Save Mount Diablo
Protecting the Mountain Since 1971
Chaparral Spring Blossoms SMD's 333-ACRE ACQUISITION CAMPAIGN CONTINUES In August, Save Mount Diab lo purchased the spectacular 333-acre parcel north of Marsh Creek Road and immediately across from Mt. Diablo State Park known as Chaparral Spring. At that time, the land was brown from years of drought and over grazing. Riparian corridors and ponds were in a degraded condition. It was difficult to tell what plant life might be present though dormant. With the help of the abundant winter rains and cooperation from our grazing tenant, who has reduced the numberof cattle on the parcel by two-thirds, we can now fully appreciate the special beauty of Chaparral Spring. The once bare and exposed slopes are as green as Ireland, covered in lush, beautiful grasslands and Miner's lettuce. Heavy rains have filled ponds and at least two streams are running. Colorful mushrooms and other fungi are as plentiful as wildflowers, and huge numbers ofbrodeia and buttercup sprouts are promising to extend that color well into spring. Stream side vegetation is leafing out andthousandsofbuckeye nuts have sprouted and are already sending up leafy seedlings to help restore the riparian corridors. Plans are proceeding to fence pond drainages to allow reintroduction of three rare animal species. The fundraising campaign is also proceeding well. SMD secured the land with a $10,000 option from a Revolving Option Fund established with a grant from the J.M. Long Foundation. This enabled us to hold the property until full funding was developed. SMD secured loans totaling $150,000 from two local banks who support our work, and depleted our Land Fund, to reach the full purchase price of $625,000. We need to raise $160,000 to pay the two loans and to replenish the Option Fund, and a total of $625,000 in order to transfer this acquisition to a public agency. To date, Save Mount Diab lo has raised more than $95,000 to help pay off the loans, which come due in August 1995, including grants from the J.M. Long and the B.T. Rocca continued on page 5
Spring 1995, No.16
New Grants to Save Mt. Diablo Save Mount Diablo extends its gratitude to the J.M. Long Foundation and the B.T. Rocca Foundation for their recent grant awards. Thegrants-$50,000 from the Long Foundation and $11,600 from the Rocca Foundation - will go toward the recent acquisition of Chaparral Spring. The J.M. Long Foundation previously awarded $20,000 to Save Mount Diablo for the creation of the Revolving Land Acquisition Option Fund. The Fund allowed SMD to option the Chaparral Spring parcel for $10,000. The Rocca Foundation has also supported Save Mount Diablo in the past. SMD president, Susan Watson, says "We are especially grateful to the J.M. Long Foundation and Rocca Foundation for their generous support early in our fundraising campaign for Chaparral Spring. These two grants are an important first step toward achieving our goal of permanent protection of this beautiful property."
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