Diablo watch issue 6 fall/winter 1991 edition

DIABLO WATCH

Save Mount Diablo

Protecting the Mountain Since 1971 FalVWinter 1991, #6

Preserving Wildlife Corridors a Major Thrust of SAVE MOUNf DIABLO's Efforts

By Seth Adams, Program Director

When Save Mount Diablo was formed in 1971 the State Park included only about 7,500 acres-primarily the mountain's summit and the area stretching down Southgate Road to Rock City. Working with state, regional and local interests, our efforts have resulted in many miles of expansion, new trailheads and additional park entrances, even as development began rising up the mountain's slopes. Today, Park visitors enjoy a state park of almost 19,000 acres combined with almost 12,000 acres of surrounding regional and city open space. These various kinds of open space are much more valuable together than as individual

parks-in this case 1+ 1 is much greater than 2-because wildlife which could not survive in each park individually might well survive in the much larger combined expanses of parkland adjacent to each other or connected by wildlife corridors.

What is a wildlife corridor? We all know how pleasant it is to walk along a stream on a hot day or to follow a shaded canyon up to a ridge. These are examples of wildlife corridors; they generally connect the areas in which the animal lives with water, foraging areas and dens or nests, and often include dense vegetation which serves as cover from predators. Each species has differing needs and their corridors can be threatened by many - continued on page 2

Late Breaking News Flash!!!

After hearing rumors for some time, we were shocked to finally see some of the rumors in print last week. The State is considering transferring several redwood state parks to the federal government, and is considering closing up to fifty others. Mount Diablo State Park, Mount Tamalpais, Angel Island and Tomales Bay State Parks were all mentioned as logical candidates for closure in a November 11th San Francisco Chronicle news story.

According to the article, the state has convened a Department of Parks and Recreation Cost Cutting Task Force, which is considering the park closures because of the State's recent budget deficits. The Task Force will be making its budget cut recommendations to the administration this week. If by March the cuts don't produce enough savings, they'll then look at closing some park units.

Although Sacramento will not confirm which parks are on the list, Save Mount Diablo feels it important that supporters of our state Parks, and of Mount Diablo in particular, let the governor and our legislators know of their concern. While it may in the long run make sense to transfer the three north coast redwood state parks to the adjacent Redwood National Park, there is no justification for dosing our state parks, especially the most heavily used ones in urban areas. Mount Diablo State Park, one - continued on page 2

Your donations ensure that deer will always graze on Mount Diablo.

\Vildlife Corridors

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of our human activities. A mountain lion or a coyote will probably avoid a housing development, a falcon or eagle might be killed by windmills or power lines strung across its habitat, a ground squirrel or a salamander might not survive crossing a road, and all of them will be hurt if blocked from food or water sources.

All these animal residents survive on Mount Diablo because of the interlocking web of the State Park, three Regional Parks, two city open spaces, and private ranchlands which fill in the gaps between the parks. But if those private lands are developed, wildlife corridors may disappear, and animal populations may decrease in number or become extinct. If the mountain lions-which may range 50 miles----are cut off from the Ohlone Wilderness and the Diablo range to the south of Livermore, we may lose them. If the peregrines aren't assured enough habitat, Save Mount Diablo's reintroduction of this federally endangered bird will have been in vain. And if the smaller species are cut into more and more isolated populations, genetic isolation may doom them to inbreeding and eventual extinction.

Because of this threat, Save Mount Diablo has worked since its creation not only to preserve large chunks of habitat, but to connect parks and preserve corridors so that animal populations can move from one area to another. We almost always try to preserve streams and canyons, and usually survey wildlife populations and vegetation to protect the most valuable habitat. Coincidentally,

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of the State's first designated parks, receives more than 600,000 visitors annually, not including the many residents who hike, ride or run into the Park at points other than main entrances. Save Mount Diablo will be keeping close track of this issue and will work hard to insure that Mount Diablo State Park is not closed; as

these techniques usually make for good trail connections, too.

On the mountain's north side, for example, State Park purchases connect with Diablo Foothills Regional Park and Walnut Creek's Shell Ridge Open Space to preserve most of the upper Pine Canyon watershed as well as Castle Rock and Shell Ridge. Pine Creek is an obvious corridor for wildlife and the public can begin hikes or horse trips as long as 30 miles across all three parks. By contrast Lime Ridge Open Space is preserved along another corridor from downtown Concord to Diablo's summit, separating Walnut Creek from Concord. Parkland dedications negotiated by Save Mount Diablo from recent development projects in these two cities have expanded the width of the preserve and extended its boundaries closer to the State Park, but since the two parks aren't actually connected, the corridor remains threatened.

