As we celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we recognize the Muir Heritage Land Trust exists because people have long dedicated themselves to its continuance and vitality. Countless individuals devoted long hours of work, punctuated with moments of elation. The beginnings and growth—the life—of the Muir Heritage Land Trust are imbedded in their experiences and remembrances.

Memories are carried in the heart as well as the mind. The impressions they leave, the meaning they carry, are as important as the cold facts. Each memory evokes something beyond fact, an irreplaceable moment in a life. Many of them are intertwined with the history of the Land Trust.

This account can encompass neither the accomplishments nor the nuanced recollections of all who contributed. This tale instead offers highlights culled from witnesses of the time, and unfolds through washes of memory.

As we honor the past and those who were here in the beginning, we understand that each new experience builds history, and that our future depends on the dedication of the people who continue the work today.

“Trust formed to protect Martinez open space”
The Tribune, September 1, 1989

The idea of forming a land trust was a gleam in the eye of Tina Batt (then Wilson), along with Hal Olson and Mary Ann Gaebe in 1987. The three members of the Alhambra Valley Specific Plan Committee started a dialog on development rights for the proposed 235-acre Stonehurst subdivision in the area. Fellow committee member and developer Jim Busby of Security Owners Corporation already had approval from Contra Costa County to develop homes on five acre lots. Instead, he thought it made more sense to cluster the homes on 1 ½ acre lots and leave 150 acres as open space. His plan was to dedicate the development rights to the open land to the county.

The county had just extinguished a scenic easement for an Alhambra Valley property to accommodate a landowner’s request to build on the ridgeline. That didn’t sit too well with Tina, Hal and Mary Ann. They agreed the Stonehurst development rights might be more secure in the hands of an organization dedicated to preserving land. The problem was, no such group existed in the area.

Tina enlisted the help of the Trust for Public Land (TPL), which organized workshops on setting up a land trust. It was there the fledgling group met future Board Member Nancy Schaefer, who worked for TPL and lent invaluable expertise. Nancy, who for most of her life has worked to save open space, was interested “in working in my own backyard,” she said. (Nancy is still a member of our Land Acquisition Committee.) Then future first Treasurer, Tim Platt, joined the group.

The handful of volunteers plunged ahead by working on the maze of paperwork—articles of incorporation, bylaws, an application for nonprofit status. A good deal of discussion ensued on how the organization should be organized, and what they wanted to accomplish. Tim remembers early meetings spent gathered around the dining table at the home of future Board Member Jeanne Will. (Jeanne’s death on Christmas of 1997 was a great loss to our team.) Tina attended TPL’s first year-long program for training land counselors.

Looking to get other people involved, the nascent group announced its first annual meeting,. Held in the hall of the McMahon-Telfer building in Martinez, across the landing from where the Land Trust’s offices are now (and always have been), the gathering drew about 40 people.

On July 26, 1989, an organization was officially born, named the Martinez Regional Land Trust. Tina, Hal, Nancy and Tim were the four founding Board Members on the legal by-laws. When office space was needed, passionate conservationists Jack and Asilee Telfer donated space in their building. (Jack, who was a Board Member for eight years, died in 2007.)

New, inexperienced, and with few assets, the group’s band of volunteers plotted the future. A 14-member Board of Directors was established, with Hal as the first Board Chair. Hal sees his biggest contribution as persuading Hulet Hornbeck to become a Board Member. “Hulet’s background in land acquisition for the East Bay Regional Park District was vital to the Land Trust’s negotiations for our land acquisitions,” he said. His second biggest role, he said, was “to chair the meetings and keep them on track.” An Advisory Board was also formed, which had the duty of recommending new board members. Others joined the Steering, Fundraising and other committees. Publicity on the organization’s founding began to attract members—about 100 of them.

Tim also remembers meetings held in the offices of Jim Cutler, then the Chief of Comprehensive Planning for Contra Costa County (and current Land Trust Honorary Board Member). Jim displayed a dazzling map “we were salivating over,” with myriad transparent overlays in multiple colors. “Good maps were hard to come by then,” said Tim. The Land Trust later adopted it as a base map for planning our area of interest.

