DIABLO watch Save Mount Diablo Protecting the Mountain Since 1971 Summer/Fall 2002 No. 33 4,445 Acres Preserved in 2002 early seven square miles have been preserved this year as additions to Diablo parks!!! The most surprising new proj- The Morgan Red Corral Nects are in Morgan Territory—the preservation of a square In 1989 Save Mount Diablo acquired 631 acres from Willard ‘Bill’ mile east of Morgan Territory Road, and Save Mount Diablo’s Morgan for $1.4 million—a square of landscape draped corner to option of an historic 20 acre property nearby, to serve as a staging corner across Highland Ridge, another corner at Marsh creek and the area for Mt. Diablo State Park. last across the ridge at Tassajara creek in Riggs Canyon. At Cowell Ranch nearly 4000 acres will be preserved as a new We passed that rugged property State Park, surrounding the John to the State Park in the spring of Marsh home. 1990. This created the first con- nection between Mt. Diablo State The Trust for Public Land’s Park and Morgan Territory fundraising success allowed them Regional Preserve. to exercise their option on Cowell in September. Their project There was no place that made would not have been possible sense as a staging area and the without the land use success of property’s April 1989 dedication Greenbelt Alliance, the Sierra took place at Diablo’s summit, Club, Save Mount Diablo and with searchlights marking the others, that culminated in the two parks and the new acquisi- tightening of the Urban Limit tion that connected them. The Morgan Red Corral photo by Scott Hein Line two years ago. On July 10th the Save Mount Diablo Board of Directors approved a A significant addition was made to Black Diamond Mines, and a six month, $25,000 option with Bill and Naomi Morgan for another small one at Lime Ridge that includes a new staging area. Still to 20.05 acre parcel, with a total purchase price of $290,000. The come is the protection of a visually significant property at the North option will be matched by a second $25,000 amount in 90 days. gate entrance to the State Park. SMD has until the end of the year to pay the remaining $240,000.
It’s not all good news, though. Mt. Diablo State Park continues to SMD first toured the property in September 1999 and made an initial suffer an acquisition drought. Only one parcel has been purchased offer soon after. Last year a similar property adjacent to the State for addition to the State Park since 1993, the 66 acre Turtle Rock Park sold for $310,000. Ranch addition. There have been a number of development dedica- tions that Save Mount Diablo has negotiated. Funding for the purchase was awarded to Save Mount Diablo Inside this newsletter you’ll find a special insert. The city of on July 19th, part of a penalty Antioch has designs on nearly eight square miles east of Black paid by the Seeno development Diamond, the largest piece of which is the Sand Creek Specific Plan company for Endangered or FUA#1 (Future Urban Area #1). Species Act and Streambed Alteration permit violations at Meanwhile the County ignored the public in approving the its San Marco project in Combined Tassajara/Alamo Creek projects, despite hundreds of Pittsburg (see “Revenge of the Seth Adams suggested improvements in the proposal. Jumping Frog” article). In SMD‘s Art Bonwell and Bill Morgan addition, Save Mount Diablo Continued on page 8 1 save MOUNT DIABLO
Board of Directors From The Executive Director . . . Save Mount Diablo has been evolving steadily since its inception in 1971. For its Malcolm Sproul first 17 years, the work of the organization was very successfully accomplished President by volunteers. However, the number of projects and complexity of management Arthur Bonwell increased over the years and the organization has grown to currently support three Vice-President full time staff members. Nevertheless, we could not begin to fulfill our many objectives without the continued support of our volunteers. Allan Prager Vice President Elsewhere in this issue you can see how instrumental our volunteers have been and continue to be. For example, the “Spotlight on Volunteers” section focuses on Scott and Claudia Hein and Don de Fremery. Amara Morrison Scott and Claudia's efforts help in a number of different ways and Scott's photography (as you can see in Secretary this issue) help showcase the landscapes that we work to preserve. Don's coordination of Autumn and April on the Mountain, combined with the numerous hikes that he leads, help us interpret the threats and John Mercurio opportunities by bringing people onto the land for first hand experiences. Treasurer In addition to the ongoing work of our volunteer Board of Directors and committees, other individual Burt Bassler volunteers make a major impact. Dave Husted and Marty Breen have teamed up to co-sponsor the annu- Mary L. Bowerman al Trail Adventure that is headed toward becoming a major fundraiser for SMD. Richard Rollins volun- teered his time to photograph the last two Four Days Diablo trips and his photo exhibit (see article Donald de Fremery below) further help us in reaching the public with our message. Doug Knauer helped our annual appeal Stephen Joseph to raise a record amount of funds and Amara Morrison and Steve Mehlman continue to volunteer count- less hours of legal services each year to assist with our land acquisition negotiations and contracts and Doug Knauer conservation easement agreements. Robert Marx Think of ways in which you can make a significant contribution. . . . plan and implement a fundraising Steven Mehlman event . . . recruit, train and deploy volunteers for outreach efforts and community presentations . . . Robert Nunn write foundation grant applications. These are just some the ways that you might be able to help. We all have areas in which we shine. How Dave Sargent might your special talents or skills assist Save Mount Diablo in realizing David Trotter Endangered Species Exhibit: Fire Slide Show Staff A Chronicle of Land Use & Open Space & Hike Ronald Brown Preservation in the San Francisco Bay Area Executive Director Bob Doyle will present a slideshow This exhibit by Richard about the 1977 Mount Diablo fire Rollins will be on display at Seth Adams on Thursday Oct. 3rd at 7:00 p.m. Saint Mary’s College Library Director of Land Programs at the Clayton Library. Bob will in Moraga from October 19 also lead a Save Mount Diablo Suzanne Bitz thru November 27. There “1977 Fire 25th Anniversary Office Manager will be a reception and panel Interpretive Hike” through Donner discussion about land use and & Back Canyons on Sunday, Oct. Publisher open space preservation at the Richard Rollins photo. Looking 6th at 9 am, starting from the end Save Mount Diablo library at 7:00 p.m. on northeast from Laughlin Rd, across of Regency Drive in Clayton. www.savemountdiablo.org Frick Lake, North Livermore Wednesday, October 30. Masthead Panorama Oak Flat, Mt. Diablo Support the cause by purchasing Photo by Stephen Joseph Save Mount Diablo Mountain Merchandise Diablo Watch is published by Save Mount Diablo, a T - Shirts non-profit organization dedi- Navy Blue or Gray cated to preserving land on (100% cotton) Mt. Diablo and educating the Adult Sizes: public to the mountain's nat- S, M, L, XL, XXL ural values. $12.50 Diablo Watch is printed on Coffee Mugs Available in Gray CONTAINS $7.50 SOYOIL Place your credit card order by phone (925) 947-3535, (Master Card, VISA, American Express), recycled paper with a soy or by mailing a check to SMD: 1196 Boulevard Way, #10, Walnut Creek, CA 94595. base ink and can be recycled. Merchandise can be purchased and picked up at SMD’s office or shipped for a $5 charge.
