J O H N M U I R L A N D T R U S T

H O R I Z O N SF A L L 2 0 1 5P rote c t ing the p la ce s that make Cont ra Costa spec ia l

Carr Ranch

Anyone who has flown into San Francisco from the east has marveled at the great sweep of wild hillsides between the I-680 corridor and the asphalt-knit cities along the bay. Either green or tawny, depending on the season, these hills cup great reservoirs that slake the thirst of millions. At night, they are conspicuous in their darkness, broken only by the clustered twinkling lights of Contra Costa communities.

People who are lucky enough to live among these hills understand their importance to our quality of life. Open lands yield clean water. They provide habitat for wildlife, and offer close-to-home recreation. Just as important, these open hills and ridges provide the green backdrop for our communities, central to our sense of place. They embrace our communities—and we, in turn, embrace them.

Now we have an opportunity to protect historic open space at the very doorstep of Moraga and visible to thousands of residents across the Lamorinda region—if we can raise the $7 million needed to complete the effort. Since 1914—60 years before Moraga was incorporated—604-acre Carr Ranch has been stewarded by the Carr family. The land has supported the family’s cattle, even as it has sheltered golden eagles and mountain lions and born witness to booming development nearby. MANY REASONS FOR CONSERVATION

The Carr family has entered into an agreement with John Muir Land Trust ( JMLT) to sell the ranch for conservation, permanently protecting its many resources. Prominent among these is water, crucial in this period of California’s historic drought. Natural springs, seeps, and creeks on the ranch nurture wildlife and feed Upper San Leandro Reservoir, source of drinking water for hundreds of thousands. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is keenly interested in seeing the land protected.

With its variety of habitats—including grassy hillsides, chaparral, wetlands and the shady corridor of ever-running Buckhorn Creek—the ranch is rich in wildlife, including threatened and endangered species, such as the Alameda whipsnake and the California red-legged frog. Golden eagles ride thermal updrafts. A badger den has been discovered. And earlier this year, a wildlife camera captured a mountain lion prowling for prey in the oaks along the creek.

PRESERVING HISTORIC CARR RANCH

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P A G E T W O

Greetings,

It has been just over 100 years since John Muir’s death, but his legacy of conservation is more relevant than ever. Especially as we in California face unprecedented drought and the pressure of population growth, the need to protect endangered lands and wildlife habitat is increasingly critical.

While Muir Heritage Land Trust always honored Muir and his principles of preservation, we are now John Muir Land Trust. And, we do not take our iconic namesake lightly. We think we have steadfastly earned the privilege of using Muir’s full name, which is perfectly symbolic of our mission.

Even more exciting is our next major acquisition target, an incredible property near Moraga called Carr Ranch. With more than 600 acres of widely varied terrain, critical watershed, spectacular views and rich wildlife, Carr Ranch is certain to become a centerpiece among our portfolio of protected lands in Contra Costa.

Needless to say, we can only hope to achieve these ambitious objectives with the generous support of people who appreciate the continued importance of John Muir’s vision. We certainly do. Please visit jmlt.org to learn more about JMLT’s many accomplishments and how you can become more involved.

Respectfully,

Linus Eukel, Executive Director

PRESERVING HISTORIC CARR RANCH

JOHN MUIRLAND TRUST

P.O. Box 2452Martinez, CA 94553

925-228-5460info@jmlt.org

jmlt.org

STAFF

Linus EukelExecutive Director

Karen BoothIndividual Giving Manager

Jay DeanMarketing Director

Carla DinProgram Development Director

Krista JordanDevelopment and

Communications Manager

Glen LewisOpen Space Ranger

Gaye MarkhamAdministrative Manager

Carolina do Val CallaoDatabase Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Charles Lewis IV Chair

Dawn Block Vice Chair

Eliot R. Hudson Secretary

Bill Wadsworth Treasurer

Arthur Bart-WilliamsPaul Craig

Denis HustonSteve Hutchcraft

Steve KirbyJoseph A. Ovick

Ted C. Radosevich

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After nearly a century off-limits to the public, a protected Carr Ranch would be open for hiking, watching wildlife and exploring—a close-to-home outdoor retreat for tens of thousands. Trails will trace the oaky shoreline of Buckhorn Creek, and scale the ridge tops, with their sweeping views of San Francisco Bay and the Las Trampas Ridge. As people continue to move into our communities, it is essential to preserve places that create the “country next door” feeling valued by so many residents.

