DIABLO watch Save Protecting the Mountain Since 1971 Fall 2008 No. 46 Marsh Creek-II & III November 4th, 2008 17 Acres and 35 Acres Protected YES on Measure WW – Water, Parks & Wildlife Extending the Regional Park District’s Measure AA Save Mount Diablo has just protected two parcels on the eastern ridge of East Bay Regional Park District’s 1,030 acre Clayton Ranch http://www.yesforparks.org/ land bank, at the mouth of Dark Canyon. 17 acre Marsh Creek-II was purchased at the end of May, and 35 acres of the 38-acre Marsh Voting Yes on Measure WW is the single most important thing you Creek-III property was protected with an easement in July with the can do this November to benefit Mt. Diablo and our local environ- help of Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan Bonilla. ment. Save Mount Diablo is helping to lead the campaign for the proposed extension of Last Fall we announced East Bay Regional Park a project called Marsh District’s 1988 Measure Creek-I, a nine-acre prop- AA, which expires soon. erty crossed by Marsh Creek. Parcels along Over the past twenty Marsh Creek are a prior- years AA helped to ity because the creek is acquire over 34,000 acres a unifying geographic and a hundred miles of feature east of Mt. Diablo, trail, and funded hun- the longest, least devel- dreds of capital park oped creek in the county, and recreation projects, passing through a region including funding for we’ve almost completely every city in the East surrounded with preserved Bay. The extension land. We’re piecing requires a two-thirds together parks, ridges and vote, will not increase creeks in this “doughnut taxes (they would con- hole.” tinue at the same level as under Measure AA) and Marsh Creek is also an would raise $500 million important wildlife corri- for new park acquisitions dor, beginning in Morgan and projects. Territory Regional Preserve and Mt. Diablo Why is Measure WW important? It would pro- State Park and flowing SMD’s new Marsh Creek-II property and the view of Mt. Diablo (Scott Hein) to Round Valley Regional tect another 30-35,000 Preserve and Los Meganos (Cowell Ranch) State Park on its way to acres. It’s no secret that Alameda and Contra Costa Counties have the Delta. Our hope in naming Marsh Creek-I was that we would experienced intense development pressure since World War II – in protect and/or acquire additional parcels along the creek. Sometime fact, except for tiny County, the two East Bay coun- in the future we’re looking forward to seeing steelhead runs re-estab- ties are in last place in the Bay Area in percentages of protected open lished up the creek. space vs. developed areas, and also per capita (acres of open space vs. numbers of residents). Marin County has a much larger percent- Dark Canyon age of open space (53% vs. East Bay counties’ 22% and 24%, and 7- From the Town of Clayton, Marsh Creek Road skirts Mt. Diablo’s 10 times as much per person). Even Santa Clara has twice as many northern flank, rising over the “Divide” from the Mt. Diablo creek protected acres as Alameda or Contra Costa. watershed on the west and to its namesake creek on the east. The two creeks were probably once connected but as Mt. Diablo was Measure WW is the key to balancing projected growth and in pro- forced higher by earthquakes and tectonic forces, they were divided tecting our last, best open spaces. More than $65 million is specifi- and Marsh Creek doubled back on itself to drain east. cally allocated for parks around Mt. Diablo. In addition city park and recreation project funding (based on population) would include (continued on page 7) (continued on page 10) 1 save MOUNT DIABLO From the Executive Director The need to support the East Bay Regional Park District’s Measure WW Board of Directors Malcolm Sproul Despite being a relatively small organization, the successes of Save Mount Diablo’s land President preservation efforts have had a dramatic impact on our community. Over the years we have Amara Morrison developed knowledge and experience that have given our organization visibility and recogni- Secretary tion in the community. We have become one of the “go-to” organizations for participation in local and regional land use planning, as well as in growth management and quality of life Frank Varenchik initiatives. Treasurer Burt Bassler Mary Bowerman and Art Bonwell established Save Mount Diablo in 1971 as a vehicle for generating more sup- Arthur Bonwell port for the continued protection and expansion of Mt. Diablo. Those of you who have been tracking our growth Dana Dornsife and evolution over the past 37 years will recognize that much of our success is due to the relationships we have Charla Gabert developed and the support we receive from our strategic partners. Our relationships are diverse - elected officials, John Gallagher unions, home builders, the business community, chambers of commerce, environmental organizations, hiking and Claudia Hein garden clubs, and statewide and regional governmental agencies. Scott Hein Michael Hitchcock When Mary and Art created SMD, little did they realize that it would be an alliance with the East Bay Regional David Husted Park District (EBRPD) that would lead to some of our greatest successes. Together our two organizations’ shared vision and joint efforts have made dramatic impacts on protecting the natural lands that surround our community. Doug Knauer The result: acquisition of new regional parks and preserves, creation of recreational and wildlife corridors linking Allan Prager Diablo’s state, regional and other parks and piecing together habitat for both rare and more common wildlife, and Dave Sargent protection and restoration of streams and watersheds. Read more about this history in this newsletter. David Trotter Sharon Walters A significant portion of these accomplishments has come as a result of EBRPD’s AA Bond measure that was Staff passed in 1988. This property tax assessment has helped to preserve tens of thousands of acres of parklands and Ronald Brown preserves throughout our region. However, Measure AA’s twenty year life is coming to an end. The Park District Executive Director has been diligently developing a plan to extend this measure for another 20 years; the extension has just been titled “Measure WW.” If approved by at least two-thirds of the voters on November 4th, Measure WW will allow the Seth Adams EBRPD and SMD to continue our joint efforts in preserving thousands of additional acres--without raising taxes. Director of Land Programs Julie Seelen We urge you to join Save Mount Diablo and the East Bay Regional Park District in working for the passage of Development Manager Measure WW. It will be one of dozens of candidates and bond measures on the November 4th ballot. We need to make sure that our friends, neighbors and business associates know about Measure WW and are encouraged to vote Monica Oei in favor. This measure is merely an extension of an existing minimal assessment (less than $10 per $100,000 of Administration & Finance assessed value; less than your daily newspaper) that property owners have been paying for 20 years. This measure Manager will NOT raise anyone’s taxes, but its passage will raise the quality of life in our community for future generations. Troy Bristol Land Conservation Associate Save Mount Diablo is taking a major leadership role in the campaign for this measure and we invite you to join with us in this effort. Please contact me at the SMD office if you can make a financial contribution to the campaign Kim Bratton and/or if you would like to become more involved by volunteering to work on the campaign. For more information Development Associate about the projects that will be supported by Measure WW, read the article elsewhere in this issue of Diablo Watch Veronica Potts or go to www.yesforparks.org. Administrative Assistant Remember: On November 4th, Vote Yes for Parks – Vote Yes on Measure WW . Nora Sanchez Administrative Assistant Publisher Buy a Tree, Save a Mountain My family and I are long-time Save Mount Diablo members, volunteers, and supporters, so Save Mount Diablo when I officially became a senior citizen this summer, my wife, Sandy, chose to mark the 1901 Olympic Blvd. Ste 220 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 milestone by donating a Heritage Tree at Chaparral Spring, in my name. I felt honored. 925-947-3535; fax 925-947-0642 SMD created the Heritage Tree program at Chaparral Spring in 1994 as a way to help pay www.savemountdiablo.org for the property. To date, more than 150 people have participated, dedicating 76 trees and Founded in 1971, Save Mount 36 groves. A list of the honorees and their donors is posted on a kiosk at the entrance to the Diablo has been instrumental in property. expanding preserved natural lands on and around the mountain from Walking through the property—down a canyon slope here, through an oak woodland there, 6,788 acres to more than 90,000 disturbing a looking for breakfast as we negotiated a creek bed—triggered a flurry of acres. thoughts and emotions. I imagined our kids (Casey, 18, and Cooper, 11) bringing their kids Masthead Panorama: here, wondered how different the land would look in 50, 100 years. I felt, if not immortal, at least long-lasting. It took Dragon Oaks 550, Stephen Joseph two more trips to the property before I found it, a buckeye on the edge of a creek, below a pond. It was an adolescent, I guessed, 20 or 30 years old, its branches spreading up and out, esthetic, well-balanced, creating a perfect canopy. Diablo Watch is printed on recycled paper with a soy base You can be a donor too. It’s a unique gift and a special way to honor someone important in your life. Buy a tree (or a ink and can be recycled. grove), and save a mountain. This program will be ending soon when we turn the property over to the East Bay Region- al Park District. Call Julie at SMD, 947-3535 for more information or to set up a time to pick out your tree or grove. CONTAINS —David Ogden T SOYOIL 9 2 take them slowly you’re few hundred feet down the Highland Ridge quickly rewarded with Road, a narrow trail goes up the slope and amazing views. In evening doubles back to a wonderful overlook or it’s not uncommon to see lunch spot (red star on map), with dramatic a bobcat, or feral views of the amphitheater, Riggs Canyon, pigs, and white-tailed kites Oyster Point, Cave Point, Windy Point and must nest nearby because the main Diablo peaks. they’re often around. The dust of the fire road is revealing in Take the center Morgan summer and fall, dimpled and pilled—High- Creek Road. It’s a classic land Ridge and its trees funnel fog toward Mt. Diablo stream canyon, Altamont Pass and comb water droplets to fragrant oak-bay woodland the earth. Stay left past the Crestview Road with scattered sycamores and views down into another branch of and big leaf maples, shaded Riggs Canyon and you’ll rise to panoramas for much of its length. In of the crest of Highland Ridge to the south, Schwartz property from Morgan Ridge (Scott Hein) summer buckeyes appear its upper elevations and west side a pastoral dead with dry brown leaves Sound of Music grassland landscape. The See The New but they’re just dormant to save water. views back to Mt. Diablo are even more Schwartz Property impressive. You’ll loop counter clockwise to the ridge and Hike Morgan Ridge, back. This time of year the slopes are colorful As you reach the trail junction with the Mt. Diablo State Park with the pinks and reds of poison oak leaves Morgan Ridge Road (go left onto it), you’ll By Seth Adams which will soon litter the ground. Even in the have a full view (red star on map) of the new dry season you can see the distinctive seed Schwartz property across the canyon and Trails: Morgan Creek Road to Highland pods of fritillary and fairy lanterns, and hear Marsh Creek drainage to the east. (You can Ridge Road to Morgan Ridge Road birds rustling in dry leaves as you climb past also continue right, up Highland Ridge for Distance: 2.55 mile loop. Elevation Gain/ moss-covered tree trunks. a longer hike or ride; in a few hundred feet Loss: 725’ Time: 90 minutes. you’ll pass from the State Park into Morgan Start: Morgan Red Corral, on Morgan Ter- Territory Regional Preserve). ritory Road, 4.5 miles south of Marsh Creek Road or 4.5 miles north of the Morgan Ter- Morgan Territory Road is out of site at ritory RP staging area where there are water the canyon bottom, but is marked by large & bathrooms. vertical chaparral stands, rust colored in fall Notes: Ideal for mountain bikes. with the seed pods of chamise, the habitat’s dominant species. The Schwartz property East Bay Regional Park District has op- stretches from a graveled fire road on the tioned the 153-acre Schwartz property as left, to a large grassland above the chapar- an addition to Morgan Territory Regional ral, and right of what appears to be a small Preserve and must complete purchase by jagged peak—the actual high point is a February. The property is not yet