One of Save Mount Diablo's most important campaigns has been to connect the state park with Morgan Territory Regional Park to the east. Just five years ago the two parks were separated by over four miles of private land. Save Mount Diablo, working with the two park agencies, finally joined the two parks in 1989 with the acquisition of the 631-acre Morgan ranch. But the connection was in name only, the comer of one park joining with the comer of the other near a ridge. A ten-acre piece acquired last year by the East ay Regional Park District widened the comer and allowed a trail to cross along the ridge. Wildlife, of course, ignores private property lines and trespasses from one park to the other;

always, your financial support is essential to our work.

Please write:

Governor Pete Wilson, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

Assemblyman Bill Baker, Room 3013, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95914

Senator Dan Boatwright, Room 3086, State Capitol, Sacramento, CA 95814

acquisitions currently being pursued should widen public ownership to more than a mile (see Riggs Canyon Parcel To Be Purchased article).

Work by Save Mount Diablo on development projects near Clayton may one day repeat this feat to the north, across a three mile gap from the State Park to Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, but the obstacles are many. A trail easement connects the two par-ks through downtown Gayton, but wildlife is unlikely to follow that developed route. Save Mount Diablo's very first land acquisition, for example, the Morgan Territory Investment parcel, at the corner of Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory roads, is now directly across Marsh Creek Road from two proposed subdivisions, and development of Keller Ranch has increased speculation in the area. If wildlife is to survive in the area, it will take the cooperation and support of local cities, the county, park agencies and Save Mount Diablo's many supporters.

Crystyl Ranch ... The Second Time Around

The Concord City Council is expected to hold hearings on the Crystyl Ranch project in early December. The new plan with its 454 houses and open space is a considerable improvement over prior plans. Problems remain and there are many unanswered questions. Location of public and private open space, lot configuration and grading plans around the Galindo Creek corridor will not be finalized before the Council votes.

The Concord Planning Commission and the City Staff have recommended conditions of approval that will help ensure that "what we see is what we get". The City Council, however, will have the final word. Crystyl Ranch is heading in the right direction but it's not out of the woods yet. For current information contact Pat Moran at 947-1951.

20th Anniversary Set for December

In December, Save Mount Diablo will hold two events celebrating two decades of work to preserve Mount Diablo--a noon picnic at Live Oak Campground on Dec. 7th preceded by several hikes, and a 6:30 pm catered reception in Walnut Creek on December 16th, with keynote address by several of our most important supporters and a 20-year retrospective of our work by award-winning photographer Bob Walker. Senator Dan Boatwright will comment on his work with us, and Doug Wheeler, Secretary of Resources, has been invited.

When Save Mount Diablo was formed on December 7, 1971, only 7,000 acres of Mount Diablo were protected. The State Park included the main peak and the area stretching down to Rock City. The three regional parks around Mount Diablo had not yet been created, nor had Walnut Creek's Open Space system. BART had not yet reached Contra Costa, Walnut Creek had not yet

boomed, and Blackhawk was still just a cattle ranch.

Twenty years later, things have changed. Development pressure and land prices have skyrocketed.

Yet Save Mount Diablo and all its donors are part of a great success.

Through our work, the State Park alone has tripled in size. One of the city open spaces-Shell Ridge-and two of the regional parks-Diablo Foothills and Morgan Territory-were not only created but have been linked with the State Park in a continuous 30 mile stretch of open space. A 30 mile wildlife corridor that supports coyotes and bobcats, eagles and mountain lions, hikers and equestrians.