The Board agreed one goal of a successful land trust was clear: All projects must include working cooperatively with everyone needed to fulfill our mission—willing landowners, individuals, public agencies, foundations and other organizations. From its inception, the group has involved ranchers, developers, environmentalists, real estate brokers, business people, and other concerned citizens.

The subdivision that started it all became the Martinez Regional Land Trust’s first completed project. Board Member and lawyer Peter Langley worked pro bono to develop the conservation easement. In March of 1991, Security Owners Corporation dedicated the development rights to 150 acres of open space in the Stonehurst subdivision to the new Land Trust.

But the group had already taken on something they weren’t sure they were ready for…

“Pledge $75,000 for JMNHS expansion/86 acres”
Contra Costa Times, March 31, 1991

Still new, inexperienced and with few assets, the Land Trust took on what seemed a massive undertaking in February of 1991. Local rancher Gordon Strain was negotiating with the National Park Service for the sale of 186 acres of his ranch as an addition to John Muir National Historic Site. The land had once been part of Muir’s fruit ranch—and Muir had named its highest hill after his oldest daughter, Wanda.

Negotiations were at a stalemate, and another $75,000 was needed to accomplish the acquisition. Many feared the funding Congressman George Miller had earmarked for the project would be taken to support the then-waging Gulf War. “The Land Trust took a position in support of Gordon, the property owner,” said Tina. With trepidation, the Land Trust made a pledge for the remaining $75,000 and the deal was closed. Jack Telfer gave the Land Trust an 18-month interest-free loan.

The decision came with some anguish. Board Member Everett Turner’s angst was quoted in the Times article: “Turner says the decision to make the pledge, due in 18 months, was frightening. ‘We were all a little queasy.’”

In the Times article, Tina zeroed in on what needed to be done: “for the first time, it is learning the ropes of fund raising.” Tina started writing to major foundations and businesses asking for contributions, although today she admits “I didn’t know what I was doing, but I did it.”.

In February of 1992, the group’s first auction “fun-raiser,” chaired by Board Member Mary Ann Gaebe, brought in $10,000. Individual donations started pouring in when Contra Costa Times Columnist Gary Bogue ran a donation campaign in his column, raising thousands of dollars. Volunteer Martha Joseph wrote a series of articles in the Martinez Gazette, which brought in more than $3,000. The San Francisco Foundation was an early supporter, contributing $25,000. But a year later, the group had raised less than half of the money.

The last six months may have been a nail biter, but support continued. One reader alone of Gary Bogue’s column gave $12,000. Tina’s quick study in learning “fund-raising ropes” garnered major contributions from many foundations and businesses.

“Land Trust Makes Good on $75,000 Pledge”
Martinez News- Gazette, August 4, 1992

Because the Land Trust is the story of people, life and death are a part of the past two decades.

After 18 months of anxiety, the Land Trust Board was able pay off the $75,000 loan as promised. In July of 1992, the Land Trust held a dedication to celebrate the completion of the Mt. Wanda addition to the John Muir National Historic Site.

Gordon spoke to the assembled crowd: “I think we have really set something aside for the community that will last a long time.”

Those may have been his last words. Minutes later, Gordon collapsed and died of a heart attack. Just as his years of effort to forever protect his land was being celebrated, his fragile life was over. The sadness of that time lingers, but is tempered by the accuracy of his words. He did indeed “set something aside” that will last a long, long time.

“A Sleepy Deer”
George Swanson, DDS, Land Trust newsletter, Fall 1999

What Gordon set aside is for all of us. “Us” includes creatures with two, four or no legs.

We do not fully know how their little lives are hitched to ours, how they support a richer, more beautiful, more sustainable life for us. Some day we might, but we must ensure that they still thrive when that happens.

