Save Mount Diablo E-News | February 28, 2024 |
|
We've Planted and Protected over 3,000 Trees and Plants in Three Years!
Fighting Climate Change and Creating Habitat
|
|
Volunteers plant natives at Marsh Creek 7 in February. Photo by Haley Sutton
In summer 2021, we pledged to plant and protect 10,000 trees and plants in 10 years.
At of the end of January, we'd officially planted and protected 3,000! We hit this number at our recent staff outing, where the Save Mount Diablo staff planted 130 plants at our Marsh Creek 7 restoration site.
And our momentum hasn't slowed. In February, we have planted hundreds more plants with the help of our amazing Diablo Restoration Team volunteers.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us succeed so far in our 10,000 Trees and Plants project!
There is still much more to do! To get involved, please join our Diablo Restoration Team days planting and caring for natives out in the field.
|
|
New Trails on Mount Diablo Coming Soon
Get Ready to Enjoy Two New Loops in Curry Canyon
|
|
The Knobcone Trail connection in upper Curry Canyon. Photo by Sean Burke
We and our partners have protected more than 120,000 acres of land on and around Mount Diablo.
Now, we’re working to help you get outside and enjoy the natural splendor of the wild lands that we’ve worked so hard to protect.
In 2022, we developed and opened over four miles of trails at our Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve.
In 2023, we opened the highly anticipated 1.25-mile Knobcone Point Trail connection through upper Curry Canyon, one of the wildest areas of Mount Diablo.
In the coming fiscal year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025), we plan to open a section of Curry Cave Road and another section of Knobcone Point Road, effectively opening two new trail loops for people to experience.
Our goal to open new trails is a result of our organization's strategic planning process.
Visitors to Mount Diablo State Park will soon have more opportunities than ever to immerse themselves within the lovely solitude of Mount Diablo's backcountry.
|
|
BREAK THE LOGJAM!
Mount Diablo State Park Hasn’t Expanded Since 2007
|
|
Mount Diablo State Park hasn’t added a new property since 2007—17 years ago!
For eight years, Save Mount Diablo has been trying to transfer its 165-acre Viera–North Peak property on the very slopes of Mount Diablo’s North Peak, for free.
After years of negotiations with Save Mount Diablo, the CEMEX quarry publicly announced in 2022 it would donate 101 acres to Mount Diablo State Park, next to the park’s Mitchell Canyon, including a section of the historic Black Point Trail.
Unfortunately, neither of these two properties, or others waiting, have been added to Mount Diablo State Park, so we need your help to move these great acquisitions forward.
Thankfully, Senator Steve Glazer, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and other officials have been trying to help move California State Parks forward on land acquisitions.
We are also grateful that a small working group has formed, made up of our terrific partners at California State Parks and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, to help us get lands added to Mount Diablo State Park.
However, lands not being added to California State Parks is a large statewide issue.
We need the voice and support of the public to help elevate and further our efforts to break the logjam and get strategic lands added to Mount Diablo State Park.
Please send a message simultaneously to state officials and agencies to urge them to break the logjam! Click the button below to send a quick and easy email.
|
|
Save Mount Diablo's
Four Days Diablo—Hiking Adventure
April 24 to 27, 2024
Join us for an unforgettable four-day adventure on Mount Diablo!
Four Days Diablo is a “gently roughing it” camping trip that leads you on an adventure through rarely seen Mount Diablo landscapes, including Save Mount Diablo’s very own signature 1,080-acre property, Curry Canyon Ranch.
The route follows the 31-mile Diablo Trail across six regional parks and preserves.
Each day as you tour and examine the majestic wild lands, our crew hauls your gear and sets up the next camp while talented local chefs create an amazing evening meal.
|
|
Discover Diablo
Krane Pond Property Dedication
Thursday, March 14
9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Save Mount Diablo's Lot 25
Please join Save Mount Diablo in the dedication of our newest land acquisition, Krane Pond!
This beautiful 6.69-acre property has one of the largest ponds on the north aspect of Mount Diablo, and it is adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park. It is certainly a wildlife haven.
|
|
Discover Diablo
On Belay—Rock Climbing
Saturday, March 23
7:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Pinnacles National Park
Join Save Mount Diablo for a day of rock climbing and exploring the Diablo Range at Pinnacles National Park!
We'll travel through caves and catacombs, then climb. Rock climbing is a very fun activity with great benefits.
|
|
|
Mount Diablo Trails Alliance
Dig Day on Upper Summit Trail
Sunday, March 24
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Mount Diablo State Park
Join Mount Diablo Trails Alliance in their upcoming dig days maintaining Mount Diablo State Park's trails!
You'll have fun, get your hands dirty, and help keep Mount Diablo's trails safe and accessible for hikers.
|
|
Two Days Diablo—Biking Adventure |
|
Join Save Mount Diablo’s Executive Director, Ted Clement, and Land Programs Director, Sean Burke, on a two-day camping and mountain biking trip that leads you through stunning Mount Diablo landscapes.
As you bike your way along the Diablo Trail, our expert guides will provide information about the natural and human history of the area.
When you arrive at Save Mount Diablo’s very own signature 1,080-acre property and field station, Curry Canyon Ranch, to camp for the evening, you’ll be met with your favorite wine and beer, and, after sunset, a sumptuous dinner.
Even though we’ll be located within an hour’s drive to a major metropolis, you’ll leave civilization behind as you notice eagles and falcons flying above a western box canyon riddled with hundreds of caves, wildflower meadows, and dense woodland views uninterrupted for miles.
Come get lost in nature with us, right here in our own backyard!
|
|
|
|
Edward Sortwell Clement, Jr.
Executive Director
|
|
|
|
Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited nonprofit land trust founded in 1971. Our mission is to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, and watersheds; and its sustaining Diablo Range, through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. Learn more.
|
|
Header image by Stephen Joseph |
|
|
|
|
|
|