In the last three years, Save Mount Diablo's donor list has quadrupled to 4,000. Through our work supporting the 1988 Prop. 70 Parks and Wildlife State Bond Act and the 1988 AA Regional Park Bond Act we've made millions of dollars available for land purchase on Mount Diablo. We purchased the 631-acre Morgan Ranch,

SA VE MOUNT DIAB LO' S "Add A Mile To Mount Diablo" campaign in 1984 was successful in preserving the 36Q-acre Soto Ranch above Walnut Creek and the N~rthg~te entrance to the P~rk. Surrounded on three sides uy the private 2000-acre Ginochw Ranc_h, ~he parcel includ~ Soto and Peach Tree Springs, part of White Canyon, amd ts linked to Black Point and the Mitchell Canyon entrance of the Park by the Red Road.

and helped expand Morgan Territory Regional Park into Riggs Canyon, doubling its size to 4100 acres. In August, at our urging, the Park District voted to acquire the 560 acre Musco ranch, establishing a southern access to Mount Diablo and filling in a hole surrounded on three sides by public open space. Meanwhile the State acquired spectacular Oyster Point. Save Mount Diablo has protected more than 1,000 acres through the development process-expanding Lime Ridge Open Space, preserving Devil's Slide and rugged Sycamore Canyon, and stretching trail easements along Marsh Creek, for example. In 1989 we reintroduced the first endangered peregrine falcons to historic nesting sites on Mount Diablo; this year the first pair came back to nest.

We've got plenty to celebrate, and none of it could have happened without your support. Please come and learn more about Save Mount Diablo and Mount Diablo, and help us make merry! You should receive an invitation to the events, including all the details and an RSVP card in the next couple of days (if not already), so please let us know whether you can attend; unfortunately attendance must be limited. Much of the expense of the events has been donated, but there is a $15 fee per person for the December 16th reception. Because of the chance of rain on December 7th, please bring your own blanket and lunch to the picnic; Save Mount Diablo will provide beverages and dessert. Additional donations and net proceeds of the events will benefit appraisal and biological survey costs of our newest proposed acquisition, which we may be able to tell you more about at the events.

A Message from the President

On December 7th, Save Mount Diablo turns 20, a feat very few nonprofits can match. During these 20 years, the State Park has grown from 7,500 acres to nearly 19,000. The State Park and the other surrounding open spaces-Morgan Territory, Diablo Foothills and Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserves, and Shell Ridge and Lime Ridge City Open Spacesprovide an incomparable recreational resource and ecological habitat.

Our mailing list, which started this year at less than 3,000 donors has now grown to almost 4,000 and is just a small measure of the community's support for preserving Mount Diablo. The Board of Directors and I want to thank you all, new donors and those who've been with us from the very start, for making the preservation of the mountain possible. You've told us in your letters how much this mountain means to you. Your support in our actions with various agencies, and your donations have made our work possible. Twenty years of accomplishment belongs to you.

We have the good news of the coming addition of the 560 acre Musco Ranch (also known as the MAM property) in beautiful Riggs Canyon on Diablo's southeast side. This property, handsome in itself, will also provide an excellent low elevation entry to Morgan Territory Regional Park and to the State Park from Finley Road. Moreover, the addition of the Musco Ranch caps a four year campaign to preserve the wildlife and trail corridor between the two parks and more than three years work on this parcel alone, by stretching a several acre wide connection to one of more than a mile.

While Save Mount Diablo continues to work to widen the Morgan Territory corridor, we're also looking at possible acquisitions for another corridor, and expect to have habitat evaluations and appraisals completed in the near future. If all goes well, this will be the largest project in our history. We look forward to telling you about it.

For twenty years, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO has worked to preserve your mountain.

We enjoyed good financial health in 1990, in part because many of our administrative tasks are borne by a committed volunteer Board of Directors. In 1991 contributions have dropped, undoubtedly because of the recession, but two large contributions-one of property and the other, sadly, from the estate of Dan and Barbara Reid-will help support our work.

We don't have to tell you that the end of 1991 is just around the corner, and with the holidays comes the deadline for tax deductible charitable donations. We hope that Mount Diablo will be high on your list. Please give a gift to the mountain through Save Mount Diablo. You make preservation happen.

-Susan Watson

Pacini Sent Back to the ;it_ ;it_ ;i( Drawing Board Tl Tl

In our last newsletter we reported that the 45-unit 95-acre Pacini project was taken to court by its neighbors after the County Board of Supervisors refused to require environmental analysis, and despite an out-of-date General Plan. On September 17, Superior Court Judge William O'Malley ruled in the neighbors' favor and overturned the county's approval. Mr. Pacini now has the option of beginning the approval process from the beginning.