In “A Sleepy Deer,” former Board Member George Swanson discovered a “sleepy deer’s half-closed eye” watching him from behind his backyard fence as he was gardening. He had never seen a deer sleeping near his home during six years of living there. “Then it struck me—loss of habitat!” he said. The hilltop behind his home, once filled with oak trees, had been flattened, “replaced by a fancy development of 4000-square-foot homes and asphalt cul-de-sacs.”

“Environmentalists,” said George, “often use the word ‘sustainability.’ Simply put, the land must be managed so that all populations of creatures can survive.”

“The native plants have been self-sustaining and self-renewing for thousands of years.”
Carol Baier, Land Trust newsletter, Fall, 1991

The Martinez Regional Land Trust was awarded a small but significant grant in 1991—for $3,000—that helped find out more about the land, plants and animals we wanted to protect. The grant, from the World Wildlife Fund/Successful Communities Grant Program, was used to fund the Briones Bioregion Resource Inventory.

Conducted by Board Member Carol Baier, five other Board Members and a Scientific Advisory Committee, the study helped map a course for the organization. Said Tina at the time: “We feel a resource inventory of existing habitats and species…is the first step toward permanent protection of priority lands within this region.” The boundaries of the study coincided with the Briones Hills Agricultural Preserve and, Tina recently said, the study “helped promote the area as needing recognition, and highlighted the species living there.”

“The company had bulldozed the property without authorization or permits.”
Land Trust newsletter, Fall 2001

The Carquinez shoreline was another focus of interest for the Land Trust, because it encompasses a habitat that has been almost wiped out in the Bay Area.

In 1991, a former saltwater tidal marsh—then known as the Praxis property—had been scraped bald, bulldozed and diked by the owners. Because they did so without permits, the Army Corps of Engineers had just cited the owners for violating the Clean Water Act. Still, the Praxis Development Group continued to pursue its goal of developing the 247 acres as a light industrial park. The plan received broad-based opposition from governmental agencies, nonprofit groups and individuals.

Tina hoped the Land Trust could obtain the land, but the idea became a lesson in patience. She submitted a grant proposal seeking funding for the purchase, but it was not awarded.

Meanwhile, the salt marsh harvest mouse—a federally listed endangered species—was found on site. In addition, the project’s Environmental Impact Report was denied by the City of Martinez. After that, the owner seemed to abandon the property and stopped paying taxes on it.

A full ten years later, Pacheco Marsh—the property’s new name—was up for a tax sale. The Land Trust formed a partnership with the Contra Costa County Flood Control District and the East Bay Regional Park District, which recognizes the parcel’s importance as a junction for the Bay Trail and Iron Horse Trail. The Land Trust generated a grant from the Trust for Public Land to purchase the property, but the county holds title to it. The county’s plan to restore salt water tidal flow to the land is still pending, but freshwater wetland vegetation has reenergized portions of the land.

As little as eight percent of salt water marshes remain in the Bay Area, so reclaiming this one will be significant. In addition, Pacheco Marsh is likely habitat for six different endangered species.

Passion and Perseverance

Tina Batt spent years working as the Executive Director for the Land Trust without pay. “In the beginning she had no experience,” said Mary Ann, “but she had a passion, and went after it. And she had perseverance.”
Tina spent long hours training and applying what she learned to map out the group’s future. In 1992, she had to leave her non-paying job for a paying one, so she went to work at the Lindsay Museum for two years. Everett Turner stepped in as the Land Trust’s Executive Director during that time (Everett, who served on the Board for ten years, passed away last year). Since its beginning, volunteer administrative help kept everything going, Board Members Jeanne Will and Fran Fraser were stalwarts among them.

After two years, the Land Trust was able to bring Tina back on a contract basis. She had spent two years working with the Lindsay’s development directors, so when she returned “I knew how to fund raise,” she said. That was key, as much was about to happen.

An educational program that Tina worked on at the time was the Shell Marsh Interpretive Program. The Land Trust was the first to bring visitors to Shell Marsh, before it had a staging area. School children participated in field trips and restoration projects. The Land Trust developed a Docent Training Program and a Teacher’s Grant Program. Former Board Member Bill Weiner even purchased and donated a school bus so children could have transportation to our educational programs.

