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.