acces- Riggs Canyon view to Mission Peak (Scott Hein) grassland table top a little further east. sible but it’s easily viewed from the Morgan Ridge Trail or Highland Ridge, across the Notice the oak seedlings that have begun ap- As you continue on the Morgan Ridge Road road in SMD’s Morgan Ranch addition to pearing since grazing was eliminated from the back to the start you’ll get a good view of Mt. Diablo State Park. property. As you climb from the stream can- the entire route you’ve taken. The trail will yon’s humidity into the breezes, the oak trunks get a little steep and slippery as it descends The starting point is the Morgan Red Corral exchange their moss coverings for patterns of through woodland back to the stream can- (red star on map) on Morgan Territory Road, grey lichen. The view opens up too, first to the yon, but you’ll be glad you’re not traveling which SMD acquired and transferred to Morgan Ridge Trail at left, your return route, the loop in reverse. Mt. Diablo State Park last year as a future then to Highland Ridge above. North Peak and staging area. The easy to find red corral is Windy Point come into the view north as you across the road from the Morgan Ranch, reach golden grasslands. a nearly square 631-acres draped over Highland Ridge with a corner at Morgan Just before you reach the Highland Ridge Road Territory Road and another in Riggs Canyon there’s a last, stupidly steep climb but it’s just at Tassajara Creek. a few hundred feet. Clayton Ranch, Kreiger Peak and Black Diamond Mines come into The trail head accesses three State Park trails view to the north. and may one day also access the Regional Preserve. It’s a great place from which to Go left onto the Highland Ridge Road. (Al- reach Riggs Canyon and the rocky rim of ternately you can head right into incredible the Morgan amphitheater. The trails edge Riggs Canyon). The low slope at right (west) and split a beautiful tree-filled bowl which is is deceptively wooded; you can easily miss verdant in a thousand shades of green. The that it’s the rocky rim of cliffs dropping several trails all have short steep sections but if you hundred feet into the Morgan amphitheater. A Hike up to Highland Ridge to view Schwartz (SMD) 3 ers approved an open works because ultimately it’s the ecosystem space bond measure in that supports biodiversity.” 1974 that preserved these lands in perpetuity.” “David Gowen deserves a lot of credit,” said Leigh Johnson, an Associate Professor “These species were at Brigham Young University and the rec- hiding right under our ognized expert of the genus in which one noses. Their locations of the new species is found, “amateur’s not are being kept secret to the right word…he has this great power protect them,” said Seth of observation, he pays close attention to Adams, Director of Land detail. If he hadn’t done that then the plant Programs for SMD, would have been overlooked.” which helped to create the Open Space. “This is “Lime Ridge is an interesting place; it’s a big deal, two new spe- why I’ve directed botanists there,” said David Gowen with the navarretia he discovered. (Scott Hein) cies in a tiny area on the Barbara Ertter, Curator of Western North edge of development. It’s American Flora at Jepson, and co-author of Gowen’s Navarretia and incredible that there are still unexplored areas The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mount with eight million people within an hour’s Diablo, , 2nd edition. “The earli- the Lime Ridge Woollystar drive.” est collections are by Bowerman, who got Two New Plant Species special access since mining was still in Discovered at Lime Ridge “Lime Ridge is spectacular but it’s not pris- operation. There’s no record of what grew tine,” said Bob Simmons, the President of the there prior to mining; one can easily visual- Lightning has struck twice in Walnut Creek, WCOSF which also helped preserve Lime ize the Lime Ridge Navarretia and the Lime CA, at Lime Ridge Open Space, a biodiver- Ridge and which restores native plants and Ridge Woollystar being tiny remnants of a sity hot spot of just three square miles but wildlife there and which advises the city on lime-adapted set of plants.” including roughly 35 rare species. David management. “These plants managed to sur- Gowen, an amateur botanist associated with vive in less than 2,000 acres—the spots where David Gowen, Amateur Botanist the California Native Plant Society, has dis- they grow probably total less than an acre. David Gowen is a retired carpenter who covered two new plant species never before They’re on the critical edge of extinction--it’s lives in Oakland and spends much of his described by science. The discovery is star- up to us to make sure that they’re not lost.” time botanizing. Although he’s 62, you’d tling because the area is easily accessible never know it. About 6’, wiry and fit, he and it has been studied by botanists for 150 “The two new species are annuals,” said smiles all the time and looks about 45 or years. Conservation efforts are underway. Heath Bartosh, Chair of the Rare Plants 50—and hikes fast up steep slopes whether Committee of CNPS. “They flower, seed there’s a trail or not. He is positive and The discovery of the two new plants, two and die each year then grow from seed the enthusiastic, and humble and shy. pretty and related wildflowers in the phlox next year. They’re only found in small areas. family, which resemble star shaped flower- Nonetheless we announced the discovery to A native who moved studded pin cushions, was announced in help support conservation and biodiversity to the Bay Area in 1965, his life has been June by the California Native Plant Society protection. Lime Ridge Navarretia has already characterized by succeeding obsessions cen- (CNPS), Save Mount Diablo (SMD), the been given the highest level of protection tered on the outdoors. He collected snakes Walnut Creek Open Space Foundation through CNPS’s Rare Plant Inventory. Once as a kid, raised hawks and bird watched, (WCOSF), the City of Walnut Creek, and the Woollystar is described we will be pursu- which led to hang gliding, became a run- U.C. Berkeley’s Jepson Herbarium (Jepson). ing the same Inventory protection for it.” ner and triathlete, then stumbled on botany, (Continued on page 15) “This isn’t in some foreign country or in the “These discoveries may be just the tip of the boonies,” said David Gowen, both plants’ iceberg,” said Ron Brown, Executive Director discoverer, “it’s the heart of an urbanized of SMD. “Mt. Diablo has one of the healthiest, environment where famous botanists have most important ecosystems in the Bay Area. worked. This same three square mile area It’s the crown jewel of the East Bay. The dis- has more than thirty other rare species.” coveries underscore the need to preserve and buffer the mountain’s biological richness. If The plants, the Lime Ridge Navarretia we can find two new species in a small area, it (Navarretia gowenii) and the Lime Ridge makes you wonder what else is out there, what Woollystar (Eriastrum sp. nov.) miracu- other secrets does Mt. Diablo hold?” lously survived a hundred years of quarry- ing and other activities until their habitat “We need to conserve large, diverse areas, was protected. Both have been confirmed including ones adjacent to urban areas,” said as new species by genetic and other testing. Laura Baker, Conservation Chair and board Both are critically and globally endangered member of CNPS, “to protect as-yet-undiscov- given tiny habitats and small numbers. ered species. Native plant species, especially rare species, are not as well known to the pub- “What a gift that the people of Walnut lic. Sometimes they’re hiding in plain sight. Creek had the foresight to protect this area.” Identifying them is just the first step in protec- said Brad Rovanpera, Public Information tion. We need to know more about the role of Officer for the city, “Walnut Creek vot- these species and how the overall ecosystem Lime Ridge navarretia (Scott Hein) 4 Civilian Conservation Corps. as parklands. {Interesting aside: Sproul Around the country many became president of the EBRPD and a municipal services had been member of its board from 1958 to 1967; provided by private compa- Malcolm Sproul, his grandson, is the cur- nies, water, fire, and police rent president of Save Mount Diablo}. A services, for example. As cit- number of the park groups were reorganized ies grew larger—the East Bay as the East Bay Regional Park Association. had grown from about 100,000 residents in 1890 to 400,000 Oakland’s Kahn Foundation helped fund in 1920—and infrastructure a study by the Olmsted Brothers, a land- projects (such as roads, power scape architecture firm run by the sons of plants and bridges) more cost- Frederick Law Olmsted Sr., who designed ly, private companies had trou- New York’s Central Park. The firm had just ble keeping up with demand. completed a comprehensive survey for the new California State Park System. New governmental entities were created to insure urban The 1930 Olmsted-Hall Report, Proposed services were available at Park Reservations for East Bay Cities, was John Nejedly & Park Council president Hulet Hornbeck propose a a 41-page feasibility study with maps and Briones park to County Supervisor John Silva in 1961 (H. Hornbeck) reasonable prices. Among the services being discussed were pictures, and emphasized preservation of Not a single picnic table... recreational areas and parks, often associated easily accessible land for multiple uses. It with reservoirs and water supply projects. urged EBMUD to preserve its surplus lands History of the Regional Park noting that the 150-square-mile area served District & Contra Costa County In the East Bay, water was provided by pri- by the Utility District, with a growing popu- By Seth Adams vate companies which owned small reservoirs lation of almost half a million, was deficient and surrounding lands. Water shortages had in parklands compared to other cities. It On January 31, 1931, during the harsh become common and a severe drought in 1923 recommended a 10-11,000 acre park system economic times of the Great Depression, a led to formation of the East Bay Municipal extending 22 miles along the East Bay hills thousand East Bay residents met in Oakland Utility District, to provide public water. above nine Bay shoreline cities. to discuss something more hopeful: forma- EBMUD bought up local water companies tion of an entirely new government entity, a and eventually built Sierra reservoirs on the EBMUD rejected the request. The regional regional park district. Mokelumne River. Smaller local reservoirs’ concept was new and untried. It was salt in uses changed from primary storage of local the wound that a public that had been used Note: Save Mount Diablo is focused on land water to hold Sierra water as it was piped in. to tramping in the hills also suddenly faced preservation; this article is a short synopsis fences and “no trespassing” signs on the of the East Bay Regional Park District’s In 1928 EBMUD completed the consolidation lands EBMUD owned. political and geographic history. The Park of the water supply by acquiring the East Bay District, of course, has many other facets Water Company including its large land hold- In response, the fateful meeting was held on and is award-winning in many areas, from ings. It was decided that 10,000 acres along January 31, 1931. A petition campaign was public safety to finance, design and environ- the ridgeline from Richmond to Hayward were organized and 14,000 signatures were col- mental education, to name just a few. no longer needed. They were declared surplus lected to support AB 1114, state legislation and plans made to sell them. authorizing establishment of a regional park The First Wave of Conservation district, a board to govern it, and a tax to The East Bay had been at the center of the Local residents were alarmed. “Robert finance it. It was the first law of its kind in environmental movement since 1892 when Sibley, Executive Manager of the University the . Governor Rolph signed the Sierra Club was founded, led by its first of California Alumni Association, was one of AB 1114 into law on August 3, 1933, to be president, Martinez resident John Muir, and the prime catalysts. Hiking in the hills above (Continued on page 12) other community leaders, many of them Berkeley while recovering from an illness, he associated with the University of California had grown to love those woods and streams. at Berkeley. Aided by President Teddy As his wife Carol recalled years later, ‘The Roosevelt, the Sierra Club was focused day it was reported in the newspapers that the on creation of national parks and forest EBMUD was going to give up its holdings reserves, the first wave of conservation, but here in the hills, he went right down to city also helped popularize hiking in the East officials and said, “These valuable pieces of Bay hills and at Mt. Diablo. land ought to be preserved forever.”’