2 Scott Hein Save Mt. Diablo Trail Adventure Held June 1st Sixteen year old Danville resident Scott Bauhs and forty- over Pine Ridge through Diablo Foothills Regional Park two year old Suzanne Cordes from Blackhawk were the and Mt. Diablo State Park, returning through Pine Canyon. top finishers in the first annual “Save Mt. Diablo Trail A Community Expo and barbecue with family activities, Adventure,” a 10 kilometer run and hike held on June 1st. face painting, and community organization information 111 hikers and runners participated and more than $1000 booths were also held with a variety of non-profits and was raised for Save Mount Diablo, the event’s benefici- businesses represented. ary. “We expect this event to grow dramatically and next year The primary event sponsors were Outside Interests (Dave we plan to add a half marathon,” said Ron Brown, Save Husted) and Forward Motion Sports (Marty Breen) on Mount Diablo’s Executive Director. “Anyone interested in Hartz Avenue in Danville. participating in event planning or in becoming an event sponsor should contact me. I’d especially like to thank The challenging course looped above Walnut Creek, Marty Breen of Forward Motion and Dave Husted of Alamo and Danville, from Castle Rock Recreation Area Outside Interests for organizing and supporting this event.”
Join SMD’s E-Mail Visit Our Web Site: United Way www.savemountdiablo.org Distribution List Donor Option In addition to seeing beautiful images of You can designate Save Mount Diablo By signing up for Save Mount Diablo’s the mountain and learning about the histo- as the recipient of your United Way email distruibution list we will be able to ry of Save Mount Diablo and its acquisi- Pledge. When you are asked to make send you our monthly “action alerts” tions, you can also find information about your annual workplace donation, about current land use issues, notices of our current land use planning efforts and please consider designating it to us. If events and activites and images of land- aquisition projects. The web site contains asked, our federal tax ID number is scapes that we are working to preserve. articles from past newsletters and our 94-2681735. monthly Action Alerts. To join the Save Mount Diablo email distribution list, send an email to: Our web site was created by and is regu-
Fire Slide Show & Hike Bob Doyle will present a slideshow about the ’77 fire at the Clayton Library at 7 pm, Thursday Oct. 3rd and will follow up with a Save Mount Diablo “1977 Fire 25th Anniversary Interpretive Hike” looping through Donner & Bill Sattler Back Canyons on Sunday, Oct. 6th at 9 am, starting from the end of Fiery Hell: Twenty-Five Years Later Regency Drive in Clayton. The 1977 Mount Diablo Fire: A First Person Account Bob Doyle: I saw the first lightning hit Mt. 2002 marks the 25th anniversary of one of tain’s south side. Three weeks later the Zion, above the quarries. A little fire start- Diablo’s biggest fires. Lightning and two north side burned. ed then went out, then a second bolt struck years of drought sparked on August 2, Twin Peaks. As I drove to the cabin, Twin 1977 into a conflagration which burned Mount Diablo’s vegetation evolved with Peaks was in flames. The coulter pines 6000 acres. Other lightning strike fires hit and has been shaped by fire for thousands there had been hit hard by bark beetles grasslands throughout the County and over of years. Twenty-five years later many from the previous drought years and it was the next three days most of the mountain’s areas still show the effects of the ‘77 fire, a tinder box. north side burned, from Clayton to the from the skeletons of manzanitas in Donner summit and North Peak, and on to Morgan Canyon and denuded slopes on Eagle Peak, The fire started to go downhill toward the Territory Rd. to bulldozed riparian areas along Mitchell Murchio grasslands at Mitchell Canyon, creek. Back Canyon was hit hardest of all then the canyon updrafts caught it and it The fire was visible from San Francisco, and has changed completely. just exploded, went up Eagle Ridge to Back the mountain appearing to be a smoldering Canyon and over to Meridian Ridge, to volcano, and towering clouds of smoke Bob Doyle, one of Save Mount Diablo’s upper Donner and to North Peak. soared for many miles. Roads were founders, was an East Bay Regional Park jammed with sightseers. District ranger at the time and experienced Then the flames shifted and came down the the fire first hand. Bob is currently east ridge of Donner to Russelmann Park, More than 700 firefighters and a dozen Assistant General Manager & chief of the off Marsh Creek Road. When it got to the cargo planes with chemical retardants Land Division for the Park District, but in manzanita groves and gray pine on the ser- responded to the fire. A backfire was set in 1977 he lived in the Donner cabin near the pentine soils it was just huge - flames over Perkins Canyon and wide fire breaks were end of Regency Drive, just inside the State fifty feet high. They were the largest man- bulldozed. The fire jumped many of them, Park boundary with Clayton. He knows zanitas on the mountain, many of them thir- and walls of flames crested both peaks. the mountain well, witnessed the fire and ty feet high. has since watched the That first night the firemen back burned all Amazingly, not a single house was lost, in mountain’s recovery. large part because big flatland, grassland buffers had been preserved from develop- Soon after the fire, the ment north of the mountain’s peaks. In the Contra Costa Times led a twenty five years since, many houses have public fundraising drive been built in steep, rugged areas around to revegetate the moun- North Peak, especially in Morgan Territory, tain, collecting more than an area that has burned repeatedly over the $17,000 over several past hundred and fifty years. months. Led by Doyle and Save Mount Diablo, There have been more than a hundred fires cooler heads advised that on Diablo since 1891, when record keeping the mountain would began. 1977’s fire was the second largest, recover on its own. after a five day fire July 3-7, 1931 which began in Blackhawk and eventually charred The funds were used 25,000 acres. That fire burned the moun- instead to construct the Thousands of fire poppies the following spring. Photo by Bill Sattler 4 flames would literally run mountain and the groves have expanded. up the pines, which would explode. The head of heat The only Coulter Pine grove that didn’t dried everything in front of come back was on the west face of it and the firefighting Meridian Ridge. A grove there went; chemical retardant wasn’t probably the hottest part of the fire was on having much effect. the East slope of Meridian Ridge—Back Canyon must have been a fiery hell. It They stopped it from going completely changed into a much rockier down the other side east of environment—before the fire it was impen- Donner, and saved the etrable, then it was bare for years, now it’s houses around the Trail starting to get overgrown again twenty-five Ride property and at years later. You can still see the manzani- Russelmann Park. ta skeletons. Bill Sattler Clayton residents were Back Canyon erosion in the spring following the fire very nervous but it mostly Then the mountain slowly recovered. Lots around the canyon and Roger Epperson, went uphill. of toasted birds and squirrels. The grass- John Roskelly and I evacuated from the land came back immediately but larger cabin. It was really smoky and hot but Altogether, the ‘77 fire burned to the sum- shrubs were slower and the trees slower more than anything, I remember the noise - mit, North Peak, Russelmann, into Perkins still. Erosion was intense in the winter explosions and crackling and crunching, Canyon, into Ginochio above Walnut storms afterward. There were no big land- winds ripping up the canyons. Trees were Creek, and was stopped at Juniper Camp. slides but a lot of mud and debris flowed literally exploding. The real core was Mitchell, Back and downstream. The big rains took whole Donner Canyons. The year after, we had tree trunks down the drainages into Dana CDF landed with dozers—they were going the most amazing display of flowers I had Hills and Regency and flooded into the to go right up Donner Canyon and rip a streets. huge firebreak—I persuaded them not to, so they came over Murchio knoll in the Then the Contra Costa Times held its blue oaks, around the cabin and back up fundraising drive. Save Mount Diablo toward Cardinet Oaks. You could hear convinced everybody that the money that them pulling the oaks out by the roots. It had been raised should be used to create a would have really destroyed the canyon, trail about the fire at the summit rather and we were sure it would burn anyway. than to do revegetation. Mary Bowerman Some of the fire breaks were 100-200 feet and Gen and Bill Sattler were very con- wide, you can still see scars today. That cerned about the route—they were going Bill Sattler was the first night. to blast out the rock. I helped design the Construction of the Dr. Mary Leo Bowerman trail with the State and proposed a trestle Fire Interpretive Trail around the summit On the second day it ran up North Peak instead, cantilevered around the rock out- and caught them by surprise coming back ever seen—it sterilized the soil in places croppings. It’s a great trail with great down. Late in the second day it went over and nothing grew, but pockets of fire poppy views and a lot of fire species.