“San Francisco Foundation Donates $15,000 for Franklin Ridge Plan”
Land Trust newsletter, Spring 1996

Strategic planning may be a bit tedious and time consuming, but it’s the core of an organization. In 1996, the Land Trust used a $15,000 San Francisco Foundation grant to define its Franklin Ridge Protection Plan, which became our first targeted planning corridor within the Briones Hills Agricultural Preserve Area. The Franklin Ridge corridor stretches northwest from Mt. Wanda in Martinez to Hercules.

The San Francisco Foundation grant, according to the newsletter article, was “to coordinate land acquisition activities with public land holding agencies, local, municipal and county, state and federal legislators, in order to acquire properties that are now for sale in the area known as Franklin Ridge.” Park District Board Member Ted Radke said the area could become “the largest urban wilderness in the United States.”

“Land Trust Sets Sights On ‘Sky Ranch’”
Martinez News-Gazette, January 16, 1997

Who knows what the Philippines-based corporate owners thought of a small nonprofit taking on a Goliath of a project. But they accepted the Land Trust’s offer of a purchase agreement for a 242-acre parcel of land in the Franklin Ridge. Again, we had 18 months to raise the money. The stakes, however, were much higher—the purchase price was $685,000.

The Sky Ranch acquisition project budget included administrative funding, so at last we had the funds to hire Tina as a staff Executive Director.

Tina’s fundraising efforts paid off in grants and individual donations. A newly launched Major Donor Program encouraged larger donations. But after 18 months, we were a disappointing $190,000 short of the goal. At the time, Tina told reporters, “We just couldn’t let this property go.” So, the Land Trust took out a loan and bought the property. By the spring of 2000, we had paid off the loan.

“For the first few years of the Land Trust, it was a long, hard struggle,” said Mary Ann Gaebe (still a member of the Outreach and Land Acquisition committees). “Part of the struggle was getting people to believe in us and that we could do something.”

Sky Ranch showed that we were the little land trust that could. In the Contra Costa Times (July 10, 1998), James Bruggers reported: “In its first major acquisition atop Franklin Ridge, the Martinez Regional Land Trust has purchased an oak-studded parcel essential to the group’s plan for keeping housing from a prominent landscape many consider vital for wildlife, recreation and scenic views.”

The roller coaster ride was getter faster; the Land Trust was entering what Tina today calls “a period of big growth. We moved to a model of putting together a menu of projects and programs.”

“Keep close to nature’s heart…”
–John Muir

By 1999, the Martinez Regional Land Trust had outgrown its name, because our area of work expanded well beyond Martinez. Yet changing it was a risk. After spending ten years developing a presence in the community, a name change brought up two issues. First, we could be throwing our name recognition away, and second, finding a suitable name might be problematic.

The risk was taken, and we became the Muir Heritage Land Trust. In our newsletter, Tina said: “The new name, the Muir Heritage Land Trust, is intended to associate our mission to preserve land with both the heritage of land conservation in our nation and John Muir, the founder of our National Park system.”

“Trust secures Franklin Ridge parcel”
Contra Costa Times, April 4, 2000

In late 1998, just before our 10th Anniversary, our newsletter announced, “Our membership has now reached close to 700 individuals from all over the Bay Area.” The article continued: “Where will we go next? How will we raise the funds necessary to protect all the lands we’ve identified as priority acquisitions? These are questions we’re having to answer as we enter our next decade of land conservation.”

The Coastal Conservancy, a steadfast supporter of the Land Trust since its inception, helped answer the second question.

When Feeder Trail #1 was threatened, equestrians, hikers, nonprofit groups and ranchers came together in a fight to save it as a trail. The owner of the Gustin property in the Franklin Ridge subdivided the land into four parcels, and access to the development would require turning the county’s oldest trail into a paved road.