The Contra Costa Hills Club was founded in East Bay Regional Park District 1920 and local chapters of the Sierra Club In 1928 Sibley and others including U.C. began being formed in 1924, the first here Berkeley’s Robert Gordon Sproul and Major in the . They began Charles Tilden organized the East Bay publishing schedules of local walks. Metropolitan Park Association, with the goal of creating a chain of parks along the East The Second Wave of Conservation Bay hills. The Park Association was joined The decades around the turn of the 19th by the Contra Costa Hills Club, the Sierra century ushered in a new wave of urban Club, the East Bay Planning Association, the planning, and a second wave of conserva- Oakland Park League, the Oakland Recreation tion began, extending through World War II, Commission, and other civic organizations in The Olmsted report proposed a string of parks the Works Progress Administration and the petitioning EBMUD to retain the 10,000 acres along the Oakland Berkeley hills (EBRPD) 5 Morgan Territory Ridge. The of remaining Measure AA funding and it is quadrant is almost completely hoped that the balance needed to complete surrounded by SMD’s Morgan the transaction will be developed in part- Ranch and Morgan Red Corral nership with the East Contra Costa Habitat additions to Mt. Diablo State Conservancy. Measure WW, the Park Park, by Morgan Territory District’s proposed extension of Measure Regional Preserve (the south- AA on the November ballot, could also pro- east quarter) and by the Seeno vide funds if approved by the voters. Morgan Territory Ranch (the northwest quarter), which SMD See the Schwartz Property (article on and the Dept. of Fish & Game page 3): You can view Schwartz from the preserved in 2001. Morgan Ridge Road and Highland Ridge Trails in neighboring Mt. Diablo State Park, The property rises from Morgan beginning at the Morgan Red Corral staging Territory Road and Marsh area, on Morgan Territory Road 4.5 miles Mosaic of different habitats on the Schwartz property (Seth Adams) Creek onto the slopes of the south of Marsh Creek Road. peak, and includes a signifi- Schwartz Property Optioned cant stretch of the creek. From above it looks 153 acres for Morgan Territory like the splayed fingers of a pianist’s hand, fingertips resting at the creek, steep wooded Another stretch of upper Marsh Creek, drainages between the fingers. Oak woodland, and slopes rising above, is to be preserved grassland and oak savannah are striped across under a deal approved on August 5th by the the “hand” with large patches of chaparral. East Bay Regional Park District’s Board of Directors. The District has optioned the 153 Owned by the Schwartz family for more acre Schwartz Property for $803,800, with a than 130 years, the parcel is sure to support $25,000 option payment and final payment California red-legged frog, Alameda whip- of the balance by February 2009. snake, Mt. Diablo globe lily and Diablo sun- flower, and includes views of Mt. Diablo to the Schwartz is part of the southwest quar- north and Mt. Hamilton to the south. The down payment was from small amounts ter of a large unnamed peak (2139’) on Schwartz is surrounded by public lands (SMD)