{The Diablo Mitchell to Olofson Ridge and came over and golden eardrops were great. Some summit’s Dr. Mary Leo Bowerman Fire into all that chaparral—it exploded the slopes were covered with millions of them. Interpretive Trail circles the summit, start- same way as at Donner, and they lost con- All the annual flowers were incredible, but ing from a small picnic and parking area trol of it again. For a long time you could as you went upslope, a lot of the east face found between the upper and lower sum- see the scars from the erosion. The fire of Eagle and Twin Peaks had nothing for mit parking lots. The first section is level fighters caught it on the Ginochio Ranch, several years. and disabled accessible.} but wherever it hit serpentine soils it took off. What was interesting was that the larger oak trees didn’t die until two weeks later— The park was heavily grazed at the time, their bases caught fire and smoldered into and the grass down from the drought but it charcoal, but the girdling took a couple of didn’t make a bit of difference. Mary weeks to kill them. Bowerman’s {Save Mount Diablo’s co- founder, a botanist and student of the They bulldozed Mitchell creek and White mountain since 1930} analysis was that Canyon creek—both creeks had dozers in there hadn’t been a fire on the north side them from the road on down and all the for as long as she could remember but the riparian vegetation there is new. The only summit and the south side had burned pret- thing in Mitchell that was missed was the ty frequently. Everybody assumed the Coulter pine grove at the bottom of the Donner cabin where I lived would be lost. canyon—the flames jumped that area for some reason. Most of the coulters got it— The biggest flames I saw were on the upper they’re fire pines like knobcones—and the bowl of Donner below the Falls Trail—the regeneration of the coulters is lower in ele- Hetherington Loop really burned hot. The vation now—they’ve moved down the Mary Bowerman and Bob Doyle in 1997 Photo by Susan Kraughto 5 Spotlight on Volunteers
inputted hundreds of names for a new Scott and Claudia Hein landowner database. Both Heins have Don de Fremery, helped with our Diablo Trail backpack- Mr. Hike ing trips. Since 1970 According to Scott, “I have been taking Don de photographs for as long as I can remem- Fremery has ber…we can usually be found running led more than around Northern California and the 600 public Western U.S. ‘naturizing’ with friends. hikes through- Although we are birders, we also try to out the Bay be naturalists and pay attention to all Area, more wild things - reptiles, amphibians, mam- than anyone else these past mals, flowers, dragonflies, butterflies, thirty years. etc.” Last Fall, on a SMD tour with the
Seth Adams He was Antioch Planning Commission (through involved in Richard Rollins “Beautiful photos.” We hear that com- Black Diamond Mines to look at the ment often. The East Bay’s great beauty the creation of the 30-mile Diablo Trail proposed FUA#1 development), Scott and has built many trails while also serv- is partly responsible for the compliments, got a long look at a bobcat and Claudia ing on the Boards of a half-dozen local but Save Mount Diablo is also blessed wished she had come along. A few trail and conservation groups, including with the work of many outstanding vol- months later, however, on a trip to Save Mount Diablo and the Mount Diablo unteer photographers. You may notice Arizona, Scott was wishing he’d taken Interpretive Association. Don is respon- that this issue of Diablo Watch carries a that last hike with Claudia—for the first sible for the coordination of the "April on theme beyond the need to save more of time she experienced watching a moun- the Mountain" and "Autumn on the this beautiful land—most of the photo- tain lion - for several long minutes. Mountain" hike schedules. A third gener- graphs in this issue are by Scott Hein, an ation native Californian, Don lives in amazing photographer who captures You can see other examples of Scott’s Alamo with his wife Neysa. wildlife equally as well as landscapes. work at
What sealed the deal, at 25% of appraised value, was that when the detention basin was constructed, the State Department of Water Resources (DWR) provided 75% of the funding. If the parcel was sold, Flood Control would have to pay back 75% of any proceeds. Senator Tom Torlakson interceded with DWR, which agreed to forgive its share if the proceeds are used for flood control projects and if the property remains open space. The Mount Diablo Gateway property, in foreground. Photo by Scott Hein. Gateway Parcel to be Preserved Walnut Creek has endorsed the project and it’s expected that the East Bay at Mount Diablo's North Gate Regional Park District will accept and monitor the easement and recreational Unanimous!!! After four years of work acquired as a site for the deposit of soils improvements. The Park District has by the Mt. Diablo Gateway Alliance and removed from the neighboring Pine challenged the City to contribute by Save Mount Diablo, on May 21st Contra Creek detention basin. Afterwards, agreeing to match its commitment. Costa County Supervisors unanimously Flood Control began pursuing develop- Other agencies and funders are being approved a $1.559 million deal to pre- ment to recoup costs and for other flood approached and all the parties are meet- serve a surplus parcel at the State Park’s control needs. ing to finalize easement details. North Gate entrance, the Mt. Diablo Gateway property. Owned by the County Crossed by Arroyo del Cerro creek, $250,000 has already been raised in a Flood Control and Water Conservation which joins Pine and Walker creeks in grant sponsored by former Senator District and adjacent to Diablo Foothills the detention basin wetlands below, the Richard Rainey, and the Alliance is one Regional Park, the 36-acre property had property is visible from throughout third of the way toward it’s $200,000 been proposed for 34 luxury homes. The Central County and is prized by local goal. Supervisors’ action gives the organiza- painters such as Shirley Nootbaar for its tions two years to purchase a conserva- outstanding view of Mt. Diablo. Contributions toward the property’s tion easement on the property which had Incredible 360 degree panoramas include preservation can be made to: Save been appraised at between $6.2 and $8.5 parks in every direction, up Pine Canyon Mount Diablo-Gateway, 1196 Boulevard million. to Castle Rock in one direction and all Way #10, Walnut Creek, CA 94595, 925 the way to the North Bay in the other. 947-3535, www.savemountdiablo.org “This deal is a result of the efforts of a few individuals—especially the The Nootbaars and Hanna catalyzed Alliance’s Bob and Shirley Nootbaar, and efforts to preserve Joann Hanna—who committed to raising this visual ‘gateway’ private funds to compensate the County,” to the mountain and said Supervisor Donna Gerber, who facil- formed the Alliance, itated the deal. “They’ve proven that pri- which has committed vate residents really can make a differ- to raising $200,000 ence. Save Mount Diablo was instru- privately. Save mental in negotiations and in fundraising Mount Diablo is and Flood Control Director Mitch Avalon serving as the is to be congratulated for his vision in Alliance’s non-profit working for a win-win for the County, its fiscal sponsor. residents, and the environment.” For more than a year The property, which is inside the Urban the Alliance, Save Limit Line and part of the County’s Mount Diablo, North Gate Specific Plan, was originally Supervisor Gerber Scott Hein photo of a mighty oak on the Gateway property 7 Morgan Red Corral, continued from page 1 side were also uncomplicated by the Mexican What’s in a map? Rancho holdings dominating the west. In one Save Mount Diablo attempts to track every year Morgan was reported to have killed 46 parcel around Mt. Diablo, from Walnut Creek bears, in addition to deer and elk. to Livermore to Brentwood. Our office is a map lover’s dream. Parcel maps, develop- Although the grizzlies and elk are long gone, ment proposals, trail and topographic maps, the east side became known as Morgan satellite images all cover Director of Land Territory for ‘Jerry’ Morgan and his family. Programs Seth Adams’ walls, layered on top Jerry, however, called it “the morning side of of each other, even hanging on the ceiling. the mountain” for the way Diablo’s eastern We’ve also begun mapping locations of rare slopes lit up at sunrise. species.