The project, also known as "Mountain Meadows-Phase II", is located southeast of the junction of Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek

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roads and would be more dense than other development in the area. It threatens Marsh Creek and a prominent oak-<:overed knoll east of Morgan Territory road. The project was first approved in 1977 and revised in 1981. Construction never started and the tentative map for the project was renewed several times and then expired in 1987. Despite no opportunity for additional renewals, Pacini applied for renewal again; the County reapproved the project without new environmental analysis, despite Save Mount Diablo's objections. Save Mount Diablo raised funds to support the neighbors' suit.

from February 23-September 8, 19')1 the Vacaville Museum presented an nblbll enlllled

Willis Jepson, A Personal Landscape

Willis Linn Jepson (1867-1946) was born near Vacaville, California and spent much of his youth exploring the countryside surrounding the family ranch, Little Oak.

Developing an interset in botany at an early age, a teacher introduced him to the use of local flora. After graduating from Vacaville schools in 1883, Jepson entered the University of California at Berkeley for what was to become a lifetime association. He was granted the University's first Ph.D. in botany in 1898. His teaching career at the University spanned over 40 years. Jepson dedicated his life to interpreting the flora of California. His most ambitious project, "A Flora of California", was begun in 1907 and portions of the manual were published at intervals through 1943. A new manual is due to be published as ''The Jepson Manual: Vascular Plants of California" at the end of 1992.

In addition to his outstanding career as a botanist, Jepson was an active conservationist. He was a charter member of the Sierra Club and helped found the Save-theRedwoods League.

A birthday celebration for Jepson was held at the museum on August 19th. Those attending enjoyed the exhibit portraying Jepson's life. The program for the day included Mayor Fleming's remarks onJepson's life and Professor Ledyard Stebbins' reminiscence of Jepson. Mount Diablo botanist Mary Leo Bowerman told of her experiences as a student of Jepson. She did her senior project in botany on Mount Diablo. This project continued as work for a Master's degree and a Ph.D under the direction of Dr. Jepson. We have all benefited from her comprehensive study of our "Island Mountain."

The jacket on Dr. Bowerman' s

Dan and Barbara Reid Killed In Climbing Accident

The Board of Directors was extremely saddened to hear of the deaths of Diablo residents Dan and Barbara Reid who were caught in an avalanche on September 10th, while climbing Africa's Mount Kenya. Both were experienced climbers; Dan was part of the first American ascent of the east face of Mount Everest in 1983 and Barbara served as a member of that expedition's support team.

Dan and Barbara had been supporters of Save Mount Diablo since 1983, soon after they moved to Diablo, and lived just a few hundred yards from the State Park entrance. A dynamic couple very involved in community affairs, Dan was a heart surgeon at Mt. Diablo Medical Center and Barbara, trained as a nurse, was active in Search and Rescue, the local Chamber of Commerce and the Diablo Property Owners Association. Together they spearheaded opposition to the development of the Athenian School property, although they were

very dearly more concerned about the effects on Mount Diablo than on themselves. Dan once testified before the Board of Supervisors, 1'd like to see more traffic past my house into the State Park, because the more people who visit the park, the more who'll want to expand and preserve the mountain.' Barbara mentioned her excitement about their upcoming climbing trip while testifying before the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District in support of the condemnation of the Musco Ranch, and said, 'We plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to finally see whether it does have a wider view than Mount Diablo' s'.

The Reid's estate will be divided primarily among environmental and other charitable groups, including Save Mount Diablo. Save Mount Diablo' s Board is considering creating the 'Dan and Barbara Reid Memorial Fund' to support long-term preservation of Mount Diablo.

book, "The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mount Diablo, California", quotes Dr.Jepson:

"As a lad Diablo was my mountain, in full view from school yard, valley field or hill top, lying bulky on the southern horizon--always remote, alluring, mysterious. In after years came many days of field work on its trails and ridges, and scientists from all parts of the world were taken to share the botanical delights of its open woodlands and rocky canons. For all such, in renewing old pleasures and memories and field experiences, Dr. Bowerman's book will ever be a satisfying and enjoyable volume. And for those who may never see California it is still a worth while treatise. No other book gives so complete, so thorough, so vivid a picture of the botany of a western mountain as this. For any botanist who cares for the open, it is an admirable book: a book to ponder: a book always to have and to hold."