On Friday, our 25 scientists and (including seven rare species) and 345 experts set up camera traps; baited insects and other arthropods! One beetle boards; placed small mammal and found during the search confirms a new insect pit traps and black lights, location for this recently described species. used taped calls to draw in birds, spot lighted hillsides, etc. We took Around the time of the BioBlitz, we got a moonlight hike and a few of the more exciting news: David Gowen discov- experts camped out, a few stayed ered two new wildflower species in Lime up late recording species attracted Ridge Open Space (see related article). to the lights, and one stayed up These finds remind us of the importance of all night searching for spiders and our mission to preserve Mount Diablo. scorpions. On Saturday about a hundred people wandered around. Other highlights were three golden eagles, You should have seen all the kids Coopers and sharp-shinned hawks, and two Experts place small mammal traps at BioBlitz (Scott Hein) catching tadpoles and frogs. kinds of owls; a coyote with a ground squir- BioBlitz: 24 hours at rel in his mouth; unusual birds like a Say’s By event’s end, our volunteers had found 575 phoebe; a rattlesnake, a king snake, a west- Mangini & Lime Ridge species, including several rare ones, reaffirm- ern horned lizard--its coloration was chalky 575 Species, Several Rare ing the Mount Diablo foothills as a hot spot grey like the area’s lime soils; two kinds of for biodiversity. By contrast, last year’s Irish scorpions. A king bird nested in a huge val- On an unusually hot May weekend in Canyon BioBlitz recorded 297 species. ley oak which was home to a bee hive. Concord, volunteer scientists and local residents gathered at Save Mount Diablo’s Among rare species found were a California SMD invited the public to join experts at BioBlitz 2008 to count wildlife species at red-legged frog (a threatened species), three BioBlitz, which was generously sponsored our Mangini Ranch property and adjacent golden eagles, and tracks from both a moun- by REI. Participants searched for species Lime Ridge Open Space, to discover the tre- tain lion and an American badger (since we and took guided walks. The event was fun mendous biodiversity in our own backyard. didn’t actually see those last two mammals, for the whole family with children’s activi- they’re not included in the count). ties by Lindsay Wildlife Museum and SMD SMD preserved 208-acre Mangini Ranch in volunteers. REI representatives were on site January of 2007. We fenced sensitive areas In total, we counted 57 bird species, sev- with their PEAK (Promoting Environmental to restore habitat; BioBlitz was an opportu- en kinds of reptiles, three amphibian species, Awareness in Kids) program. Plan on nity to record the results. four mammals, 159 different kinds of plants attending BioBlitz 2009 next year.