Jeremiah Morgan claimed 10,000 acres but lost In Morgan Territory, where large parcels half his first year in Morgan Territory and was change hands more slowly, the job’s a little down to 2,000 acres after the official first gov- easier. When a parcel’s assessors’ record ernment survey in 1862. By 1901 he owned changes to the name of a developer, however, 1,440 acres—2 and ¼ sections (a section is 640 it’s very threatening. For fifteen years acres or one square mile). Adams has stared at one such developer- owned parcel in the heart of Morgan Ignoring existing land claims, the federal gov- Territory, as the edges of the Regional ernment deeded odd-numbered sections in the Preserve and the State Park expanded toward area to Charles McLaughlin for constructing it. the Western Pacific Railroad, and the even- Circa 1882, courtesy of CCC Historical Society numbered sections to the railroads themselves. Morgan lost a lawsuit challenging the federal has agreed to create a plaque, to be placed on Revenge of the grants and by the time of his death in 1906 he the property, which will describe the history of had lost or sold the remainder of his property. the Morgan family in Morgan Territory. Jumping Frog His descendants later re-acquired a number of parcels including the ‘red corral.’ Morgan Territory Ranch: 640 The beautiful ‘red corral’ property rises east acres to be preserved from Marsh creek and Morgan Territory Rd., During the period from 1986 to present, Save across from SMD’s previous 631-acre Morgan Mount Diablo, the State of California and the “Well, thish-yer Smiley… He Ranch addition to the State Park. The parcel is East Bay Regional Park District have acquired ketched a frog one day…and said known for its red cattle chute and fences, eleven parcels between Morgan Territory he cal’klated to edercate which were constructed in 1963 or ’64 and are Regional Preserve and Mt. Diablo State Park. him…And you bet you he did learn him, too. located on what had been a pioneer house site. These lands include most of Riggs Canyon, He’d give him a little punch behind, and the A foot of fill dirt was used to cover the house’s and total 4,774 acres, tripling the size of the next minute you’d see that frog whirling in the rock wall basement, thereby avoiding damage Regional Preserve from 1,524 acres to 4,387 air like a doughnut — see him turn one sum- from the corral and its occupants. acres. merset, or may be a couple, if he got a good start, and come down flat-footed and all right, Marsh creek and its flood plain provide excel- In 1993, SMD proposed the 30-mile Diablo like a cat. He got him up so in the matter of lent riparian habitat for the federally listed Trail, to highlight the regional cooperation catching flies, and kept him in practice so con- ‘threatened’ California red-legged frog and which resulted in this recreational corridor stant, that he’d nail a fly every time as far as other species, and are lined with mature across six he could see him. Smiley said all a frog wanted sycamore, big leaf maple, oaks and bay. A fire public parks was education, and he could do most any thing road crosses the stream at the 931’ elevation and water- — and I believe him. Why, I’ve seen him set and rises up the property to 1200’ through scat- sheds, from Dan’l Webster down here on this floor — Dan’l tered oaks and grassland. Walnut Webster was the name of the frog — and sing Creek to out, “Flies, Dan’l, flies!” and quicker’n you The site includes dramatic views of Diablo, Brentwood could wink, he’d spring straight up, and snake Highland Ridge and Windy Point, and offers and a fly off’n the counter there, and flop down on the potential for a small staging area in the Livermore. the floor again as solid as a gob of mud, and future. fall to scratching the side of his head with his The Red hind foot as indifferent as if he hadn’t no idea The property is also known for its interesting Corral he’d been doin’ any more’n any frog might history. Bill Morgan is the great grandson of acquisition do.” Jeremiah Morgan, who arrived in California’s will encour- Mark Twain, The Celebrated Jumping Frog of gold mines in 1849, but made more money age new Calaveras County, 1867 hunting game than mining. He first visited Mt. access to Diablo’s east side around 1856 from his home Twain’s celebrated jumping frog near Angel’s Mount in the Ygnacio Valley, and then moved there Camp was a California red-legged frog, Rana Diablo State the following October because the bear hunt- aurora draytonii, the largest native ranid frog Park and to ing was so good. in California and living in still or slow water. the Diablo At the turn of the century, red-legged frogs trail. Photo by Scott Hein The prospects for cattle grazing on the east Continued on page 9 8 The southeast quarter of the peak is within the Preserve, and the northwest section of “No- Name” (one square mile or 640 acres) is owned by developer Albert Seeno, Jr. His “Morgan Territory Ranch” includes a small hunting cabin, a broad diversity of habitat and spectacular panoramic views. Deep canyons and sycamore shaded ravines separate oak-bay woodland, grassy slopes and large patches of chaparral. There is a large pond near the prop- erty’s highest point, near the peak. Fire roads loop through the property and along the ridge.
