Fall 2002

MUIR HERITAGE LAND TRUST

Contra Costa Goldfields Easement

MHLT AWARDED FUNDS TO PROTECT RARE PLANT

he Muir Heritage Land Trust is one step closer to permanently preserving habitat for a rare native plant. The Land Trust recently received $200,000 from the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, the countys transportation planning and funding agency. The funds will be used to protect a creekside area and the endangered Contra Costa Goldfields. As part of an effort to minimize disruption to the environment following the recent expansion of Highway 4, a 30-acre conservation easement in Franklin Canyon will be donated to the Land Trust. The property is adjacent to the highway between Cummings Skyway and Interstate 80 in Hercules. The Land Trust plans to manage the site in a way to encourage the propagation of the Goldfields. Partnerships with various agencies have made the project possible. In addition to the Land Trust and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA), the effort has involved Caltrans and the Native Plant Society. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is committed to preserving and enhancing these environmentally sensitive

areas as part of our Route 4 freeway construction project. Partnering with an organization as well respected and experienced as the Muir Heritage Land Trust will ensure that the environmental value of these lands will be preserved for future generations, said Paul Maxwell, Deputy Director of Projects for CCTA. Transfer of the conservation easement to the Land Trust is expected to be completed in 2004. The property, now owned by Contra Costa County, will be transferred to the state of California in 2004. The property encompasses several types of habitat for a variety of plants and animals. In all, 177 species of animals and 300 species of
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John Game

Stephen Joseph

CONTRA COSTA GOLDFIELDS

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plants inhabit the area. Nine species observed in the area are classified as special status (species that are listed as threatened or endangered). The easement will protect one of the last sites of the endangered Contra Costa Goldfields in the Bay Area. The Contra Costa Goldfields (Lasthenia conjugens) is a spring annual in the aster family, and its bright yellow flowers bloom from March to June. It is actually an herb that grows to a height of 4 to 12 inches with light green, feather-like leaves. Only 13 known populations exist in four counties. MUIR HERITAGE LAND TRUST
P. O. Box 2452 MARTINEZ, CA 94553 (925) 228-5460 FAX (925) 372-5460 EMAIL: info@.muirheritagelandtrust.org www.muirheritagelandtrust.org STAFF
Tina Batt, Executive Director Marilyn Rigdon, Executive Associate Beth Pardieck, Stewardship Associate

The Goldfields are located in the grassland habitat of the property. The grasslands support myriad plant species, and foraging and nesting habitat for many birds. Among these are short-eared owls and northern harrier hawks. Also observed in the area are American kestrels, white-tailed kites, turkey vultures, western bluebirds, lesser goldfinches, American goldfinches and a host of other species. Rodeo Creek runs through the Goldfields easement, providing a rich habitat populated with native and other fish species. The creek area is also habitat for amphibians and frogs, including the red-legged frog, a federally listed threatened species. Numerous birds, including mallards,

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steve Pardieck, Chair Nancy Schaefer, Vice Chair Mary Ann Gaebe, Secretary Sheila Grilli, Treasurer Dick Awenius Peter Colby Roger Dolan Ken Fischer Peter Langley Don Manning Kathryn Petersen Marj Ross Bill Weiner Mark Wilson

EMERITUS B OARD MEMBERS

Hulet Hornbeck Hal Olson Jack Telfer Everett Turner

Preservation of open space is vital to our quality of life in the Bay Area. Through Muir Heritage Land Trusts excellent leadership, scenic Contra Costa wildlands are being saved for future generations. Congressman George Miller

H ONORARY B OARD MEMBER

Jim Cutler

great egrets and belted kingfishers have been observed foraging along the creek. The area also hosts mammals such as coyotes, raccoons and small rodents. Land Trust Executive Director Tina Batt describes the projects importance to preservation of natural resources in our area: This property is a important piece of habitat, she said. In addition, it may be one of the last stands for the Contra Costa Goldfields in the area for which it is named.

E DITOR
Sherida Bush

N EWSLETTER C ONTRIBUTORS

Tina Batt, John Kopchik, Beth Pardieck, Marilyn Rigdon

PHOTO CREDITS: Tina Batt, John Game,

Todd Kiker, Stephen Joseph, Chris Manning, Bob Walker

GARY BOGUE TO SPEAK AT LAND TRUST ANNUAL MEETING

Garys topic is Creatures of the Urban Wilderness. His popular columns about animals and nature draw loyal readers and make him a perfect speaker for the Land Trust. On behalf of the Land Trust, he was kind enough to include an appeal for funding in a series of his columns in October. The columns have brought in nearly $21,000 (as of Nov. 1) in funds to pay off our loan on the Gustin property. We appreciate his support and look forward to a great evening. All are welcomeplease plan to attend. The Orinda Community Center is at 26 Orinda Way. Call the office for more information or directions at (925) 228-5460.