6 first ever equestrian trail ride event. The Diablo experience they had. As one rider put it, “I Trail Endurance Ride, took place on June 21 had a wonderful time riding the Diablo Trail and offered riders a 30-mile limited distance Endurance Ride. The food was good, the and 50-mile endurance ride starting and finish- people friendly and the course was fun and ing at Castle Rock Park in Walnut Creek. challenging.”

Despite triple-digit temperatures, over 100 Save Mount Diablo is very grateful to Bay riders came out to Castle Rock to participate. Area Barns and Trails, Mancini’s Sleepworld After checking in and vetting their horses, rid- and all of our other generous sponsors and ers, their crew members, friends and family supporters for helping to make this ride pos-

(Scott Hein) enjoyed a barbeque dinner, provided by Cuz’ns sible. For several years, Save Mount Diablo Save Mount Diablo’s First BBQ, and live bluegrass music. The next morn- has offered biking, running, and hiking ing, the riders headed out on the course at 5:30 events for Mount Diablo enthusiasts. We Equestrian Trail Ride a.m. were excited to have this wonderful oppor- tunity to connect with a new community of This summer, SMD added another recre- Our capable ride management kept all horses people who love Mount Diablo and engage ational opportunity to our event program and riders safe in the hot weather conditions, them in our work to protect the beautiful with the Diablo Trail Endurance Ride, our and many riders commented on what a great natural lands that we all treasure.

the road and creek, and higher eleva- Contra Costa County Supervisor Susan tions rising up a blue oak woodland Bonilla facilitated meetings between SMD, canyon and onto a knoll. Its biological the Park District and the applicants and ulti- resources are modest—large and beau- mately agreement was reached. The project tiful oaks and a seven foot tall cattle was decreased to two new units within 1 culvert at the bottom of the canyon acre building envelopes, a 1.5 acre envelope that can be used as a wildlife under- was placed around the existing house, and crossing to the creek. Its real value is a conservation easement was required over as a puzzle piece in the Marsh Creek the remaining 35 acres. A long list of other corridor. development conditions was also required. On July 2 the County Board of Supervisors Aesthetically, it’s a different story. approved the compromise. The property is highly visible with incredible views of Mt. Diablo to Acquisition & Land Use Marsh Creek-II rises from the creek up a canyon (Scott Hein) the west and of Dark Canyon to the These two adjacent properties protect blue Marsh Creek II & III (cont. from page 1) east—and therein was both the threat oak woodland from the creek to Clayton and the opportunity. The previous owners had Ranch, and represent two very different The road passes between Mt. Diablo State created a large development pad for a house strengths of SMD. At Marsh Creek-III, Park and SMD’s Chaparral Spring property that would have been equally visible. we watch dogged nearby land use propos- as it descends to Morgan Territory Road, als for almost twenty years. We protected then reaches the Park District’s Clayton The property was placed on the market, we parts of nearby slopes as a condition of a Ranch, a two mile long north trending can- made an offer, three weeks later we reached subdivision in the early 1990s, worked for yon, marked by several road side ponds, agreement and three weeks after that, just over a decade to protect Clayton Ranch, along the north side of the road. before Memorial Day, we took ownership. then participated in the proposed develop- The purchase price was $320,000—twice as ment application for four years, meanwhile The eastern ridge of Clayton Ranch ends many less remote acres as Marsh Creek-I, six purchasing the Marsh Creek-II property just abruptly above Marsh Creek and the road months earlier, for nearly the same price. before agreement on the development was as they enter the narrowest stretch of the reached. creek’s middle reaches—Dark Canyon— Marsh Creek-III then Morgan Territory Ridge continues That same east ridge At Marsh Creek-II we reacted quickly, had south. Clearly the creek eroded through the of Clayton Ranch is funds ready from our donors, and closed a ridge as it was forced upward, much like the crossed by Bragdon deal in just three weeks. Our hope is that Colorado River created the Grand Canyon Way, stretching to SMD will be able to assemble other parcels on a much larger scale. Marsh Creek-II several large parcels. in the vicinity of Clayton Ranch and along and III wrap around the toe of the Clayton Marsh Creek-III is the creek, and Marsh Creek-II & III will Ranch half of the ridge. one of them, and become part of a larger park and stream is above and partly corridor. Marsh Creek-II … adjacent to Marsh Supervisor Susan Bonilla …was once owned by Clayton co-founder Creek-II at one corner Marsh Creek- Charles Rhine, who had a General and Clayton Ranch at another. Four years ago Merchandise Store on the spot now occu- II (green) and its owners applied for three 5-acre lots in addi- Marsh Creek- pied by Skipolini’s Pizza in downtown tion to an existing house on their 38 acre prop- Clayton. Local legend is that Rhine and the III (red) to- erty. Both Save Mount Diablo and the East gether protect town’s namesake, Joel Clayton, flipped a Bay Regional Park District were concerned for 52 acres in the coin and Clayton won the toss or it would a variety of reasons and given adjacent public Marsh Creek have been “Rhinesville.” lands, and part of the property was supposed corridor, near Clayton Ranch to have been preserved previously but hadn’t and Chaparral A reverse “L” shaped property, Marsh been. Creek-II includes grassland slopes above Spring.

7 Diablo Celebrated Photos by: Scott Hein, David Ogden, Bill Gore & Julie Seelen Four Days Diablo April 30 - May 3, 2008

Four Days Diablo 2008 was a great success and sold out months prior to the event. We anticipate 2009 being equally successful and have already sold many of the spots available. Reserve your spot today.

Participants hike 10 miles a day for four days, from campsite to campsite, while their gear is shuttled between camps and local restaurants chefs prepare their meals. (Clockwise left to right) participants at Macedo Ranch enjoying the view; Indian Cave; Nancy Klein and Judy Gamble; reflections in Bobs Pond; John Gallagher, Patti Petromilli, and Bob Loomis playing blue grass music; Giselle Jurkanin, Allison Hill, Tom Krakow, Ann Walker, and Peter Frazier at dinner. Bob Lowitz, Diane Grace, and Jeff Smith warming by the fire; group photo of participants ready to go on the four day hike. Artists for Action - The Wright Property August 19, 2008

Artists joined SMD at Wright Canyon to use their talents to bring attention to the local landscape. The paintings are exhibited at the Jewish Community Center in Wal- nut Creek. Paul Kratter and Julie Seelen; John Finger, Linda Darsow Sutton; and Mary Lou Correia panting various scenes from the Wright property. Diablo Trail Run Saturday June 7, 2008

(Left to right) Standing: Dave Wright, Paula Kindinger, Kirt Moret, Jim Richards, Doanh Nguyen, Dave Husted. Sitting: Dave Denison, Brad Niess, Molly Jones, Mike Palmer, Tiffany Fletcher, kap’n Kirk Boisseree, Tim Quinn, Rose Versey, Jeff Johnston, Flora Krivak-Tetley, Jeff Collin; Dave Husted crossing the finish line; runners leaving the start line; Tim Quinn and Dave Husted. 8 Diablo Celebrated

Mangini Ranch & Lime Ridge BioBlitz May 16-17, 2008

During 24-hours in May, biologists, novices, and the public counted and catalogued species at Mangini Ranch and Lime Ridge. This BioBlitz was generously funded by REI. See page 6

(Clockwise Left to Right) girl with a lizard; participants enjoying lunch at the event; David Muth, Greg Gallaugher, and Malcolm Sproul, SMD Board president, collecting species; Rick Olson holding a rattle snake to show to his daughters Madeline & Eva Olson; The East Bay Trail Dogs and experts enjoying dinner on the evening of May 16; a horned lizard; Katie Saenger, her brother and a friend looking for tadpoles in the pond; David Muth and Malcolm Sproul in the pond at Mangini.