The Morgan Territory Ranch (fore & midground) slopes from a high peak down to Marsh creek, with dramatic views of Windy Point, Highland Ridge and Mt. Diablo. Photo by Scott Hein
Frogs continued from page 8 “No-Name” peak and Morgan were harvested for their legs. Because of over- Territory Ranch harvesting, populations declined dramatically. Bullfrogs were introduced as a substitute and, When you start south through Morgan along with non-native fish, ate and replaced the Territory, east of Diablo’s summit, on its beau- red-leggeds and their eggs. Dam construction tiful scenic road of the same name, after a few poses a threat and along with exotic plant miles the road narrows to one lane and enters a species, destroys and fragments habitat; reser- heavily wooded stream canyon. Two long voirs favor aquatic predators; road-building ridges—Highland Ridge to the west and silts pools; flood projects and grazing along Morgan Territory Ridge to the east—parallel streams destroy emergent vegetation. Like the road, squeezing the headwaters of Marsh Sycamores line the property’s canyons. many amphibians, frogs breathe at least partial- creek, rising and merging, then trailing south- Photo by Scott Hein ly through their skins and pollution from east toward Altamont Pass. garbage, sewage, pesticides and other chemi- cals contaminate the waters of their habitat. Numerous peaks stand out along these ridges. Seeno & Associates Only recently has it become known that they 2,112’ Windy Point is one, west of the road along Highland, at the northwest corner of Albert Seeno, Sr. started Seeno & Associates in use powerful antibiotics to avoid bacterial 1938 and his development companies have invasion through their permeable skins. SMD’s Silva Ranch. Mt. Diablo’s summit is Northern California’s central survey point, been powerful in Contra Costa County for quartered by an east-west baseline and a north- decades, especially in Pittsburg. Albert Seeno, Red-leggeds have disappeared from more than Jr. took over the company before his father three quarters of their historic range and are south meridian, and Windy Point is quartered by section lines, too. died several years ago. Seeno companies have found from the coast inland to Redding and built more than 30,000 homes throughout the south to northern Baja. In 1996 the frog was western states, including Concord and Eastern declared a threatened species by the U.S. Fish As if a mirror image, east of the road another peak rises, at 2,139’ almost identical in eleva- Contra Costa County. Many of them were and Wildlife Service; none have been seen in “affordable.” The family has other interests, Calaveras County since 1975. Today, tion to Windy Point, also quartered, and unnamed, a dramatic rise along Morgan including casinos. Last year Seeno & California red-legged frogs are known from Associates was the county’s 7th less than 250 streams. Just four of these popu- Territory Ridge. Just outside the north- ernmost corner of the Regional Preserve, largest taxpayer, exceed- lations include more than 350 adults. Until a ed only by five oil recent settlement with the Building Industry it forces the road west to cross and recross Marsh creek. At sunset the peak’s & energy com- Association by the Bush administration, in panies and which it agreed to review an earlier decision, high grassy slopes shine like a beacon as the mountain’s shadows obscure the lower parts of Pacific the Mt. Diablo area was designated critical Bell. habitat for the frog. Diablo includes many red- the ridge. Except for errant mountain bikers, legged populations in relatively high numbers, almost no one goes there because only a steep heavily dependant on cattle stock ponds. dead end trail approaches it, far from the Preserve staging area, ending at a private prop- erty boundary and “No-Trespassing” signs. Image c. of Earth Justice Continued on page 10 9 Map by Save Mount Diablo, satellite imagery courtesy of SATimaging, www.satimaging.com Map by Save Mount Diablo, satellite imagery courtesy of SATimaging, Recent land preservation projects around the mountain, including the Morgan red corral (#1), the Seeno conservation easement (#2), and other projects discussed in this issue. Save Mount Diablo works to protect wildlife and recreational corridors--in this satellite image you can make out some of the area’s landforms, which direct wildlife movement and recreational use. Park boundaries show that if just two small gaps are acquired a’ring’ of open space will encircle Morgan Territory, an area where acquisition is very important but ranchette development is threatening.
Seeno continued from page 9 other conditions. Instead ponds and creeks Despite the developer’s influence, on were filled, and riparian vegetation repeat- August 9th DFG suspended its Streambed edly ripped out without authorization. Alteration permit, citing five state permit Seeno companies have a his- Nicole Kozicki, the DFG’s local warden, violations and destruction of habitat for the tory of project and environ- saw the work and investigated for viola- threatened California red-legged frog and mental regulation violations and for filing tions. California tiger salamander. The frog is list- lawsuits to protect their interests. In 1989 ed as ‘threatened’ under the ESA; the tiger Save Mount Diablo exposed the cutting of Seeno Company representatives claimed salamander is a ‘candidate’ species for fed- oaks before environmental analysis at the that they weren’t violating the permit or the eral listing. Crystyl Ranch project and led a referendum Endangered Species Act. In 1991 however, which overturned Concord’s approval of California red-legged frogs, a federal The Contra Costa County District the project. Ultimately units were reduced threatened species, were confirmed on Attorney’s Office began investigating vio- almost by half, and project open space was Seeno’s adjacent Oak Hill project within lations of Department of Fish & Game expanded from 30 to 330 acres. the same watershed and recorded in the codes, while the U.S. Attorney’s office DFG’s California Natural Diversity Data investigated Endangered Species Act viola- In 1997 Pittsburg residents overturned an Base (CNDDB). In March 2001, biotic tions. approval for a Seeno casino there. Just east consultants hired by Seeno confirmed the of Willow Pass and the Concord Naval frogs at the two San Marco site ponds and Weapons Station, however, the 2,938-unit noted, “excellent CRLF ponds—healthy San Marco development was easily breeding population” representing dozens The Map and the Frog approved on a steep 639-acre site along of adults and hundreds of tadpoles. The news became widely known locally Bailey Road. Houses are now under con- and on November 15th was reported in the struction. Seeno Jr. has admitted that he told an Contra Costa Times. SMD has worked A Frog & A Game Warden employee in March or April of 2001 to closely with DFG’s Kozicki. Suspecting drain two ponds at the construction site “to In order to build the massive San Marco mitigation might be required as part of a destroy the [frogs] and [their] habitat.” On project, Seeno got a streambed alteration penalty or settlement, we provided Kozicki May 8th, 2001, Kozicki noticed that the permit from the California Department of with a parcel map of the Diablo area show- ponds were dry. On June 14th she found a Fish and Game (DFG) to fill 2.9 acres of ing the Seeno property on dead frog in one of the pond sites and wetlands. He was instructed to survey for ‘No-Name’ peak. Given began enforcement proceedings. endangered species, among a variety of confirmations of the frog’s
10 presence in every direction around “No-Name”, we were confident it would also be found there.
Subsequently Fish & Game confirmed the presence of the threatened frog, the rare Mt. Diablo globe lily, and habitat suitable for the federally listed Alameda whipsnake.
On June 28th, 2002, Seeno’s company, West Coast Homebuilders Inc. of Concord, was charged in U.S. District Court in Oakland with two counts of violating the Endangered Species Act. Seeno did not face charges personally.
On July 19th convictions were reached and a penalty approved: a $1 million fine,
preservation of Seeno’s 640-acre Morgan Scott Hein Territory Ranch hunting property with a Dave & Barbara Walters leading a hike past the Newry dedication to Black Diamond Mines. conservation easement, and a public apolo- The new property (beyond the fence and left of the road cut) will allow an extension of the gy. Seeno’s company was placed on three Ridge Trail. The Higgins Ranch, part of Antoch’s proposed FUA#1 development, is at right. years probation. Seeno was given the right to retain two small building sites low on property was acquired, Black Diamond state park and 218 acres has been sold to the Ranch’s western edge and a hunting Mines Regional Preserve looked sort of the County flood control district for the cabin in a canyon near the southern edge. like a horse shoe on trail maps, with its potential expansion of their reservoir. A Seeno retains ownership of the property but “Ridge Trail” rising from the saddle whole host of state agencies provided it will be protected in perpetuity. Fish & between the coal mining ghost towns of funding. Game will monitor the easement for viola- Somersville and Stewartville, wrapping tions. around the hole in the horseshoe, then dropping to the park’s eastern edge where Sand Quarry Staging $300,000 of the $1 million penalty was it joined the Stewartville Trail. The ridge Area to Open Soon and trail (not to be confused with the “Bay awarded to Save Mount Diablo for preser- In last Fall’s Diablo Watch, we discussed Area Ridge Trail”, overlooking San vation of red-legged frog habitat. It will be the grading for the Montecito project in Francisco Bay) provide some of the most used to acquire the Morgan ‘red corral’ Concord, on Lime Ridge at the intersec- spectacular views in the Bay Area. On property less than ¼ mile from the Morgan tion of Cowell Rd. and Ygnacio. Save March 19th, the Board of Directors of the Territory Ranch. The access road for Mount Diablo was successful in preserv- East Bay Regional Park District accepted Seeno’s ranch starts at the red corral. (See ing a 35-acre section of the ridge to the the 184.15 acre Newry development dedi- “The Morgan Red Corral” article) west of the development, and a new stag- cation, which will allow extension of the ing area has been built and will open to Ridge Trail almost to Empire Mine Road. If Seeno had followed the rules, he would the public in the next few weeks. Newry borders Antioch’s proposed FUA#1 have been forced to mitigate by protecting Concord is expected to add the 35-acre development (see the enclosed Community red-legged frog habitat and wetlands, on a area to Lime Ridge Open Space in the Alert). far smaller area and probably at another next few months. Another 300 acres from location from his project. Instead, a threat- the Crystyl Ranch development should ened square mile parcel in Morgan have already been dedicated—we’ll keep Territory—as large as the San Marco prop- you posted. erty Seeno is developing—has been saved Cowell Ranch from future development . Preserved Tremendous credit in this story goes to the Our last Diablo Watch included a history of state Department of Fish & Game and to Cowell Ranch and Rancho Los Meganos warden Nicole Kozicki for taking on one of (you can read it on our website, www.save- the state’s biggest developers. mountdiablo.org ), as well as efforts to pre- The Newry Acquisition: serve this huge grassland surrounding the 14-acre John Marsh Home and the Marsh Black Diamond Creek reservoir. On September 16th, 2002, Ridge Trail the Trust for Public Land will have exer- cised its option to buy Cowell Ranch from Extended the S.H. Cowell Foundation for $13.5 mil- Until 1998, when the lion. 3,647 acres will be added to the 14 acre John Marsh Home to create a new 772 acre Garaventa Sticky Chinese Houses, c. Scott Hein 11 Opposing Views...
