THE CAMPAIGN TO EXPAND FRANKLIN RIDGE (CONTINUED)

Critically Important Habitat

Intact wildlife refuges and corridors are indispensable places that wild species need to survive a changing world. The East Bay hosts several thriving refuges, but these are incomplete, lacking the size and interconnectedness required. Expanding Franklin Ridge is one of our best opportunities to acquire newly available privately-held lands that will fill in gaps, expand boundaries, and connect protected areas that buffer our existing wild places.

Southwest of Martinez, Franklin Ridge is critical habitat for the threatened Alameda whipsnake and the endangered California red-legged frog. Mountain lions and American badgers are generally unseen, but there is abundant evidence that they use these lands as thoroughfares. Patrolling overhead are stunning raptors such as golden eagles and white-tailed kites. This is a natural treasure within one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas.

A Record of Success

The fact that protected wild places exist today is due to the foresight of conservationists in the last century who valued the preservation of wild lands over unchecked development. Our responsibility today is to complete the task and move it forward for generations to come. JMLT works with willing landowners who want to preserve their former family ranches and farms. This process can take years, even decades.

New Opportunities

Kenneth Gerlack Preserve is a beautiful 100-acre property that completes the missing segment along the ridgeline partially filled with the acquisition of Almond Ranch. Well-defined ravines, hilltops, plateaus, open grasslands, and deciduous native oak woodlands carpet its northerly facing slopes. The views are stunning. The southwest corner adds to the Bay Area Ridge Trail on wide fire trails—something that has been in the planning stages for decades.

Barnett Ranch occupies 134 acres at the area’s western end. Its sweeping grasslands draw the eye out to San Francisco Bay, the Marin Headlands, and a dramatic view across San Pablo Bay to northern wine country valleys.

Linus Eukel, Executive Director

SOLD-OUT CROWD FOR CONSERVATION JANET POPESCO ARCHIBALD CONCERT

Many thanks to the photographers who contributed to this issue:

Jay Dean, Adam Weidenbach, James Wilson, Susan Wood

The Lowell Ensemble with special guest artists Karen Hutchinson, Zachariah Spellman, The Cecilia Ensemble (musicians from the SF Opera and Ballet Orchestras), and Yuzo!, presented a magical afternoon of "Music Inspired By Nature" on March 12 at the Campbell Theatre in Martinez. Enjoying a beautiful program of eclectic musical favorites, the sold-out audience was thrilled by an unforgettable concert bursting with spirit and joy. The proceeds from all ticket sales were donated to JMLT. Our sincere gratitude goes to all the performers and attendees for their truly generous gifts!

PROJECT GOALS:

EXPAND: Increase the permanently protected portion of a vital 10,000-acre wilderness corridor.

STRENGTHEN: Bolster climate resilience through biodiversity, healthy watershed, and fire mitigation.

PROTECT: Preserve vital habitat for native species.

CONNECT: Extend trails of historic importance that advance bold visions for connecting the entire Bay Area. Foster generations of nature enthusiasts by providing exceptional close-to-home outdoor recreation.

Continued from page 3

Acquiring the Barnett Ranch property is an essential step toward a hopedfor future unbroken connection to Fernandez Ranch and East Bay Regional Park District’s Crockett Hills. This interconnection would make for a protected landscape of state-wide importance.

TRACKS!

JMLT Stewardship Director

James Wilson came across these tracks on Sky Ranch in January. The telltale is the three lobes on the heel and no nails. Tracks were also discovered on Mount Wanda. Predators need open space to roam freely, and places such as Franklin Ridge are among the few they have left. It’s one thing to know mountain lions are up there; quite another to walk alongside their fresh tracks!

Trails: Nature for People, Too Barnett Ranch and Kenneth Gerlack Preserve bring together numerous regionally significant trails including the Bay Area Ridge Trail, the 50-mile Carquinez Strait Scenic Loop Trail, the San Francisco Bay Trail, the Great California Delta Trail, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail, the California Riding and Hiking Trail and the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Feeder Trail # 1, one of the oldest in the Bay Area, was used in the 1850s by people traveling on horseback and in stagecoach. Today these trails connect Carquinez Strait Regional Shoreline, Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, and Briones Regional Park.

It's Urgent

Undeveloped ranches are highly sought after for commercial and residential development. When they come on the market, we in the land trust community must move quickly. California’s 30x30 Initiative is making unprecedented public funds available for the purchase of these lands, but there is much competition for that support. Undeniably important for receiving these grants is communities demonstrating local support by contributing their own funds. Each gift, of any size, makes a difference. We must act now.