Diablo Trail Endurance Ride 25/50 June 21, 2008

SMD’s first annual diablo Trail Endurance Ride offered a 25 mile limited distance and 50 mile endurance ride. The ride started and finished at EBRPD’s Castle Rock Park in Walnut Creek. Course traveled through Diablo Foothills, Shell Ridge Open Space and Mt. Diablo State Park. The Endurance Ride had over 100 riders and was a huge success.

(Clockwise Left to Right) riders on the trail; riders heading to the campsite; participants and their crews enjoying dinner and music before the pre-ride meeting at one of the picnic areas at EBRPD’s Castle Rock Park; horses getting a break at one of the Vet-Checks; riders lining up before the start; 50 mile AHA championship winner Shannon Constanti and 25 mile Junior Achievement Award winner Sierra Valencia; girl watering a horse; riders returning from the ride. 9 miles, staving off ill-con- land values and population the extension ceived development and its would result in more funding than AA, but impacts in many cases, it given increased land prices, the benefits are strategically helped direct expected to be similar. growth control efforts like the creation of urban limit Quick Facts: lines and to advance smart • $500 million bond extension must growth efforts. be approved by two-thirds of voters in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. Since 1988 EBRPD has • This extension will not increase the cur- doubled the public’s invest- rent tax rate, a maximum of $10 per year ment by leveraging money per $100,000 of assessed valuation. to secure $159 million of • $375 million (75%) of revenue will fund “matching” funds from District acquisitions and capital projects.

(Bob Walker-Oakland Museum) (Bob Walker-Oakland other agencies and donors • $125 million (25%) of proceeds will go to $60 million in Measure WW funds would benefit Diablo parks at no cost to taxpayers. cities, special park and recreation districts, Measure WW (continued from page 1) county service areas, and the Oakland Zoo With 25 percent of Measure AA funds allocat- for local projects. (Livermore area voters $48 million for Contra Costa cities and $70 ed to local park projects, EBRPD funded close are not part of this extension tax as the area million for Alameda County cities. We’ll to $60 million worth of recreational needs was not within the Park District’s jurisdic- detail some of the accomplishments (below) for every city in its jurisdiction, including tion in 1988 when the initial bond measure of Measure AA around Mt. Diablo, and ben- restoring swimming pools, sports fields, play- was passed. EBRPD continues to serve this efits of proposed Measure WW, but keep in grounds, and community and senior centers. area with new acquisitions of parklands mind that both Measures included/include using other funding sources.) other park projects throughout the East Bay. Local Measure AA Projects • The Park Advisory Committee provides Although Measure AA funded projects citizens’ oversight to monitor expenditures. Measure AA, 1988 throughout the East Bay, around Mt. Diablo By 1988, with increased urbanization in the a large number of regional parks, visitor cen- Measure WW Project Summary: East Bay and skyrocketing land prices, East ters, trails, and recreation areas also benefited 67 current and future parks, trails, and Bay Regional Park District was struggling – through land acquisition or capital improve- shoreline projects will benefit from this to keep pace with the growing population. ments. measure. High priority projects include: Given limited resources, we were lucky to see a few new land acquisitions each year. • Acquiring and restoring urban creeks. • Developing new Parks at the Concord Community leaders at the Park District and Naval Weapons Station, at Doolan Canyon among its allies including SMD helped to in the Tassajara Hills, at Deer Valley near turn the situation around with the proposal Antioch, and at Byron Vernal Pools. for Measure AA – a $225 million bond • Expanding and developing the Bay Trail, measure. We had participated in Prop. 70, a Delta Trail, and Ridge Trail. State bond passed in June 1988 (it provided • Opening Clayton Ranch to public access, $4 million for Mt. Diablo). State bonds and expanding access to the Delta. require majority approval. East Bay vote • Acquiring sensitive property around Mt. totals for Prop. 70 were high enough that Parks that were expanded or benefitted include Diablo to expand Black Diamond Mines, it was thought possible to also pass a local Black Diamond Mines, Bishop Ranch, Clayton Diablo Foothills, Morgan Territory, Round measure, even though local bonds require Ranch, Contra Loma, Diablo Foothills, Las Valley and Vasco Caves Regional Parks. a two-thirds approval. A project “wish Trampas, Morgan Territory, Round Valley, • The measure will provide matching funds list” was developed and two months later Sycamore Valley, Dublin Hills, Pleasanton for the East County Habitat Conservation Measure AA was placed on the ballot. In Ridge, Vasco Caves. Visitor Center funding Plan and other agency funding. Given November 1988 Measure AA was approved. benefitted the Greathouse Visitor Center at the current recession, EBRPD has already Black Diamond Mines (the mining museum). started optioning key parcels at low prices; Passage of AA allowed the acquisition and if the measure does not pass, some of these preservation of 34,000 acres over the past Measure WW, 2008 parcels may be lost. twenty years—53 square miles—of some of EBRPD has successfully used all funds pro- the most beautiful East Bay land, starting vided by Measure AA. The EBRPD Board of The complete project list can be found on at a time (like now) when a recession had Directors voted in July to place Measure WW, the District’s Web site at www.ebparks.org. resulted in a rare drop in land values. AA a new bond measure, on the November ballot saved the center of Black Diamond Mines, that would extend Measure AA by providing acquired Clayton Ranch, helped to protect new funding for Regional Park land acquisi- the Mt. Diablo Gateway property, tripled the tion, new park and trail development, habitat size of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and urban creek restoration and rehabilitation and connected it with Mt. Diablo State Park, of aging park facilities as well as funding for and saved Round Valley. Funds allocated city parks and recreation departments and spe- to cities were used for a variety of city park cial park districts to meet local needs. projects, such as preservation of Newhall North & South as an addition to Walnut Because this is an extension of Measure AA, Creek’s Lime Ridge Open Space. if approved by the voters, it would not cause a tax rate increase. Because of increased Museum) (Bob Walker-Oakland Not only did the Measure save 53 square Creek preservation and restoration would benefit 10 Spotlight on Staff, Sponsors & Volunteers Kim Bratton: Development Associate

Kim recently became SMD’s new Develop- ment Associate. “Growing up in I learned to ap- preciate the importance of land and ocean con- servation.” Kim grew up riding her horse in John Wilcox of Lafayette Boy Scout Troop 243 and his Eagle Scout project at Mangini Ranch the foothills, swimming at Mission Beach and camping. “It’s an honor to be part of SMD’s John Wilcox team, I love coming to work each day.” Kim A Pedestrian Bridge at Mangini is looking forward to the various events SMD hosts. “I’m impressed with the wonderful Bay Area License Plate: volunteers and board members that graciously Save Mount Diablo has been building trails give their time to a great cause.” Nature Within Reach at our Mangini Ranch property. One of them An exciting new plan is under way that will crosses a steep section of Galindo Creek. We Kim previously worked for Kaiser Permanente generate long-term funding to protect wildlife were pleased when John Wilcox asked whether in Human Resources. She graduated from habitat, parks, and farmland and provide trails there was a potential Eagle Scout project on San Jose State University where she studied and public recreation to the Bay Area. You can one on our properties. Psychology and Communications. On her off invest in your community’s future by signing time, Kim is busy with her two son’s Alex up for a new Bay Area license plate. With your John and his parents, who are structural en- and Kevin. One of their favorite things to do help, the Bay Area License Plate will be issued gineers, designed a pedestrian bridge to cross is hike Mount Diablo. “It’s important to me to by the Department of Motor Vehicles in late the creek and he raised $1,800 to build it. The that my children appreciate nature and the role 2009. The goal is to raise $1 million per year bridge was pre-constructed then, in June, John, they play in preserving it. Hiking is a fun way from the sale of the plate. Funds generated by his friends and family got together to install the to do this. The best part is when they remem- the license plate campaign will be adminis- bridge. Thanks to John and the Vogt-Wilcoxs ber the name of a plant I’ve pointed out or they tered by the State Coastal Conservancy, one of for the project, to SMD volunteer Dick Heron get excited about a blue bellied lizard or jack SMD’s closest allies. for oversight, and to SMD president Malcolm rabbit that crosses our path. That’s when you For more information call 1-877-4SF-BAY1 or Sproul, of LSA Associates, for pro bono Dept. know you’ve captured their heart and passed visit www.bayarealicenseplate.org of Fish and Game creek permitting. on the passion!” Estate Planning. . . Save Mount Diablo Remember Save Mount Diablo Diablo Trail Endurance Ride 25/50 A bequest to Save Mount Diablo can be accom- June 21, 2008 plished with a simple statement in your will, or in Thank You to Our Sponsors a codicil to an existing will, or a revocable/living trust.