...between the Diablo summit and Altamont connect Diablo to other public lands to the We need your help in order to continue Pass show the amazing diversity of the south, such as the Ohlone Wilderness and our work to save Mount Diablo mountain’s habitats and vegetation--grass- Henry Coe State Park. We’ll get to enjoy land on southern facing slopes and heavily those public recreational corridors, too, wooded areas on northern facing ones-- and the vistas they protect. Top photo courtesy of which support very different wildlife John Woodbury species. In the photo below, you can see that devel- (Bay Area Open Space Council; opment in Livermore to the west and Tracy Buckeye leaf photo & bottom photo Conservation biologists believe that many to the east has already narrowed the courtesy of Scott Hein large animal species, especially predators Altamont ‘gap’ to just six miles. How the like mountain lions and bobcats, may need land is protected is important, too. In the as much as 1000 square miles of contigu- photo above, you might be able to make ous open space to survive over the long out the 2.5 mile wide Los Vaqueros reser- term. North of Highway 580 we have pro- voir (at right, center), a serious barrier for tected about 125 square miles around many species. If Los Vaqueros is expand- Diablo. ed, as is currently proposed, the wildlife corridor from Mt. Diablo south will be nar- If our animal neighbors, which currently rowed further still. rely on large areas of private, threatened land, are to survive, it’s important that we
12 compromise. The San Ramon Valley Regional Planning Commission had voted to oppose the project. Other opponents included a host of community and environ- mental groups including Save Mount Diablo, and the cities of Danville and San Ramon, which have sued the County to overturn the approval.
In 2000, the Board tightened the County’s Urban Limit Line but left inside the line the 1000 acres proposed for the Tassajara development. Including grading of 8.5 million cubic yards of earth, the project will generate 13,000 car trips daily, strain water supplies, destroy wildlife habitat and impact the County Urban Limit Line and agricultural lands.
Save Mount Diablo’s concerns could have
Scott Hein easily been met. Number one was preser- approved the Combined Tassajara projects vation of a major ridge line. Left in the The Combined (the largest part is known as ‘Alamo project was a Daly City-styled line of Tassajara Developments Creek’) stretching south and east from houses which breaks project open space in Blackhawk. In doing so they over ruled two. It affects steep slopes, and is higher Four Supervisors ignore the Supervisor Donna Gerber, in whose district in elevation than Walnut Creek’s Shell the project is located and who fought long Ridge, Lafayette’s Burton Ridge, the public; vote to approve 1400 and hard for improvements. They also Franklin Hills above Martinez, the units and to build on a ignored the public that had suggested hun- Sobrante Ridge, or Willow Pass or Kirker dreds of positive changes. Pass. Our second major goal was preser- major ridgeline vation of an open space corridor from On July 9th four Contra Costa County The developers, Braddock & Logan, Hidden Valley open space north toward Supervisors—Mark De Saulnier, John Gioia, Shapell Industries, and Ponderosa Homes, Mt. Diablo - to buffer the Urban Limit Federal Glover and Gayle Uilkema— were handed a complete victory, without Line. Both of our goals were ignored. Four Days Diablo An elegant experience In April Save Mount Diablo led its second Four Days Diablo backpack trip. The four day -three night adventure takes partici- pants from Shell Ridge Open Space in Walnut Creek to the Round Valley Regional Preserve in Brentwood. The Participants only had to carry a day pack entire route is on permanently protected with their water and a catered box lunch (provided by Sunrise Cafe). Sleeping open space and crosses only two narrow bags, tents and other food were transport- roads used by auto traffic. ed from site to site by SMD volunteers.
As you can imagine, participants get to see Each day’s dinner is a catered feast. beautiful and lush landscapes and thou- Above, Prima’s Executive Chef, Peter sands of wildflowers. They learn about the Chastain, General Manager Marco geologic and cultural history of the land Powell and staff member Rory prepare the first night’s meal, which is served on and have experts helping to identify the the elegantly prepared table (china & flora and fauna. These photos depict some linen provided by Sunrise Catering). of the experiences that participants might Prima owner, Michael Verlander helped not have expected to be part of the trip. to prepare and serve the second night’s As participants arrive in camp at the end of the day, they are dinner). Each evening ends with a guest lecture. The first night’s was about These photos are just from the first day. greeted with iced drinks and receiv assistance in setting up Diablo myths,legends and folklore. You can only imagine how great the next 3 their tents and inflating their AIR MATTRESSES!!! days were. The next trip will take place in April of 2003. Call the SMD office to reserve your spot, or to get more informa- tion. Space is limited 20 to participants. Don’t miss out!!
