson Brazen Racing Vivendi Universal Joan Cunnings Nancy Siegel Bay Area Trail Runners Sam Fiandaca West Marine Products, Inc. Gail Faber Paula’s Mother, Mary Jay & Jasmin Mumford Ralph Reed Yahoo Connie Forslind Michael & Paula Riley Gary Bogue Alan & Marilyn Lindquist Margery Hines Marieta Matheson Barbara Wilson Marty Roach Michele Lasagna Barbara Hayworth Gray & Blythe Buetzow William Roman Do you have a used Marilyn Pierson Paul McCarthy Elizabeth & Patrick Silva Rowton car that you would Alice Reynolds Mark Hill Callahan Dana Snider Patricia Weik Christopher Meredith Gaylord Burke Save Mount Diablo’s like to donate? George Gambel Geoffrey & Valerie Anonymous Anniversary Call Car Donation Ser- Leslie Servin Meredith California Bill Karieva Ron Gardner Henry Moises Jorge Matos Scott Smith vices at 925-229-5444 and Carolyn Butler Louise Moises Violet, Nancy & Arielle Ed & Kate Kunnes donate your vehicle for the Sue Gianelli Janet Montes Dardarian Malcolm Sproul benefit of SMD. They will Robert & Joye Heide Terry & Glenn Gonzalez Terrance Carroll & Linda Richard & Mary Sproul take care of all paperwork Shirley Green Ruth Moore Dardarian Bill Fisk & Susan Honey Harold Green Bielle Moore Lori & Ray DePole Ron & Rebecca Yee and vehicle pick-up. Marilee Heafey Patricia Morris Raymond & Laura DePole Roselyn Taormina Ginny Miller Patricia Bentley Carl & Audrey Down Sherry Cortez Thomas Patterson Ed & Sandy Krzyzanowski Norman & Lisa Down Dr. David Theis Patricia Sullivan David & Lorraine Lindsey Rolene Walker Jacquette Theis James Hinerman Deanna Lyon Stephen Elliott’s retirement Jeanne Thomas Ted & Janice McKinnon Catherine Monahan Suzette Luer Douglas Jones Thorne W. Holmes Diana O’Rourke Bette & Jim Felton Christina Welcome-Lopez Virginia Holmes Sharon Rubens Michael Jameson Adam Welcome

Nel & Vic Ives Bill & Rita Sharkey Conrad Figueroa Carole & Allan Woods Scott Hein Virginia Ives & Paul Orsay Scott Smith Suzanne Figueroa Steven Pate Salt heliotrope at Thomas Ranch

Preserve Defend Restore Enjoy 15 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Concord, CA Permit No. 525 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 320 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Address Service Requested

Trail Adventure, Sunday, November 6, 2011 Find your adventure at Trail Adventure! With a 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Family Interpretive Hike we’ve got fun for everyone followed by a scrumptious barbecue lunch. The event benefits SMD land programs and is presented by Chevron. So, the good times come with a good feeling — knowing you are helping to save Mount Diablo for people and wildlife to enjoy for generations! (Like preserving volcanic domes - see page 1.) Register for your adventure today! “Safely explore new, unfamiliar terrain. It’s much more of an adventure than any road run you’ll do!” – Dave, Danville Registration and more information are available at SavemountDiablo.org

Save Mount Diablo’s Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors support Save Mount Diablo’s land preservation programs and receive recognition at all events for one year. Call Julie for info at (925) 947-3535.

To preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, Preserve natural lands through This is our home. Preserving natural surrounding foothills, and watersheds acquisition and cooperative efforts. land forever means safeguarding our through land acquisition and Defend Mount Diablo and its foothills quality of life, including our air, water, preservation strategies designed to from threats of development through and views. Only half of Mount Diablo protect the mountain’s natural beauty, land use planning and public education. has been preserved. The other half of biological diversity, and historic and Restore habitat prior to transfer to a the mountain, over 80,000 acres, is agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s public agency for permanent privately owned and still threatened by

Our Mission quality of life; and provide recreational development. That means risking the

What We Do What We preservation and public use. opportunities consistent with the loss of wildlife corridors, ecosystems protection of natural resources. Enjoy Diablo’s parks through events and Care Why We and recreational opportunities. recreational opportunities.