For example, you may make a specific bequest: “I give and bequeath to Save Mount Diablo, Walnut Creek, California, the sum of $______to be used for the general purposes of the organization.”

OR a residual bequest: “I give and bequeath to Save Mount Diablo, Walnut Creek, California, ____% of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate for general purposes of the organization.” 3690 Taylor Rd Loomis, CA 95650 Do you have a used car that you would like to donate? If so, call Car Donation Services at 925-229- 5444 and tell them that you want to donate your vehicle - for the benefit of Save Mount Diablo. All paperwork and vehicle pick-up will be taken care of quickly and professionally. After liquidation of the vehicle, Save Mount Diablo will receive a cash Thank you to our participants, volunteers, park rangers, donation that will count towards your membership HAM radio, Leap of Faith Stables, vets and donors for and help to preserve our mountain. making this event a great success. 11 it wasn’t keeping pace with development. The slogan was “Not a single picnic table Mott’s ‘Idea a Minute’ & available in Contra Costa County.” Despite the District’s Quantum Leap Forward strong opposition, on June 2, 1964 Measure In 1962, at Sproul’s urging, the Park District B was passed with a vote of 54% to 46% hired William Penn Mott, Jr. as its new and most of Contra Costa was added to General Manager. He had started his career the District. “The citizen groups who got as a landscape architect with the National behind us made the difference,” said Mott. Park Service and then became Superintendent of Oakland Parks. Though he was with the Mott hired Hornbeck as the newly created District for just six years, Mott sparked a Chief of Land Acquisition. He also began huge expansion—it was said he had ‘an idea a to shift the focus of the District to include minute’—reorganizing the District into depart- not just ridgeline parks but shoreline ones, ments, hiring new staff, involving citizens and regional trails to “bring the people to and expanding fundraising, and annexing new the parks.” Shoreline efforts dove-tailed areas into the District. with work to save San Francisco Bay, which had almost no public access at the time. In Contra Costa, where the population had The Pleasanton area was added in 1966. quadrupled in twenty years, citizens and Sunol, Las Trampas, Coyote Hills, and organizations such as the Contra Costa Park Briones became parks, aided by a 1964 state Council urged the County to create a new bond issue, and Crown Beach in Alameda county-wide park system, on the ballot as was turned over to the District to manage. 1934 campaign flyer supporting creation Measure A. By the end of the 1960s Dick Trudeau had of the Regional Park District (EBRPD) taken over as General Manager. Hulet Hornbeck was a Martinez resident who Not a Single Picnic Table (Continued from page 5) had become an activist after being diagnosed The Third Wave of Conservation with cancer and told that he had five years to placed before the voters. A Contra Costa The late 60’s and early 70’s ushered in a live. President of the Park Council, he became Hills Club flyer stated, “Vote for the East third wave of conservation, punctuated by a leader in the effort. According to Hornbeck, Bay Regional Park District in order that 1970’s Earth Day and a rise in environ- it “was a bond issue to buy parks, put on the ‘keep out’ signs be replaced, legally, by mental consciousness. Citizen activism ballot by the Board of Supervisors. But we ‘come in’ signs.” Nonetheless, in Contra increased dramatically. Save Mount Diablo had no real support but a handful of park peo- Costa, County Supervisors rejected partici- was formed in 1971, for example, including ple.” In June 1962 County Measure A failed. pation. a Concord teenager, Bob Doyle, as a found- ing member. Even as he progressed through Enter Bill Mott. “Mott had called me up,” said the ranks of the Park District, to become While Alameda County included 475,000 Hornbeck. “I agreed to have him come talk Asst. General Manager for Acquisition and residents in 1930, Contra Costa was largely to the {Park Council} Board about annexing Advanced Planning, Doyle would cement agricultural and home to just 79,000. In Contra Costa County to the East Bay Regional an already close relationship between SMD their opinion they already had the 1500 acre Park District. I’d never met Bill Mott. He and the District. Mt. Diablo State Park. On Nov. 6, 1934, walked in the room about half way through in Alameda County alone, AB 1114 was our board meeting. We stopped the meeting, I approved by voters 2.5 to 1. Conservation A 1971 sales tax created funding for park- introduced him and he narrated what his goals groups, women’s organizations, labor land acquisition, development and operation were with the Park District. What his ideas unions, real estate groups and educational and new parks such as Point Pinole. Contra about open space and parks and trails were, associations all played a major role. Loma, Black Diamond Mines, Diablo and then he just said, ‘that’s it, I guess I’ll go Foothills and Morgan Territory Parks were now,’ and off he went.” created even as a Master Plan process was By June 1936 the District had acquired its established in 1974. In 1981 eastern Contra first 2,166 acres for $656,544 and residents “His goals were the creation of a super park had their first parks, Tilden, Redwood system connected by trails to get the public bowl, Sibley, and Lake Temescal. Then into these lands. He came in on the subject the emphasis turned to recreation. Trails of why not annex the EBRPD and the Contra and other facilities were built by the WPA Costa County. We had a vote and I had one and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Park of my first experiences with real dissent… management was in its infancy and the few ‘were we turning ourselves over to that gang in parks were crowded with attractions such Berkeley and the other side of the ridge?’ But as Tilden’s golf course, botanical garden, we voted to continue.” Brazilian Room and carousel. Hornbeck, District Attorney John Nejedly, In 1939 the Bay Bridge and the Caldecott horseman George Cardinet and other activists Tunnel opened. World War II slowed devel- organized Citizens for Regional Parks NOW! opment and park expansion then growth around the plan to annex Contra Costa to the skyrocketed, with development replacing Park District, 1964’s Measure B. Hornbeck farms and orchards. By the District’s 20th was chairman of the central county commit- anniversary in 1954, it included 5,400 acres tee. Mott and Dick Trudeau, District Chief of and 2.7 million visitors annually. In just Public Relations, tirelessly promoted the mea- twenty years Alameda County grew from sure. Mott told Trudeau, “You don’t even have 513,000 residents in 1940 to 908,000 in to show up at the office. Just get the situation 1960, and Contra Costa from 100,000 to organized.” 409,000. The Park District grew slowly but Park & Rec Plan supporting 1962’s Measure A; it failed. (c. of Bruce Chamberlin 12 Costa was Passage was not a sure thing. Some of the without raising taxes. The existing tax annexed Directors were up for re-election, and monu- rate would simply be extended another 20 but Prop. mental efforts would be needed, some of them years. If Measure WW is approved, another 13, passed quite controversial. When Board president 30-35,000 acres will be acquired. But as in Mary Jefferds balked, for example, Cobb during the Great Depression, as during the 1978, had threatened to resign her staff position and to 1964 annexation, as during Measure AA, begun run for election against Jefferds. Polling indi- times are uncertain, and hurdles such as the to erode cated that the public would support a tax rate needed two-thirds vote are large. District that would generate $225 million and Doyle finances. and others organized a projects list to equal The Measure WW campaign commit- that figure literally overnight. tee includes all of the EBRPD Directors, Growth including local directors Ted Radke and continued On November 6, 1988, Measure AA was Beverly Lane; SMD’s Ron Brown and Seth largely approved with more than two-thirds voting Adams; and others. unchecked, yes. Parks were created such as Pleasanton though the Ridge, Round Valley and Vasco Caves or Hulet Hornbeck, who led 1964’s Measure epicenter dramatically expanded as in the case of Black B campaign to annex Contra Costa County had moved Diamond Mines and Morgan Territory. to the Regional Park District despite being eastward. told he had five years to live; who was At the In 1992, the Livermore area’s addition com- hired in 1965 by Bill Mott to create the time of the pleted the District to include all of both East Park District’s new acquisition department; District’s Bay counties. A 1993 trails assessment provid- who trained his successor Bob Doyle and founding ed a local source of revenue for operation and created most of Contra Costa’s regional in 1934 the maintenance of the extensive trail system. By parks before his retirement in 1979; is also East Bay 2008, with the help of Measure AA, O’Brien an enthusiastic member of the commit- 1962’s Measure A, to create a included and Doyle tee. He will be 89 in October, a few weeks system of CC County parks, failed about had expanded before the vote. but led to Measure B in 1964, 584,000 the East Bay to annex to the Regional Park people; Regional A Fourth Wave of Conservation? District. (c. of Bruce Chamberlin) in 1990 Park District The conservation movement has matured, it would to include withstood the backlash of monied interests, measure 2.1 million. By 1988, when 100,000 acres. and with climate change threats, is poised Hornbeck retired, the District led by Yet, from to become a truly global effort. But even as General Manager Pat O’Brien included 584,000 East we “think globally” we must “act locally.” 65,000 acres but the acquisition program, Bay residents We must be as far sighted as the thousand under the creative leadership of Doyle and when the East Bay residents who got together in largely dependent on state funding, threat- District was 1931, during the Great Depression, to form ened to slow. founded in the East Bay Regional Park District. On 1934, at pres- Nov. 4, Please Vote Yes on Measure WW. 1988’s Measure AA ent the East Janet Cobb, the Park District’s Community Bay includes Much of the history of the District from its Affairs Director; Acquisitions Director Bob 2.6 million, founding through 1984, and quotes from Doyle (who was then president of SMD); an increase of that period are from or paraphrased from Greenbelt Alliance activist Mark Evanoff; half a million Mimi Stein’s A Vision Achieved: Fifty Years photographer Bob Walker, who was also a in just the past of East Bay Regional Park District, 1984. member of the Board of SMD; and other twenty years. The Citizens for Regional Parks Much is from the personal knowledge of the activists, saved the day. NOW! distributed pamphlets author and from oral histories by him, espe- 2008’s emphasizing the necessity for cially of Hulet Hornbeck. Population fig- In June 1988, state Prop. 70, a citizen quali- Measure WW county parks development to ures: ABAG and the Cal. Dept. of Finance. fied funding initiative known as CALPaW Measure AA persuade citizens of Contra Costa County to vote “Yes” on (California Parks & Wildlife) was approved has been spent. 1964’s Measure B to annex to by more than two thirds. Given local vote Unless addi- the Park District. (EBRPD) totals Cobb, Doyle, Evanoff and Walker tional funding 1988’s convinced the Park District’s Board to spon- is found the District acquisition program will Measure sor Measure AA, including $225 million, dramatically slow, even as development pres- AA pro- much of it for acquisition. sure continues. In 2008, the East Bay includes vided $225 2.6 million residents; it is projected to measure million to Imagine that the measures to create the 3.9 million in 2050, an increase of 50%. From expand District, to annex Contra Costa, and to pass 2000 to 2050 the San Francisco Bay Area is regional Prop. 70 had all taken two or more years. expected to grow 52% from 6.8 million to 10.3 parks and There were just two months to design million residents and California from 34 mil- facilities. It is expir- Measure AA in time to place it on the ballot, lion to 60 million (76%). ing but let alone to negotiate with cities and coun- would be ties, opponents and other interest groups. We have a rare lull in growth, with lower land extended The Park District Board of Directors, prices, but neither will last. Measure AA is by 2008’s including Contra Costa Directors Ted Radke exhausted. As a result, the District has placed Measure and Kay Peterson, was strongly supportive Measure WW on the November 2008 bal- WW but timing and other issues were significant. lot, to extend the provisions of Measure AA, (EBRPD) 13 Membership Matters

