Spring 2011 Horizons, Muir Heritage Land Trust Newsletter
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Transcript of Spring 2011 Horizons, Muir Heritage Land Trust Newsletter
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8/3/2019 Spring 2011 Horizons, Muir Heritage Land Trust Newsletter
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S p r i n g 2 0 1 1
M u i r He r i t a g e La n d t r u s t
As the ant said to the grasshopper
in the ancient fable, its best toprepare for whats ahead. The
Muir Heritage Land Trusts mission to
preserve land for future generations
fits in with that goal. But it is only
part of it.
Once our wild lands are protected,
we must ensure they always remain
healthy, beautiful habitat with well-
maintained recreational facilities for
everyone to enjoy. Those goals are
a significant part of the Land Trusts
commitment when it comes toprotecting 23 acres of scenic open
space in Acalanes Ridge.
The great news is that our partners
the City of Lafayette, the City of
Walnut Creek and the East Bay
Regional Park Districtall made
significant contributions that allowed
the recent purchase of the land. While
the Land Trust holds fee title, our
partners hold a conservation easement
on the property. Yet this is just the
first big hurdle on the path to success.
To fulfill our commitment to ourpartners, we must raise $400,000 to
cover project costs associated with the
acquisition, stewardship, administration,
planning, and long-range management.
As the Land Trust continues to
raise funds to complete the project, we
are working closely with our project
partners to open the land to the public.
We are developing plans for trails and
have scheduled a volunteer trail-building
weekend from May 20th through the
22nd. In addition, we have scheduled adedication on Saturday, June 4th, which
will open the property for all to explore.
The grasshopper played while
the ant worked to ensure the future.
Weve been working hard to secure this
Acalanes Ridge land, with its stunning
views and scenic prominence. But come
May and June, well be playing a little,
too (see our Calendar of Events on page
4). Have some fun with us digging in
the dirt, or sauntering on the land.
tHe Futureon acaLanes ridge
Message fromthe ExecutiveDirector
Celebrate SuCCeSS!
Muir Heritage Land
Trust plays a leading role
land conservation endeav
that benefit our entire
community. Realizationof that work would not
be possible without the
support of individuals lik
you. Thank you.
This spring, come
celebrate our success
together by participating
one or more unforgettab
Land Trust activities.
Opportunities abound
and theres something for
everyone. Take a vigorouhike or a gentle walk in
the woods. Bring your
bike or ride a horse.
Enjoy beautiful music,
a meaningful dedication
ceremony and a glamorou
gala. Or why not conside
volunteering for our
upcoming trail building
event on Acalanes Ridge?
Youll find more
information about theseand other activities on ou
website calendar or inside
this issue of Horizons.
All are welcome. I
hope to see you there!
Linus EukelExecutive Director
AcalanesRidgePhotos:RichardGylgayton
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M u i r Her i tage
La n d tr u s t
P.O. Box 2452
Martinez, CA 94553
925-228-5460 925-372-5460fax
www.muirheritagelandtrust.org
Staff
Linus Eukel
Executive Director
Johna Winters
Administrative Manager
Glen Lewis
Open Space Ranger
Gunther Korshak
Membership & Development Coordinator
board
of direCtorS
Steve Hutchcraft
Chair
Denis Huston
Vice Chair
Paul Craig
Secretary
Louis E. Stoddard
Treasurer
Bob Aston
Ann Cormack
Beth Mallonee
Mark Wilson
editor
Linus Eukel
newSletterContributorS
Sherida Bush
Linus Eukel
Johna Winters
Gunther Korshak
FrankLin canyon: PLans are aFoot
The thrill of victory has not
subsided. After the Muir
Heritage Land Trust succeeded in
purchasing 483 acres in Franklin Canyon
last June, our eager supporters started
asking when the land would be open to
the public.After two decades of waiting to see
this property protected and accessible, its
difficult to wait even longer. Yet wait we
mustjust a bit more.
Magnificent Franklin Canyon
is replete with resources, including
significant watershed, important
riparian areas, dense bay-oak forests and
abundant wildlife. Along with our
adjacent Fernandez Ranch, the
land provides 1,185 acres of
contiguous wildlife habitat.Scattered patches of freshwater
marsh and seeps occur
throughout the property,
which provide an important
source of surface water for
aquatic and terrestrial species,
especially during the dry summer.
Special-status species seen on the
property include the Diablo sunflower,
California red-legged frog, Alameda
whipsnake
and
Coopers
hawk.
Among
the special
status specieslikely to be found on the land are the
Western pond turtle, white-tailed kite
and northern harrier. We plan to do an
updated biological assessment to provide
information about the animals and
vegetation on the property so we can
better protect all of the native wildlife,
trees and plants.
In addition to a biological assessment,
our action list includes coordinating trail
linkages with other organizations, (such as
a possible link with the 550-mile Bay AreaRidge Trail), designing and building trails,
creating interpretive signage and other
needed improvements.
The considerable work involved in
preparing Franklin Canyon for public
access will take the Land Trusts Board,
volunteers and small staff some time.
Our goal is to open the property to the
public in 2012, and we all look forward
to celebrating that day with you.
Frank
linCanyonPhotos:SteveHutchcraft
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a new cHaPterFortHe BodFisH ProPerty
While Margaret Bodfishs wish
to preserve her seven-acre
property as a public park
seemed straightforward enough, fulfilling
that goal was anything but simple.
Before her death in 1999, Bodfish
had stated in a trust that she wanted topreserve the land which also included a
house. She left both to an organization
that did not want to accept long-
term responsibility for the
property. Trying to find an
alternative, the Canyon
Ranch Homeowners
Association, the Orinda
Highlands Homeowners
Association and the Orinda
Parks and Recreation
Foundation all worked
together to protect the oak-
covered property, but had found
no permanent solution by the time a
deadline approached.