ASSEMBLING A PUZZLE OF PROTECTION

Preservation of Carr Ranch will snap another piece into the puzzle of protected landscapes in the hills adjacent to the Las Trampas wilderness. Wild ridges and hillsides have been conserved across western Contra Costa County—public parks and protected watersheds interspersed with privately conserved properties, including a dozen owned and managed by JMLT. These lands protect water and other resources, while supporting light public recreation.

No piece is as important to protect as Carr Ranch—a prominent and resource-rich landscape not much changed since Mexican rancheros grazed cattle in the mid- 18th century. As so much changes around us, protecting this beautiful Lamorinda landscape will honor our past, serve us in the present, and prepare us for the future.

Please help protect Carr Ranch. Visit jmlt.orgFollow us on social media:

jmlt.org

P rote c t ing the p la ce s that make Cont ra Costa spec ia l

P A G E T H R E E

TRAIL BUILDING

RECAP

C A R R R A N C H H I G H L I G H T S

JMLT’s Stewardship Committee and Volunteers for Outdoor California (V-O-Cal) descended on Franklin Canyon August 7-9 to build a new trail with paths connecting to the Bay Area Ridge Trail and San Francisco Bay Trail. These hardworking nature lovers

brought Franklin Canyon one step closer to public access.

Situated in the Upper San Leandro watershed, Carr Ranch includes many springs, seeps and creeks that feed local reservoirs — a source of clean drinking water in a time of historic drought.

Vital habitat will be protected for endangered reptiles and amphibians—and for large animals, such as deer, American badger, golden eagle and mountain lion.

Six hundred and four acres of meadows, hillsides, ridge tops and bottomlands are home to coastal live oak, riparian woodlands, coastal scrub and annual grasses.

Once protected, Carr Ranch will provide close-to-home, low-impact recreation for hiking, dog walking, equestrian activities and watching wildlife.

A critical parcel will be added to a complex of contiguous protected open space, including regional parks and watershed lands that preserve the historic green backdrop of fast-developing Lamorinda communities.

T E S O R O G R A N T

John Muir Land Trust in partner-ship with Contra Costa County Office of Education has received a generous $250,000 grant from the Tesoro Foundation in support of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Math education (STEAM). JMLT and CCCOE will use Fer-nandez Ranch, Mt. Wanda and the John Muir National Historic Site as expansive outdoor classrooms. In “POINTing to Success” middle and high school students will apply ex-citing mobile interpretive technolo-gy pioneered by JMLT board mem-ber Arthur Bart-Williams to bring classroom ideas to life and help stu-dents shift from “learning about” to “figuring out” as part of California’s Next Generation Science Standards.

Thank you Tesoro Foundation!

STARGAZING

RECAPOver 200 attendees – most ever!

15 telescopes aimed at the night sky

400 cups of hot chocolate served

Billions of stars!

SAVING CONTRA COSTA CAMPAIGN

JMLT intends to double the acre-age under our protection over the next five years. Download the campaign brochure at jmlt.org

Eager stargazers gathered August 18 at Fernandez Ranch with volunteers from Mt. Diablo and Eastbay Astronomical Societies and Chabot Space and Science Center for stunning views of the rings of Saturn, the moon and the Andromeda galaxy. Fernandez Ranch is open to the

public for hiking and other activities year round!

8,000 feet of new trail

110 Volunteers

6 new boardwalks

jmlt.org

To see photos of these events, a video and more information about visiting our properties, visit jmlt.org. Sign up for e-newsletters to learn about future events!

NonprofitU.S. Postage

PAIDMartinez, CA

Permit No. 189

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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

P.O. Box 2452, Martinez CA 94553

MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE

Preserved land is a lasting legacy for future generations. You can help provide a solid foundation for JMLT’s conservation efforts through the donation of a legacy gift:

BequestsStock GiftsRetirement Plan

For more information about Legacy Gifts visit jmlt.org or contact our Executive Director Linus Eukel at linus@jmlt.org and 925-228-1130.

JMLT LEGACY GIFTS

OPEN HOUSE

We had a great time at our Open House on October 22, and hope you did, too! Many thanks to the volunteers, donors and guests who attended. See more photos at jmlt.org/openhouse

EVENTS

On September 16, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1289 — the John Muir National Historic Site Expansion Act — that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to acquire by donation 44 acres of land (West Hills Farm) currently owned by John Muir Land Trust. Once passed by the U.S. Senate, this acreage will be added to the John Muir National Historic Site in beautiful Martinez. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D) and had bipartisan support. It will now go to the U.S. Senate for consideration and final approval. Thank you to Rep. DeSaulnier for sponsoring this important piece of legislation!

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To stay up-to-date, sign up for our e-newsletter at jmlt.org

PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF JOHN MUIR - WEST HILLS FARM

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