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ontra Costa Times columnist Gary Bogue will be the featured speaker at the Land Trust Annual Meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:30 pm. This year, the event will be held at the Orinda Community Center, which is a new location for the meeting.

GRANGERS WHARF DEDICATION FEATURED GEORGE MILLER

he Grangers Wharf area of the East Bay Regional Park Districts wildlife preserve on the Martinez Waterfront was dedicated on June 22. Congressman George Miller was a featured speaker, along with EBRPD Board Member Ted Radke and other public officials.

Congressman George Miller (right), EBRPD Board Member Ted Radke (left) and retired EBRPD Public Relations Manager Ned McKay (center).

Restoration of the wetland was completed as a partnership with the City of Martinez, Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority and the East Bay Regional Park District. The well-attended events many highlights included the release of rehabilitated birds. Take your binoculars for a good look at a variety of beautiful shorebirds.

Preserving the Future

You dont have to be wealthy to be a benefactor or major donor to the Muir Heritage Land Trust. Most everyone can benefit from tax-advantaged estate and financial planning and leave a deeply satisfying legacy as well. For information on bequests, charitable trusts, and other financial plans, call the Land Trust office at (925) 228-5460.

LAND TRUST WELCOMES BETH PARDIECK

eth Pardieck recently joined the Land Trust staff as the new Stewardship Associate. Funding for the position was awarded to the Land Trust by the Packard Foundation. Her duties will include study of the lands underor soon to be underLand Trust stewardship. I am proud to be a part of this organization, said Beth. Over the next year, I hope to contribute my energy and ideas towards stewardship in a positive way. I look forward to working with everyone and I am excited for the coming year.

Contra Costa Goldfields easement in Hercules (see page 1). Come spring, she said, we hope to see these beautiful yellow flowers making a comeback. The Stonehurst Open Space committee has been helping to resolve a few minor violations of the Stonehurst easement in Alhambra Valley and the homeowners have been cooperative. Beth will also be working on the Pacheco Marsh restoration with the East Bay Regional Park District and the Contra Costa County Flood Control District. The project, which will take several years to complete, will restore the 123 acres to a salt marsh habitat. Beth is a native of Martinez and graduated in June, 2001 from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a major in Environmental Studies. She is already a great asset to the Land Trust.

Beths first project was to produce a baseline report for each property, including Sky Ranch, Gustin, Goldfields easement, Stonehurst easement and Pacheco Marsh. Her reports include background details, property descriptions, boundaries, legal As I have been papers, ecological learning, acquiring a information and the piece of land or monitoring reports. Beth is assisting in taking responsibility This was the first monitoring the step in establishing a for a conservation monitoring program, an important part of OUR MISSION her job. She will be visiting each property The Muir Heritage Land Trust works to ensure consistently and a lasting quality of life for future documenting any generations by preserving and stewarding changes or violations.
open space and fostering environmental awareness.

easement is just the beginning for a land trust. We have the responsibility to preserve, protect and steward this land forever. The only way to ensure our conservation easement conditions are being upheld and our property managed is through regular, systematic and documented monitoring.

LANDMARK PROPOSAL COUNTY OPEN SPACE FUNDING MEASURE

Heritage Corridorthe Land Trusts project area. This corridor, described as the area where John Muir walked and worked when he wasnt traveling through the Sierra, has two sections: one in the Hercules/Martinez area and the other near Lafayette and Orinda. Protection of lands in both project areas would preserve open space between public lands and existing development. ith perhaps a new level of cooperation between diverse private and public groups, the natural resources in our county are closer to receiving the funding needed to protect them. Two and a half years ago, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors created the Ad Hoc Committee on Open Space Funding to make recommendations on whether and how to create new local funding for open space, parks, recreation, natural resource, and farmland preservation needs throughout the county. The Muir Heritage Land Trust is one of the many organizations participating in this effort. Representatives from numerous cities, organizations, agricultural interests, property owners, business owners, city commissions, and county agencies (including the Contra Costa Farm Bureau and the Contra Costa Council) have attended the meetings. The Ad Hoc committee convened the current Contra Costa County Advisory Committee on Open Space Funding, which has recommended a $130,000,000 funding measure be placed before the property owners of the county. An independent committee would grant the funds to appropriate organizations to fill a wide variety of open space needs. The Muir Heritage Land Trust would be one of the organizations receiving funds. The draft plan identifies a number of projects, one of which is preserving the Muir