The Land Trust was able to extinguish that idea by agreeing to purchase the 80-acre Gustin property and the easement for 1 ½ miles of Feeder Trail #1 leading to it. The Coastal Conservancy contributed $100,000 toward the purchase and loaned us the remaining $380,000.

The Times article stated: “The historic route…was used nearly a century ago by pioneering conservationist John Muir to get from his Martinez home to ferry stations in west Contra Costa.” Hulet Hornbeck, who negotiated the deal and whose work has saved open space and trails for decades, said “All of this is very exciting. A lot of us really thought it wouldn’t happen.”

The property is near Sky Ranch, so we now had protected 472 acres of open space in the Franklin Ridge. That is, once we secured the grants and contributions to complete the deal.

In January of 2003, we paid off the loan—on the eve of our 15th Anniversary.

“Yes, much has been saved. But so much is still up for grabs.”
John King, San Francisco Chronicle, February 19, 2000

Columnist John King wrote about the importance of the Muir Heritage Land Trust’s work in a way that brought it to life. From the top of a hill in Briones, he said, “From here, Sky Ranch was just one ridge among many—but one without houses. Up close we see the mistakes of growth in gruesome detail. Rise above, and what is distinct is the sweeping beauty that remains.”

The Land Trust was working hard to protect “the beauty that remains.” From 2000 to 2003, Tina said “we initiated 15 land preservation projects” (Land Trust newsletter, Fall, 2003).

To study and monitor the lands under—or soon to be under—Land Trust ownership, we hired Beth Pardieck as Stewardship Associate in 2002. Still with us as Stewardship Manager, Beth is the longest-standing employee on staff. Her busy schedule includes helping oversee numerous restoration plans and projects.

“It started with a few kids...”

One of our first restoration projects began in 2002 when Marshall Burgamy, then Director of the Martinez Continuation and Adult Education School, was looking for ways to incorporate environmental education in his school. “Tina was looking for educational partnerships to bring the Land Trust conservation work to local classrooms,” said Beth Pardieck, “and to bring local students to Land Trust properties to learn about conservation first hand.”

From these desires came a groundbreaking program. A coalition of five community partners, known as the Alhambra Creek Restoration and Environmental Education Collaborative, or ACREEC, was formed. The ACREEC partners include the Martinez Unified School District, Muir Heritage Land Trust, Friends of Alhambra Creek, Urban Creeks Council, Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and the City of Martinez. The plan was to involve students in the much-needed restoration of a portion of Alhambra Creek.

A section of creek near the campus of Briones Independent Studies High School and the Vincente Continuing Education High School was the target area. Tina wrote and secured a grant from the Urban Streams Grant Program of the Department of Water Resources. The Urban Creeks Council was hired and the restoration project began, which entailed reconfiguring and stabilizing the banks, and planting native vegetation. The high school students and teachers participated in the environmental work after school as time allowed.

In 2003, part-time teacher Rona Zollinger began participating in the student program, known as the Environmental Studies Academy (ESA), and later became its leader. “Rona is the inspiration, energy and soul behind the ESA,” said Beth. Rona is now employed by the Martinez Unified School District as a full time ESA teacher and has received several awards for her work.

ESA students have not been successful in the traditional high school environment. Most of them have been affected by economic hardship, parental absence or foster care, or drug abuse. The students find their lives are changed by this innovative school with a curriculum based entirely on environmental lessons. In turn, the students’ activities benefit the wider community. For example, for their EcoLiteracy Peer Mentoring Project, they prepare and teach lessons to elementary school children each week.

The Land Trust benefits from the students’ work on restoration projects on our properties. They often work at Sky Ranch, fencing off areas from cattle, planting native plants and monitoring plants and wildlife. “The students have greatly improved the habitat,” said Beth. “And they love the days they get to go to Sky Ranch.”

Beth has coordinated Land Trust activities with the ESA since the beginning, and has seen its growth under Rona’s leadership: “It was an experiment that turned out great. It started with a few kids who worked on it when they had time. Now it’s the entire school full time.” The Land Trust considers its role in the ESA “one of our greatest successes,” she said.