13 The father of Gloria Handel In Memory of Leslie Servin Land Fund Dorothy Kroll Bowman Doris Harrison Glorya Anderson-Weber Victoria De Goff Gayle & Leslie Servin Willard Ballenger Wanda Carmona Wyle Hemphill Bob Benson Margaret Murphy Charles & Marjorie John & Jean Cain Jane & Grover Peterson Evans Reno & Shea Cervelli Gertrude, Jerry & Pat Toby Theodore Johnson Billy & Kristine Coleman Winkenbach Don & Carole Johnson Sharon Cummins Dorothy Stuckert Scott Hein Alby Quinlan & Alan Ellen Kaste Dinah L. Darvas Owl Schmidt Ruth Eseltine Hope Dick William & Marion Richard Kinninger Eric & Karoline Doberenz General Donations Kendrick Jessica Kinninger Colin & Sara Gillies Robert & Elizabeth Kerley Robert Hanson Sara Grajek Robert & Gertrude Allen Roger & Joanne McGowan John M Chamberlain Leland & Betty Misner Mary Hook Jack Anderson Gloria McLaughlin Joe & Sandy Fox Bertell & Mary Black Donald & Carole Johnson Eleanor Arnberg James Rolph Moore Al & Debbie Fuller Charles Content Anandamayi & Tara Joyce H. Munson Greg & Cam Fox Carol Lane Anne Matthew Arnold Sylvia Nachlinger David & Diane Hartman Rose E. McKinnon Sam & Barbara Beeler Philippa Nigg Jon Ericsson Beverly Fox Elaine Owyang Anthony Biebl Andrew Noymer An Mari Ericsson Greg & Jackie Hall Warren & Irene Peters Duan Bjerke David Ogden & Sandi Jack Eseltine Ron & Laura Haines Constance Regalia David & Beverly Bortin Biagi Hank & Marcella Colarich Jane Banks Hazel Sawyer Alexander Brennen & Dave Olkkola - Olkkola Rachel Caimol & Joyce Thelma Benjamin Stan & Linda Stanley Wendy Nile Chiropractic Aurellano Rosemary & Daniel B.M. & Gloria Tiernan Debbie Campbell Dave Husted - Outside Martha Tiedeman Koepke Albert Capron Interests Janet Wenninger Bette Boatmun John Lasagna Connie Chapman Christopher & Margaret Kenneth Winters Rose Berta Doreen Whitcomb Rosemarie Chiavini Panton G.M. Bradley Anton L. Lerud William Chilcote Allen & Susan Pirkle Diana Desirello Kristine & Billy Coleman Howard & Betty Coates Marjorie & Theodore Plant Drs. Ruzicka & Lacey Concord Garden Club Lawrence Prager Optometrists Tom "Boots" Lombardo Contra Costa Hills Club Vonnie Read CFT OPEIU Members Mike Hudson Richard Cordes John Richardson Donna Siu Elsie Lowe Susan D'Alcamo & Don Elsie Richey Judie Smith Amy Prince Potter Tom & Ulla Rieger Debra O'Connor Donald McKay John & Thelma Dana Kenneth & Ellen Ristad Josie Gloria Jacklyn MacKenzie Wayland & Marion Alice Ropchan Cheryl Crosby Valley Oak Dawson Leslie Rosenfeld Eleanor Polo - wife, mother, Courtesy of Scott Hein Rosanna Wiebe grandmother Mark & Elaine Day Earl & Kathy Sawyer California Classified Glen & Georgene Daniel & Mae Scalabrini Ralph, JoAnn & Nancy Organization Project Hanna In Honor of Deardorff Allen & Alyce Schwartz Staff, AFT/CFT/AFL- John S. Deeming Arlene Scoles John Raventos CIO Seth Adams Diablo Hiking Club Roger & Helen Smith Patricia & Gerald Steve & Sue Pucci Regional Parks Robert Evangelisti Hyron & Bette Spinrad Donegan Andy, Sarah & Amy Foundation / Botanic Jacquelyn Fava George & Helene Strauss Lovick Dorothy Riggs Garden Docents W. J. Frank Tony Suh & Suzanne Leith Antoinette Dodge John & Susan Tullis Elwood Gerrits Fred & Georgine Sullivan Seth Adams' 40th Birthday Anonymous Niel Snortum Bruce J. Granicher Velta Suna Bovey Scott & Claudia Hein Elizabeth Snortum Marjorie Grennan Alan & Karen Talbot Robert Feighner Suzanne Bitz Dorothy Himel Gerald & Carol Templeton Jeanne Thomas Robert Spragens Arthur Bonwell Donald & Jane Houser Todd & Barbara Tillinghast Anna Ferri Charles & Marjorie Acalanes Chapter, Margaret Jaros R. F. & M.K Van Cantfort Larry Ferri Evans Daughter's of the R. Peter Johnson & Susan Peter Van Der Naillen Mike Granados Kae Fort Stickney American Revolution Neyer John & Norine Vouri Gayle & Leslie Servin Mary Ellen Fort Bob Doyle's 50th Birthday Arthur & Jacqueline Jones Eleanor Wagnor Lea Strzelecki Ron & Sharon Brown David & Kathleen Jones Sandra Watson Charles & Marjorie Kent Fickett & Rebecca Jordana Katcher Paul Werner & Patricia Evans Beemer Vannie & David Keightley Smith James & Beverly Lane Helen Kimball John Wild Heritage Tree Natalie Elam's Fifth Elizabeth King-Sloan Kenneth Winters Birthday Helen Knopp Ronald M. Woods Kathryn "Kay" & Kenneth Grandparents John & Carolee Lamar-Larson Philip & Barbara Wright Collins - (5 acre grove) Maridel Moulton Daniel B. Luten Collins-Kersels Family Craig & Peggy Lyon Contributions were Bruce Collins Family Naomi Giddings The Wednesday Walkers John Maclay made from Scott Hein Vic and Nel Ives - James & Emily January 23 thru Red Tail Hawk (1 acre grove) Jane Manning McCormick July 31, 2002 Anonymous Sally Manning 14 Membership Matters Save Mount Diablo’s annual operating expenses are underwritten by the financial support we receive from membership revenue. In addition to providing financial support, the number of members we have is a statement to legislators and others about the level of community support for our projects. We would like to thank the following individuals who have become members since mid-December of 2000. We invite you to join them in supporting Save Mount Diablo’s efforts to preserve open space. Michael Sewell Summit Club John McCorduck Terri Costello Joyce Kelly Ed & Gwen Regalia ($1,000 or more) Steve Mehlman Douglas Cox Doris Klein Charles Rickenbacher Amara Morrison Phillip & Jean David Ted Kloth John Roebuck John & Jane Ausman Theron Nelson Bradley & Carol Davis Hans Korve Michael Rosenblum Braddock & Logan Services Peter Oakeshott Harold Davis Robin Kreske Leslie Rosenfeld Dave & Dana Dornsife Lawrence Peirano Richard Davis & Sandra Jesse & Sharon Krider James & Ann Saavedra Joe & Betty Goldstein Walter & Mary Rogers Jones Richard Larson Al & Mary Anne Sanborn Douglas Lacey & Cindy Howard & Gene Rudiger Vickie Dawes Steve Larson Edgar & Jean Sanderson Silvani-Lacey Steve Savin & Chandra Smith Don de Fremery Philip Lathrap Leanore Sanderson Robert & Shirley Nootbaar Stewart & Bette Schuster Donald & Charlotte Deam Robert & Lynne Leach Martin Sargent Allison & Mike Robinson Monica Sheridan John & Susan Dean Tom Lee Ed & Julie Sattler Richard Rollins Henry Stauffer John Deeming Jeffrey & Deborah Leighton Melvin & Pat Sayre Meredith Rose Jim Thompson Carl Dinerman & Marianne Lillian Lemon Leo & Maryann Schindler James & Patricia Scofield Kathleen Toups & Dorian White James Lingel Arlene Scoles Diana Selig Liepman Jack & Ami Ditzel David Lingren Andrew Sessler Richard & Sandra Smith David & Deborah Trotter Carl & Audrey Down Michael & Jennifer Lloyd Rich & Ann Sexton Mildred Snelson Earl & Marlys Worden Lee & Barbara Drew David Loeb David Short Benson Tongue Pauline