(Editor's note: Although Dr. Bowerman ' s book is now out of print, it is available in the special collections section of the Central Library in Pleasant H11l. A copied and bound form is also available for $12.95 plus mailing cost from the Jepson Herbarium at U.C. Berkeley, 6701 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland, CA 94608. (510) 643-7008

Bob Watson

Passes Away

The Board of Directors was saddened to learn last month of the death of Bob Watson, husband of Susan Watson, Save Mount Diablo's president. Bob served on the Board of Directors of the Lindsay Museum and, like Sue, was a dedicated conservationist and birder. The Watsons were both in Pennsylvania at a reunion when he died. Save Mount Diablo expresses its deepest condolences to Sue.

Notes to Sue can be sent to P.O. Box 25, Concord, CA 94522. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Lindsay Museum, 1901 First Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA 94596 or to the Lassen Volcanic National Park Foundation, P.O. Box 8, Mineral, CA 96063-0008.

Boatwright Bill Vetoed, New Funds Being Developed

Save Mount Diablo is currently considering its largest acquisition ever. Last summer, when the Planning and Conservation League (PCL) began preparing a new park bond very similar to Prop. 70, we were quick to join the effort. That initiative was postponed after Governor Wilson agreed to support a State Park Bond next June. Although Save Mount Diablo hopes to have funding for Mount Diablo included in that bond, we were left with much of our remaining state funding committed to other projects around the mountain. Enter Senator Dan Boatwright.

Senator Boatwright has long been a supporter of Save Mount Diablo's efforts to preserve Mount Diablo, and is a master of the legislative process. During his 1988 campaign, one of his campaign signs truthfully read, "Dan Boatwright added 10,000 acres to Mount Diablo State Park". Aware of our latest project, Senator Boatwright found unallocated funds in the state budget and was successful in amending Senate Bill 402 to direct the funds at several park projects.

According to Boatwright, ''I placed funds in SB402 for Mt. Diablo park expansion. Unfortunately the bill was

Senator Dan Boatwright vetoed in its entirety notwithstanding support from the State Parks and Recreation Department for some of its individual projects, including Mount Diablo and the Vasco Caves. I intend to see those projects funded next year, either through the Governor's budget or through specific legislation if that's required."

We'll keep you informed about new legislative efforts and park bonds, even as we raise funds locally. Thanks to Senator Boatwright and Assemblyman Baker for their support ofSB402.

Save Mount Diablo's Newest Board Members

In our last newsletter we neglected to make note of the addition of two members to the Board of Directors. The Board voted to amend Save Mount Diablo's bylaws to allow a maximum of fifteen members of the Board, and elected Judd Mygatt and Eric Hinzel as the Board's newest members. Both are members of the group's Fundraising Committee. With their election, there are now twelve Directors.

Mygatt was also elected Chief Financial Officer, based in part on his longtime involvement with Save Mount Diablo, and his varied financial and computer skills. A real estate investor, he lives in Blackhawk at the base of the mountain with his wife

Virginia. He first became active in Save Mount Diablo nearly three years ago, during the planning process for the Blackhills development project near his home. 260 of that parcel's 300 acres will be protected as open space. Hinzel first became aware of Save Mount Diablo during the 1988 campaign to protect the Morgan Ranch and to connect Morgan Territory Regional Park with Mount Diablo State Park. He is project manager for Radian Corp. in Walnut Creek, with responsibility for solid and hazardous waste management programs as well as air quality and environmental engineering programs. He lives in Clayton with his wife, Debbie, and their two daughters Diane and Amy.

Save Mount Diablo Hikes

Saturday, December 7:

Upper Pine Canyon-Meet at Live Oak Campground (Rock City) on Southgate Road for a hike past Wall Point then down into upper Pine Canyon and back to Rock City for a picnic. Meet at Rock City on Southgate Road ($5 entrance fee) at 9:00 am-be back for lunch. Heavy rain cancels. For more info, call leader David Sanger at (510) 526-4465 or work 905-3025.

Saturday, December 21: Winter Solsti.ce-Ponds Loop-On the shortest day of the year, take a vigorous hike from Curry Point to Diablo's summit via several ponds. The route will generally follow Curry Canyon to Frog Pond Road, to Alder Creek and Green Ranch Road, to the summit then back down the summit trail. Meet at Curry Point ($5 entrance fee) on Southgate Road at 9:00 am. Bring liquids and good shoes, heavy rain cancels. For more info, call hike leader David Sanger at (510) 526-4465 or work 905-3025.