“Dutra Ranch—A Great 15th Anniversary Present”
Land Trust newsletter, Spring 2004

An important role of the Land Trust is to provide an option to landowners who wanted to preserve their land as open space rather than sell it for development. Letting local landowners know that the option exists is key.

Before Margaret Dutra, the matriarch of the Dutra family, died, Tina had talked with her about her land. Margaret expressed a desire to preserve the land that had been in her family since 1917. When she passed away, her family approached the Land Trust in hopes of fulfilling Margaret’s wishes. “We had the wonderful opportunity of working with the family,” said Tina recently.

The 158-acre property happened to be a key property that would link Sky Ranch and the newly acquired Gustin Ranch. Buying Dutra Ranch meant 660 acres of contiguous open space would be preserved. Like our other Franklin Ridge properties, Dutra Ranch hosts a rich and varied habitat for native, endangered and threatened species of plants, trees and animals. The land “holds deep and interconnected stories of human toil and California’s history,” as I wrote in an article for Bay Nature magazine. (The article, “The Dutra Ranch Loop Trail,” was also printed in the Land Trust newsletter of Autumn 2004.)

At the Dutra Ranch dedication on October 9, 2004, Michael Muir (John Muir’s great grandson) first brought his horse-drawn carriage that allows physically challenged individuals to visit our wild places. He credits that day as being the beginning of Access Adventure, his nonprofit organization that allows people with all levels of physical abilities to enjoy the outdoors.

While celebrating the Dutra Ranch acquisition, we were already at work on our largest project to date. At this time, the Land Trust welcomed Linus Eukel to the small staff as the new Communications and Development Director.

“Fernandez Ranch: A Natural Legacy”
Land Trust newsletter, Spring 2005

“…we are close to accomplishing our greatest challenge, the completion of the Fernandez Ranch acquisition,” said Tina in the spring newsletter.

Part of Don Ignacio Martinez’s original Spanish land grant, the Fernandez property was once 9,000 acres. The Land Trust was about to purchase the remaining 702 acres of the property from the descendants of Bernardo and Carlotta Fernandez. Bernardo came to California in 1853, some years after joining the navy and leaving his home country of Portugal at age 13. He was a merchant, not a cattleman, who hired others to oversee his cattle on the property. Bernardo became a prominent founder of the city of Pinole.

Through the assistance of Congressman Miller, we received federal funding that helped us raise the $3.2 million purchase price. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contributed $400,000 in funds, with a requirement to incorporate the East Bay Regional Park District as a partner in the acquisition.

The home of two creeks, oak woodlands, natural springs, grass meadows and scrub, the terrain offers varied habitat. The land is stunningly beautiful and full of wildlife. An exciting new sighting is wildlife biologist Jerry Roe’s discovery of a breeding pair of red-legged frogs (federally listed as threatened) near a stock pond on the property.

The terrain presents challenges of restoration and infrastructure to bring the public to the land, but the planning and permitting process is complete. We hope to begin the work soon, so we can all spend sun-and-fog (or frog) kissed days there.

Home on the Ranch

Ranching and agricultural uses have been an important part of the area’s history, as it became a hub for the production of grain, fruit and cattle. John Muir inherited his father-in-law’s fruit ranch, which was covered with orchards of all kinds.

Crucial to Land Trust work is the support of local ranchers and farmers, many of whose families have lived on the land for decades. When and if they want their land to remain open space, the Land Trust can help them do that. The Dutra and Fernandez families are examples of those who wanted their land preserved and were delighted the Land Trust is here to protect their family’s historic land for the future.

… the Land Trust has always been like my third child…”
Tina Batt, Land Trust newsletter, Spring 2006

Tina was a founder and driving force behind the Land Trust, yet she had much to learn in the beginning, along with the rest of the Board. But during her 17 years with the organization, the Land Trust had protected many properties, forged many alliances and built a loyal membership.