We deeply appreciate and thank all of our members. Your generous support makes it possible for our small organization to meet the many demands that come with increasing population and development pressures in the area. We are lucky to have so many members, too numerous to list in our newsletter. As of January of 2008, we acknowledge all members in our Annual Report. If you have not yet received it, please give us a call at 925-947-3535 and we will be happy to mail you one. We appreciate hearing from you. (Scott Hein)

Herbert & Delores Moore Meredith Jesse Bowdle Sara Manning In Memory of John & Jo Ann Ridley Henry Moises Gary & Blythe Buetzow Bruce Muirhead, for a Chris Allport Theodore & Janice Schultz Louise Moises Elizabeth & Patrick Christmas Gift Robert & Carol Lowitz Bill & Mary Sander Janet Montes Callahan Nancy & Bud Sasser John Arkwright Bill & Evelyn Thornburg Terry & Glenn Gonzalez Jeff & Diana Callahan Russ Nishikawa Nancy Arkwright Mardi Duffield Gay Nielsen Elizabeth & Patrick Stephanie Ann Juricich & Ana Baer Fien Kristine Caratan Tom & Carolyn Westhoff Callahan Mark Van Loon Rosalie Richards Anna Louise Ferri, on the William Peck Lisa Cline Park Rangers Ruth Banen 10th anniversary of her June Wall Mark Maienschein-Cline Jax Kneppers Associates, Andrea Foley death John A. Raventos M. Lee Davisson Inc. Terrance Carroll & Linda Lawrence Ferri Patricia Raventos Heidi Kaseff Ellen Peterson Dardarian Judy Gilmore Hertha Reifschneider Audrey & Carl Down Grover & Jane Peterson Victoria De Goff Woodruff & Mary Ogden John & Linda Van Heertum Rolene Walker Bud Rotermund Benraz Ali Linda Greub’s Mother Theodore & Claire Carl & Audrey Down Janine Senior Sally Dalton Robert & Carol Lowitz Holmsen Norman & Lisa Down Richard “Dick” Fred & Georgine Sullivan Pat & Joe Drake Corporate Match Hackenbracht Richard “Dick” Ricker Kevin & Janet Lee Dorene Walters Joan Allen Jill Dresser Bank of America Matching Harvey & Louise Wall Sophie & Krista Taff-Rice Charla Gabert & David Gifts Program Jeffrey & Charlotte Keeler Anita Taff-Rice Frane Bank of the West Sari Kulberg Robert & Mildred (Kitty) Dorothy Duff Brown California Healthcare Gail Cooper Trevorrow Brickyard Family Fund Foundation Joyce Sattler Steven Raymond Barbara Ertter Clif Bar Family Foundation Oscar & Annamarie Laura Wilke Richard & Linda Beidleman Clorox Gift Campaign Bradfute Harvey & Louise Wall Austin Ryder Figueira, born Ebay Foundation Don Harris December 22, 2006 GE Foundation Swallowtail (Scott Hein) Robert & Carol Lowitz Eric & Debbie Hinzel Genentech Employee Giving Thorne Holmes Howard Finch Program Katherine & Adolph (Adie) Virginia Holmes Sandra & Mason Stober IBM Corporation Matching Berger Andrew W. Imbrie Rosemary Frazier Grants Program Alice Ropchan Barbara Imbrie Stephanie Ann Juricich & Kaiser Permanente Mary Bowerman Betty Kunkel Mark Van Loon Community Giving Joanne Taylor Greg Page Charla Gabert Matching Gift Program Werner H. Buechy Alan Kunz The Circle Fund Microsoft Matching Gifts Abramson Family Foundation J.H. & M.D. Acorn Grover’s 90th birthday Program Oracle Corporation Matching Wally Burton Joan Hedges Mariposa lily (Scott Hein) Nancy Heuser Diane Burton George & Sally Thomas Gill Schijf Gifts Program Bill Chamberlain Elizabeth Lathrap Heritage Tree Happy Valley Garden Club The Rockefeller Group C. Newburn & Philip Lathrap & Roberta Paul Bettelheim Tri-Valley Community Jacqueline Heath Davis In Memory of Matthew William Heidt, born Foundation Vera Cenci Civarollo Beverly Levine William Morrison November 1, 2006 United Way California Debby Evans Norma Alexander Clark & Amara Morrison Eric & Debbie Hinzel Capital Region Thomas T. Corcoran John Lowenberg of Ames IA In memory of Bruce Smith Tara Howard June Wall Ann Holzhueter Kathleen Smith Rod Libbey All contributions were Richard W. Cross John M. Luther The Jones Family made from January 1 Teresea Cross David & Juanita Luther Beverly & Gary Hansen - June 30, 2008 Steve Doss Terry Mackin In Honor of Steve Kaspar Sasha Mackin Theodora Atkinson Barbara Hayworth Seth Adams Richard Lee Mark Alan Kunz Joan Massey Michael O’Donahue Valerie A. Mark Valerie Cooper Rosemary Dubois Lisa Chang & Douglas Brad Lee McWilliams The Kunz Family Patricia Black Mason Joanne Epperson George & Sally Thomas George Callas Ana Baer Fien Aileen & William McNutt Paul Lee Andrew DuBois Jean Grant Jerry & Margaret Ricker Jorge & Maria Barrera Richard & Katherine Bill Benson Kevin & Nancy Reidy Julia Manasian Edwards Bob & Sue Benson Victor & Suzanne Stephens Charla Gabert & David Russ & Cynthia Harrison Paul Bettelheim Chistopher G. Meredith Frane David & Anne Mann Happy Valley Garden Club Geoffrey & Valerie Jane Manning Keith & Joan (Rusty) McNeil Marcheta Bowdle Indian paintbrush (Scott Hein) 14 my confusion was. His comment back was officially, but Gowen refers to it as the that the Lime Ridge plant wasn’t in any current “Lime Ridge Woollystar.” flora—it wasn’t ‘in the book.’” Threats Establishing a New Species “We don’t know what the plants need, we At the time Johnson was working on the treat- don’t exactly know their preferred habitat, ment for Navarretia for several publications, they might prefer more open space, less so he was the current expert on the genus. competition, or they might prefer distur- Together Gowen, the amateur botanist, and bance, we just don’t know,” said Gowen. Johnson began researching the plant. Said “Sometimes disturbance helps, sometimes it Gowen, “Initially Leigh thought it was the favors exotics that crowd out the plant. We same as an undescribed species from southern don’t know whether fire is good or bad.” California; he decided it was different, partly because of differences that I suggested.” “Navarretias have preferred niches, often soil types in combination with other fac- The new species, Navarretia gowenii, was tors—they don’t grow under other plants,” published in the December 3, 2007 issue said Gowen. “Potential threats might be of Novon, a respected botanical journal of misused vegetation management, cutting the Missouri Botanical Garden. The local everything down like goat grazing, but it’s announcement was delayed until the plant unknown. We need to be cautious.” bloomed and good photos could be taken. Conservation Lime Ridge woollystar (Scott Hein) Navarretia The Lime Ridge Navarretia is known from New Plant Species (Continued from page 4) “The genus Navarretia has about 34 species,” two locations, Lime Ridge and one location said Johnson. “Some are quite common. The in Stanislaus County, about 70 miles south- “Plants were just another reason to be out- center of diversity is in the western U.S.; 90% east. Given small populations and limited side wandering around looking at things,” of the species are in California. Lime Ridge distribution it is assumed to be critically said Gowen. He went on his first CNPS has six species of Navarretia; that number in endangered unless other populations are hike, at Mt. Diablo around 1990. “I had such a small area is remarkable.” located. The Lime Ridge Woollystar, from never been to Mt. Diablo. It was so rich just Lime Ridge, is even rarer. and so close.” “The definitive character is that the flower is Despite protected locations, it was realized The Search white with a purple spot at the bottom of each petal,” said Gowen. that park management could harm them. A plant thought extinct, the Mt. Diablo CNPS, SMD and WCOSF formed the buckwheat, Eriogonum truncatum, led “It’s spiny like other Navarretias—you don’t “Lime Ridge Rare Plants Working Group” Gowen to Lime Ridge. In 1998 when want to pick them. It’s about 6-8 inches tall. to consider management with the city. he took his first trip to Lime Ridge, the It grows in open sun. They live in four small buckwheat hadn’t been seen in 62 years. spots, each with 50-100 plants. In other parts The Working Group has developed interim Although Gowen searched for over a of the state there might be acres and acres of protocols for management activities while decade, it was rediscovered in 2005 by Navarretias, here in the worst year there might we learn more. Management of the two Michael Park, a graduate student at U.C. be 150 plants total and in the best year there new species could also benefit 28 other rare Berkeley, on land preserved by SMD. are fewer than a thousand.” plant species found at Lime Ridge as well as several rare animal species. According to Gowen, “I began looking It’s customary to name a newly discovered for the buckwheat after a lecture Barbara The Working Group has collected seeds for species after the person who found it, or after Ertter gave, challenging botanists to find it. offsite propagation, and will work to survey the place where it was discovered. The genus The concept was that it lived near chapar- similar locations to see if other populations Navarretia is named after Francisco Fernandez ral. Lime Ridge was near a historical site, can be found. Efforts are being made to not de Navarrete, an 18th century Spanish phy- I’d never been there, and it was public and harm existing populations of the two plants sician. Johnson named the new species accessible. In 1998 on my first visit I found while learning more about their needs. Navarretia gowenii, after Gowen, but he calls the Navarretia. At this point I’ve probably it the “Lime Ridge Navarretia.” been to Lime Ridge thirty or forty times.” The “Lime Ridge Woollystar” The Discovery of Navarretia gowenii “About the same time that I was visiting the “I took home a piece of the plant that first site of the Navarretia,” said Gowen, “I found trip to identify later and never came up with an Eriastrum {Woollystar} and after going to a satisfactory identification,” said Gowen. several other sites, I realized I didn’t know “Periodically I would mention it to some- what this one was either. It was mentioned in one; no one had an answer. It was a group the supplement of Ertter & Bowerman’s Mt. of plants not too many people knew.” Diablo flora {book} with the comment that it was a dried specimen and was unidentifiable.” “A couple of years went by and I slowly learned a little more. I assumed that there “That sparked my interest to figure out what would be an answer from an expert if you it was,” said Gowen. The new Eriastrum spe- found the right one. In 2004 I sent Leigh cies, which is referred to as Eriastrum sp. nov. Johnson at Brigham Young University pho- until it is published, has not yet been named Lime Ridge Open Space, tographs and with my suggestions and what site of the discovery two new plant species 15 S. Hein Wright Canyon Monument Trail Adventure YES on Measure WW – Dedication, Sunday Oct. 12, 2008 Sunday Nov. 2, 2008 Water, Parks & Wildlife at Castle Rock Park Extending the East Bay Regional Join us at 10 am for a hike to “the Gathering Park District’s Measure AA Place”, a reading by Anne Homan and dedica- The Mount Diablo Trail Adventure offers a tion of a historical moment about the Wrights Half-Marathon, 10K Run, and Family Hike Voting Yes on Measure WW is the single and Olafsons. RSVP by Oct. 7 at smdinfor@ beginning at Castle Rock Park in Walnut most important thing you can do this Novem- savemountdiablo.org or 925-947-3535. Creek, climbing the fire roads up the slopes ber to benefit Mt. Diablo and our local envi- of Mount Diablo and returning Castle ronment. Save Mount Diablo is helping to Paintings of Wright Canyon by Artists for Ac- Rock. The event includes pre and post race lead the campaign for the proposed extension tion, like Mark Monsarrat’s shown above, can entertainment by a live band and lunch for all of East Bay Regional Park District’s 1988 be seen at the Contra Costa Jewish Community participants. Center until Oct. 10. The CCJCC is located on Measure AA, which expires soon. Tice Valley Blvd., in Walnut Creek. (Hours: M- Visit www.savemountdiablo.org to pre-regis- F, 9 am - 5 pm; Sat., 8 am -2 pm; Sun. closed.) ter. Start for all events is 9 am For the full article see page 1 Save Mount Diablo’s Partner Sponsors

Partner Sponsors are proud to support SMD’s mission. In acknowledgement of their generous support they receive recognition and admission at all of SMD’s events for one year. If you would like to become a partner sponsor, please call Ron or Julie at 947-3535. 16 Save Mount Diablo’s Mission ... mountain’s flora, fauna, and rugged beauty, and • Aids in the restoration of habitat and the To preserve Mt. Diablo’s peaks, surrounding to the history and heritage of the mountain and its preservation of rare species. foothills, and watersheds through land acquisition surrounding foothills. • Offers technical advice to community and and preservation strategies designed to protect the • Works with landowners to preserve their neighborhood groups regarding preservation of mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, property and to ensure that they receive fair value natural lands. and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance in any transaction aimed at preserving natural • Sponsors events to build public awareness and to our area’s quality of life; and provide recreational lands. raise funds to carry out our programs. opportunities consistent with the protection of • Works in partnership with Mt. Diablo State Park, • Temporarily owns and responsibly manages natural resources. East Bay Regional Park District, and other public lands prior to their transfer to a public agency for In support of our mission, Save Mount Diablo: and private entities to increase and manage natural permanent preservation. • Protects natural lands through purchases, gifts, lands and to identify mitigation opportunities. • Encourages recreation and public enjoyment and cooperative efforts with public and private • Participates in the land use planning process of Mt. Diablo’s parklands consistent with the entities. for projects that could impact Mt. Diablo and its protection of their natural resources. • Educates the public regarding threats to the surrounding foothills. Non-Profit ssaveave MOUNT DIABLO Organization 1901 Olympic Blvd., Suite 220 U.S. Postage Paid Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Concord, CA Permit No. 525

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