Yan Michael & Chryl Dumas Patricia Lopez Heidi Slocomb George & Sarah Zimmerman John Edwards Bob & Eleanor Loynd Dave Smith Diablo Donor Peak Guardian Stephen Elliott Michael & Joanna Lyon Diane Smith ($100 or more) ($500 or more) Tony & Marie Emerson Michael Magnani Kathryn Smith Barbara Ageno Russ & Patty Erickson David Marcus & Karen Ron & Judy Smith Bryant & Inga Bennett Glenn Alex Riley & Karen Etheridge Friedman Beth Snortum Dina Colman & David Al & Jeanne Alexander Gus & Sugar Filice Vicki Marlow Gregg & Anne Sorensen Luczynski Roger Alperin George Finger Bunny Martin Malcolm & Casey Sproul Steve Evans & Kathleen Arthur Amos Paul & Kathy Fitzpatrick Martha Martin Stan & Linda Stanley Correia Paul & Hanako Andrews Jim & Debbie Fleming Patty McClain Andrew & Karen Stein Lee Glasgow Rollin & Millicent Armer Susana Fousekis James McClaskey Dean & Samantha Stoker Scott & Claudia Hein Andy Aston Paul, Lisa & Kelsey Francis Jim & Phyllis McDonald Kermit Sveen Peggie Howell David Baer WJ Frank Winton & Margaret Patricia Thomas Jean Masonek Wayne & Karen Barker Jack & Maureen Fritschi McKibben Patricia Thunen Dean Morris William & Diane Barley Kathy Fuller Mark McLaren & Nancy Tom & Jill Toffoli David Ogden & Sandi Biagi James Bartlett & Mimi Foord John & Teena Gallagher Norland Rose Tom Joyce Sattler & Brian Cook Virginia Bary Al & Pat Gavello John & Jill Mercurio Terry Toranto Franklin & Barbara Burt Bassler Barbara George Ethel Meyer David & Kristen Trisko Varenchik Patty Battersby Donna Gerber Barbara Monsler Mary Ulrich Betty Woolverton Claude & Carol Benedix Bingham & Larry Gibbs James Rolph Moore Frank & Edith Valle-Riestra Mountain Saver Edward & Mildred Bennett Garrett and Cathy Girvan Mark & Marie Morley Verne Van Vlear William Bernell David & Diane Goldsmith Andrew Mortl Barbara Walters ($250 or more) Anne Blandin Daniel Gorman Maynard Munger Sharon Walters Judy & Andy Adler Bette Boatmun Charles Gresham Carl Myers Valerie Warburton Glorya Anderson-Weber Marchetta Bowdle Donald & Melinda Groom David & Margaret Nicholas Mitchell & Ann Ward Bill & Joyce Ashurst Malcolm & Sylvia Boyce Richard & Faye Guarienti Craig Nielsen Douglas & Ruth Waterman Mary Baldwin Don & Jeanne Boyd Liede-Marie Haitsma Henry Nigro Tom & Carolyn Westhoff Lesley Benn Kate Boyle Sydney & Helen Hammill Elizabeth O’Shea David Whippy Lynn & Rick Bergquist Lynn & Butch Brear Mona Hansen Michael Ogles Hugh & Alice White Donna Buessing Alex Brendel Russ & Cyndie Harrison Charles & Ann Olsen Martha Whittaker James & Carolyn Butler Anne Brock Kathy Hart & Donna King Orinda Garden Club Ayn Wieskamp Kaye Decker Pauline Browne Roz Hirsch Orinda Hiking Club Kenneth Winters David Frane Raymond & Patricia Buck Michael & Nadine Hitchcock Verna Osborn Ann Witter Liana Genovesi & Scott Richard & Lois Bunyard Donald & Sandy Hoffman Tom & Nancy Patten John Wohr & Stephanie Ahrendt Bill & Kelly Burmeister Harmon & Joan Howard John Patterson Simmonds Carol Greaves Pam Butler Noel Hurd Lisa Pellegrino Hobie & Ann Woods Peter & Judi Hagen Janet Caldwell Susan Inman Brad & Trish Piatt Milo Zarakov & Deborah Eric & Debbie Hinzel Ken Calloway R.John Jeffrey E.L. & Carol Pollock Long Sandy Hood John & Jane Cambus James & Toril Jelter Rita Poppenk G & D Zellingers David & Lois Kail Patrick & Shirley Campbell Jackiel Joseph & Gail Donald & Mary Lou Priewe Donald & Carolyn Zerby John Kiefer Harvey & Phyllis Ceaser Gordon Jeffrey Radigan Gordon & Lynn Lakso Alan & Kathleen Clute Pam & Mark Kan Bill Ralph Friends ($35 or more) David Lampe Nancy Collins Robert Katz James & Melissa Rease 622 individuals or families James & Beverly Lane Janice Costella Richard Kawin Connie Regalia are members in this Joanne McCarthy category. 15 Thanks to Our Business Partners Save Mount Diablo is grateful to the fol- lowing businesses that make significant contributions towards the success of our mission. We encourage our members and friends to frequent these businesses and thank them for supporting us.
Sunrise Bistro, Cafe & Catering Walnut Creek, Cindy Gershen Prima Ristorante Walnut Creek, Michael Verlander, Peter Chastain & Marco Powell Outside Interests Danville Dave Husted Let Us Send Your Holiday Greetings Forward Motion Sports Do you have a difficult time figuring out tion. We will send each person on your list Danville & Walnut Creek what would be an appropriate holiday gift a beautiful holiday card of Mount Diablo Marty Breen for your clients, business associates, neigh- covered in snow (the Scott Hein photo bors, friends and relatives? above - except the image will be in color on Diablo Analytical the greeting card). Each card will include a Concord If so, we have a suggestion for you. Rather personalized message from you, or if Scott Hein than struggling to think of the right gifts requested, we can provide a standard holi- LSA Associates and then actually buying them and mailing day greeting message. or delivering them, just donate the money Point Richmond to Save Mount Diablo. This coming holi- Donations, address lists and messages need Malcolm Sproul day season send us a list of the names of to be received at the SMD office no later Wild Bird Center the people (along with their addresses) you than December 2. For more information, Walnut Creek, are honoring with your tax deductible dona- call Suzanne at the office, 925-947-3535. Joanie & Chris Smith 16
Save Mount Diablo's Mission . . In support of our mission, Save Mount Diablo: other organizations to increase open space; To secure through acquisition and preserva- • Creates dedicated open space from land • Monitors land-use planning; tion, the open space necessary to support the acquired through gifts, purchases & coopera- • Aids in the restoration of habitat and preser- full range of biological diversity and to insure tive efforts with public and private entities; vation of rare species; the integrity of Mt. Diablo's natural beauty. • Educates the public about threats to the • Offers technical assistance to agencies and mountain; neighborhood groups with regard to securing Founded in 1971, Save Mount Diablo has • Works with landowners to preserve their open space; been instrumental in increasing open space on property while realizing economic benefits; • Works diligently to raise funds necessary to and around the mountain from 6,788 acres to • Works in partnership with Mt. Diablo State support Save Mount Diablo's mission. more than 81,000 acres. Park, East Bay Regional Park District, and
Non-Profit save MOUNT DIABLO Organization 1196 Boulevard Way, Suite 10 U.S. Postage Paid Walnut Creek, CA 94595 Concord, CA Address Service Requested Permit No. 525