The Bodfish trust specified that the
property had to become a park in four
years or be transferred to UC Santa
Cruz. Had that happened, the land most
likely would have been sold at auction
to a developer for subdivision. In July of
2003, the land was just days from being
transferred when the Muir Heritage Land
Trust took ownership of the propertyto preserve it as public open space and a
wildlife sanctuary, according to the wishes
of Bodfish and many in the surrounding
community.
The project was a favorable
acquisition for both the community and
the Land Trust. Over the years, however,
rental management and maintenance of
the run-down residence had become afinancial burden.
In order to more effectively preserve
the nearly six acres of open space
surrounding the house, the
Land Trust recently sold the
property to a private party,
according to provisions in
our initial agreement, and
permanently protected the
property with a well-crafted
conservation easement
including stipulations for
public access to all previously
established social trails.
As in the case of the Bodfish
property, a local land trust can be a
resource for protecting land that no
other agency has the will or the means
to acquire and manage. For four years,
local organizations tried to find a way
to preserve the Bodfish land. No other
organization would take on the project
before the Land Trusts 11th-hour
intervention, which has now permanently
achieved the goal of protecting theproperty as publicly accessible open space.
The Muir Heritage Land Trust is grateful for the service and contributions of our
Board of Directors and staff and extends its sincere gratitude to the following
departing members.
Ken Fischer-Ken Fischer served on the MHLT Board of Directors for more than eight
years. During his tenure he served as Chair of the Board and also served on our Finance
Committee for many years. We thank Ken for his significant contributions to the LandTrust which has benefitted from his leadership.
DonnWalKlet- Donn Walklet most recently served as Board Chair. Throughout hisseven years of service on the MHLT Board of Directors, Donn provided key support and
leadership for our organization in focused and knowledgeable ways. Were very grateful
for his gifts of energy and ideas towards land conservation throughout our region.
ellenVisser- Outreach Coordinator Ellen Visser was a member of the Muir Her itage
Land Trust staff for more than three years, where her hard work and professionalism
were sincerely appreciated. Ellen designed our logo, so we will have an ever-present
reminder of her beautiful talent and important contributions to the Land Trust.
FareweLLs
Welcome
Gunther Korshak
The Muir Heritage Land
Trust is pleased to announce the
addition of Gunther Korshak as t
new Membership & Development
Coordinator. Working closely with
Executive Director, Board and staf
Gunther will support the manage
and growth of contributed incom
oversee membership and donor
relations and help secure funding
goals of the Muir Heritage Land T
Gunther brings five years of
development experience and ten
of nonprofit sector experience to
organization. He joins Muir Herita
Land Trust after working with Pes
Action Network in San Francisco
the Continental Divide Trail Allian
in Colorado.
A native of the state of Verm
Gunther grew up on an agricultufarm cultivating ginseng roots for
export nationally and internation
His rural upbringing and embrace
of four seasons fueled his attract
to the natural environment,
ultimately leading to a Bachelor o
Science degree in Natural Resour
Management from the University
of Vermont Rubenstein School of
Environment & Natural Resources
2000. In 2005 he received a Mas
of Nonprofit Management gradua
degree from Regis University inDenver, CO. In his spare time Gun
enjoys a variety of hobbies includ
gardening and landscaping, hikin
backpacking, playing an occasion
over 30-soccer game, and spendi
time with his family. Gunther cur
lives in El Cerrito with his wife Ev
Orinda native) and their son Gus.
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ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
P.O. Box 2452, Martinez CA 94553
Nonprofit
U.S. Postage
PAID
Martinez, CA
Permit No. 18
PRINTED
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RECYCLED
PAPER
acaLanes ridge Music ceLeBration
Saturday, May 1 | 3:00 p.m. | Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
A special concert featuring extraordinary singers and instrumentalists from the San Francisco Opera along with the Acalanes High School Chamb
Singers, all to benefit the Acalanes Ridge Acquisition Project. Suggested contribution of $25 at the door. Visit www.muirheritagelandtrust.org or
the Land Trust at 925-228-5460 for more information.
acaLanes ridge traiLBuiLding weekend
Friday, May 20 through Sunday, May 22
Find out how rewarding building a trail can be! We will hold a three-day event to build trails on Acalanes Ridge, with the help ofVolunt
for Outdoor California (V-O-Cal). Sign up for just one day, or bring your camping gear and spend some fun time camping Friday and Satur
nights with fellow volunteers. We bring the tools, you bring the person-power. Breakfast and lunch provided, and a delicious dinner awaits th
who camp overnight. Registration with V-O-Cal is required: register at www.v-o-cal.org or call (650) 298-9774.
acaLanes ridge dedication
Saturday, June 4 | 10:00 a.m.
Join us for the dedication of our newest property. Wear your hiking shoes and plan to explore the new trails.
More details to comefor information, call (925) 228-5460 or see our website: www.muirheritagelandtrust.org.
FresH aire aFFaire gaLa
Saturday, August 13 | 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. | John Muir National Historic Site
Look for your invitation in the mail this summer!
Our much-anticipated annual gala will again be an elegant evening under the stars in the pear orchards of John Muirs Victorian estate.
We will all look forward to very special guests, celebratory wines, a delicious dinner, and lively auctions.
Dont miss any of these great MHLT eventspost this calendar!
Visit our website for more details at: www.muirheritagelandtrust.org.
Muir Heritage land truSt - Calendarof eventS