Bob Walker

The plan identifies categories of open space that needs protection, including: scenic landscapes and regional parks; creeks/ watersheds; farmland; historic preservation; local and municipal parks/recreation; shorelines; trails/public access facilities; and wildlife habitat and corridors. The funding mechanism recommended by the Advisory Committee is a Benefit Assessment District. Assessment Districts place a charge on real property to pay for the special benefit conveyed to that property from a government service. Establishing the district would require a weighted majority of property owners in an election conducted by mail. Votes are weighted according to the amount of the assessment that would be paid. Currently voters are being polled to assess the feasibility of placing the measure on the ballot. The proposal has some hurdles to overcome before it becomes reality. If successful, it will be a phenomenal victory in the effort to preserve the natural resources in our community. As the proposal states, economic growth must be complemented with continued protection of our many open space resources if our quality of life is to be maintained. The draft proposal is available online at: http://www.co.contra-costa.ca.us/depart/cd/ water/OS/index.htm
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FRESH AIRE AFFAIRE SPARKLES AGAIN

he 7th Annual Fresh Aire Affaire attracted an animated group of guests who dined under a canopy of stars. The weather was just fine, and the food was fabulous. Englunds Catering was new to us this year and did an outstanding job. Even with nature center stage and history suffusing the airor airethe best part of the evening was the wonderful people who came to support the Muir Heritage Land Trust. Our thanks to Shell Oil Products US and Tesoro Golden Eagle for underwriting this great event. Special thanks to Fresh Aire Chair Mary Ann Gaebe for her dedication and hard work. We hope you will plan to attend next year! Watch for the date in the Spring newsletter.

Fresh Aire photos by Todd Kiker

Happy raffle winners show off their prizes (above, top and right). Above: MHLT Executive Director Tina Batt with Nancy Wenninger of the East Bay Regional Park District. Center: Board Member Roger Dolan with Kathy Radke. Above, right: MHLT Vice Chair Nancy Schaefer with Chair Steve Pardieck and Stewardship Associate Beth Pardieck.

SKY RANCH SPIFFED UP

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hanks to Ken Gerlack, the Land Trusts Sky Ranch is looking better than ever. Earlier this year, Ken brought in the equipment needed to remove old lumber and debris from the property (photo, right). Fall is a good time to go up and see it before the rains come. Put on your hiking shoes and take in the great outdoors... Call the office for directions at (925) 228-5460.

Tina Batt

RIDERS RAISE FUNDS FOR LAND TRUST

Benefit ride photos by Chris Manning

n September 14, the Martinez Horsemens Association held a benefit ride that raised nearly $8,000 for the Land Trust. Riders obtained sponsors, and the funds they raised were matched by Bay Area Barns and Trails thanks to Barbara Weitz. The money will go toward paying off the loan on the Gustin property. Our thanks to key organizers Chip Hankins and Barbara Glen, and to all participants and their sponsors. Got horse? Plan to ride next year...or, you are welcome to walk along...

MUIR HERITAGE LAND PRESERVATION CAMPAIGN UPDATE

The fundraising success of the Muir Heritage Land Preservation Campaign has been gratifying. We are now in the third year of the Campaign, which began in August 2000. In recent weeks, Gary Bogues appeal in his Contra Costa Times column has brought in nearly $21,000 (see p. 3), and our fundraising letter added about $8,500 to the total. To date we have raised $2,495,500 through grants from state and federal agencies, as well as contributions from public agencies. We raised $713,682 from private individuals, foundations, and corporations. We have also received donations of land and easements with a value of $900,000. Our total raised to date is $4,109,182. Much of the funding is attached to specific projects under way. We hope to reach our campaign goal of $5,000,000 by August 2003. If you would like to help, please use the enclosed envelope for your contribution. Thank you for your support.

CELEBRATE THE STRAIT BRIGHTENS AUGUST WITH EVENTS

he second Celebrate the Strait series of events in August included an array of fun and scenic outings. One sponsored by the Land Trust was a scenic bus tour of the highlights around the Carquinez Strait. On August 17, participants enjoyed the scenery and points of interest, led by Bill Weiner and Doug Burgess. Another event on August 25 was a colorful Kite Festival coordinated by our Executive Associate Marilyn Rigdon and Darla Guenzler of the Carquinez Strait Heritage Area Committee. Held at the breezy Waterfront Park in Martinez, about 500 people gathered to fly and watch. Some enjoyed participating in a contest, others made their own kites and some just enjoyed the fun. The event was cosponsored by Old City Kites in Sacramento.
Photos by Todd Kiker
Carquinez Strait Bus Tour

Muir Heritage Land Trust P.O. Box 2452 Martinez, CA 94553

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