Said Hal, “What a spokesman we had in Tina…we were lucky.”

In 2006, Tina left to attend the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University to earn a Mid-Career Masters of Public Administration. She was uncertain whether or not she’d return to helm the Land Trust again.

Tina recommended to the Board that Linus Eukel, whom she had mentored for the position, take over as Acting Executive Director. At that time, Suzanne Jones was also hired as a part-time land specialist consultant. When Tina decided not to return to her former post, she strongly endorsed the decision of the Board of Directors to hire Linus as the permanent Executive Director in January of 2007. “It’s been a very successful transition,” said Tina. As we were lucky to have Tina in the formative years, we are equally lucky in her successor.

“Do You Love Them Enough?”
Land Trust newsletter, Fall, 2000

In a September, 2000 article in the San Francisco Chronicle, reporter John King called the Land Trust an “environmental group that, in a blend of activism and common sense, knows that it takes more than crossed fingers or pitched battles to keep open space open. You also need a war chest.” In a challenge to readers, he asked, “Do you love ‘your’ empty hills enough to put your money where your views are?”

Many years before, I was opening mail at the Land Trust’s tiny office. A few donation envelopes were in the mail, but one stood out. The contribution was for only ten dollars. A note in the shaky handwriting of an elderly person read, “I wish it could be more.” I felt the ache of his frustration.

He knew, and I knew, that ten dollars wouldn’t go very far when we were trying to raise money in the millions to purchase land. We all “wish it could be more,” that we weren’t always asking for funding, that we could protect our most beautiful places now before they’re gone.

At the same time, the writer understood what we were doing, that he wanted so much to help, and he gave to the limit of his resources. That is the most we can ask, and represents the spirit that has kept us growing.

At Last—Franklin Canyon
Horizons (Land Trust newsletter), Autumn 2008

Franklin Canyon is adjacent to our Fernandez Ranch, and for years the Land Trust was aware of the controversy surrounding the property. Major development plans were approved for the property, beginning in 1990, but the voting citizens of Hercules had twice rejected the development plans. The Land Trust followed their leadership.

After extensive negotiations with the owners, Linus was at last able to announce a purchase agreement for 423 acres of Franklin Canyon. We are now in the process of raising the $2.5 million we need to complete the purchase. Once we do, we will have protected 1,125 acres of contiguous open space, safeguarding a fertile watershed and essential habitat.

Imagining a Wild Future

Franklin Canyon is just part of our five-year, $8.5 million Keep It Wild Campaign. No one takes on the task of raising $8.5 million lightly. For a small nonprofit, this is a challenge. Our Keep It Wild Campaign begins with the same anxiety the Land Trust board experienced in 1991, with that $75,000 pledge to help secure a part of John Muir’s former ranchland for the public.

As we were in 1998, we are still the only private land preservation organization working in our area of interest.

The work to reach the goal is worth it. “Without question, the Land trust’s work is an investment in the future,” said Linus. We’ll need a great deal of energy, spirit and determination to help us protect our natural heritage, our wild legacy, our future. Twenty years of growth, success and experience says we can do it.

“What is now proved was once imagined.”
—William Blake

The room is plain, not elegant. The rather austere meeting hall of the McMahon-Telfer Building seems an unlikely incubator for preserving open space.

The first Land Trust Board met there. The room has seen the first public meeting, along with decades of Land Trust celebrations. The bare brick walls have witnessed many ideas and struggles, all with the goal of preserving our wonderful wild places. Each mind may have a different reason for doing this work, but I submit that the heart knows only one.

In a 2003 Land Trust fundraising letter, I wrote: “More than escape, finding solace in the natural world slows time and distills life. William Blake may have captured it best:

‘To see a world in a grain of sand,/
And heaven in a wild flower,/
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,/
And eternity in an hour.’

To experience that feeling even once is to understand the importance of our connection with nature. When walking the earth lifts our spirits, when a leaf echoes eternity, when we can be a link to the past and the future, we must certainly preserve the places that in turn restore us.”