EXCERPTS OF ACCOLADES

"Donation in memory of Florence Kuhl, who loved looking at the mountain from her deck at Rossmoor Put it toward buying a tiny piece of your next purchase."

-Florence's daughters

"Dear SAVE MOUNT DIABLOEnclosed find my $50 contribution. As you can see from this card, I am a Mount Diablo user. I fell in love with the park four years ago after Sunset Magazine told me of the Spring bloom in Mitchell Canyon. Already this year, I've hiked the mountain 7 times, either with friends or alone with my camera. It truly is a treasure. Keep up the good work and let me know how I can help further."

-Jim Hendon, Emeryville

Riggs Canyon Parcel To Be Purchased

On August 20th, the Board of Directors of the East Bay Regional Park District voted unanimously to condemn the 560 acre Musco Ranch, also known as the MAM property. The vote capped five years of work by Save Mount Diablo to preserve the property, which is immediately south of the Morgan Ranch purchased by the group in 1989. The spectacular property will widen the connection between the State Park and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve from a few acres to more than a mile and also provide easy, low elevation access to both parks. A new entrance will be especially useful for equestrians, since both Southgate and Morgan Territory Roads are difficult to traverse with horse trailers.

The parcel, at the end of Finley Road and east of Blackhawk, first came to Save Mount Diablo's attention in 1982, when a subdivision was proposed there. Luckily, the remoteness of the property and county development conditions convinced the applicant to withdraw the proposal. By mid-1985 it was apparent that the rapidly growing population in the San Ramon and Livermore valleys needed appropriate access to the State park. Save Mount Diablo began investigating Riggs Canyon acquisitions while simultaneously urging both the State and the Regional Park

District to expand each of their parks.

We first toured the Musco Ranch in 1988. Unfortunately, despite the Save Mount Diablo's and the State's public interest in the parcel, MAM partners (three neighbors) purchased the 560 acres. The EBRPD action comes after several years of negotiations by both the State and the Park District with the owners, and evidences the intent of the District to condemn the property for a court evaluated fair market price unless a settlement can be reached. We'll let you know how it all turns out.

Farewell ... and Welcome

Best wishes to Dick Felty on his retirement from the California State Department of Parks and Recreation. Dick has served as Regional Director of the Central Coast Region which includes Mount Diablo State Park. We will miss Dick and his interest in protecting the natural resources of Mount Diablo.

We welcome William J. Monaghan, the new Regional Director. His most recent position has been as Regional Director of the Inland Region. We look forward to working together to preserve our mountain and know he will grow to love it as do we.

SAVE MOUNT DIABLO's Christmas Wish List

Beyond a safe and happy holidays, and your continuing support, Save Mount Diablo is looking for several specific items this holiday season. If you have, or know anyone who has these items, used or otherwise, please call Program Director Seth Adams, at (510) 229-4275. All contributions (except volunteers) are tax deductible.

- a FAX machine in good working order.

- a Macintosh SE computer (or higher grade Mac), in good working order.

- a sturdy two- or four-drawer file cabinet.

- volunteers interested in monitoring single, specific development projects as they make their way through the planning process.

- volunteers willing to serve on Save Mount Diablo's fundraising committee (see below)

FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE NEEDS MEMBERS

In preparation for what may be the organiution's largest campaign ever, a fundraising committee has been formed to oversee Save Mount Diablo's fundraising efforts. The committee will be chaired by director Eric Hinzel and by Judd Mygatt, SMD's Chief Financial Officer, and is seeking new members with an interest in fundraising activities and events.

The Fundraising Committee will oversee the budgets and strategies of Save Mount Diablo's newsletter and direct mail efforts, grants and special events. The Committee is looking for members with financial backgrounds, political and fundraising contacts, event organizing experience, etc., and will meet every other month beginning January 8, 1992 at 7:00 pm. For more information, call program director Seth Adams at (510) 229-4275.

The East Bay Regional Park District voted in August to acquire the 560-acre Musco ranch, surrounded on three sides by the State Park and Morgan Territory Regional Preserve

Save Mount Diablo is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which has been preserving land on Mount Diablo and educating the public to the mountain's natural values since 1971. Preserved lands have more than tripled in that period. Save Mount Diablo continues to raise funds to preserve the remainder of the mountain.

that oak trees will always grow on Mount Diablo.