A u t u m n / W i n t e r 2 0 0 9

M u i r H e r i t a g e L a n d t r u s t

By Sherida Bush

The rumble of heavy machinery filled the air, supplanting the faraway cries of a red shouldered

hawk circling nearby. For two months, tranquil, pastoral Fernandez Ranch was a construction zone, with huge machines lumbering like noisy dinosaurs over the landscape.

The mechanical beasts were there to fulfill a years-long objective.

After purchasing the 702-acre property in 2005, the Land Trust undertook the development of plans for site assessment, restoration, public access, education and management. The land has been explored, pored over and pondered by expert upon expert—engineers, landscape architects, surveyors, biologists, general contractors, hydrologists, geologists, and experts in irrigation and creek restoration. Years of

design, decision and modifications went into the plans, so painstakingly pieced together.

The greatest challenge was what to do with a creek that had undergone large-scale changes for unknown reasons. Dramatic erosion had cut a deep channel, stripped banks of vegetation and toppled trees. After much study, planners concluded that changes to Rodeo Creek on a property upstream had changed its hydrology, disrupting creek ecology. Not only did the banks need stabilizing, a bridge was needed to span the widening chasm to provide access for the public and for safety vehicles.

Plans for the property included a multi-part approach to: stabilize and enhance the most badly eroded riparian areas, provide a bridge across the creek chasm, create trails and provide a new staging area. The Land Trust gathered funds

“Fernandez Ranch Fulfilled” continues on page 2

FERNANDEZ RANCH FULFILLED Message from the Executive DirectorVieW from A Bri dge

Dear Land Trust Supporters,

As the 156 foot clear span steel bridge was hoisted into mid-air and finally set across Rodeo Creek, I found myself filled with a profound sense of hope and gratitude. Hope for our local community and its ability to fulfill priority conservation goals and gratitude for all those who helped make the dream of restoration and public access at Fernandez Ranch come true. For twenty years, the Muir Heritage Land Trust has been working to protect our precious local wild lands and provide meaningful relationships for people with nature. When Fernandez Ranch is finally opened to the public in June of 2010, millions of residents from throughout the Bay Area will have the opportunity to enjoy the distinctive beauty of that protected natural area. At the Muir Heritage Land Trust we invest our time, resources, energies and hopes in the dream of preserving Contra Costa’s very special landscapes. Those investments are paying off today and will continue to do so for generations to come. Thank you again for your sincere support. Linus EukelExecutive Director Special thankS

Overaa ConstructionRestoration Design GroupCarone & CompanyHanford ARCBig R BridgeWatershed NurseryBay Area Ridge Trail CouncilVolunteers for Outdoor California Members like You!

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 2

“Fernandez Ranch Fulfilled” continued from page 1

for the $3.04 million project from many sources, including: the River Parkways Program of the Resources Agency; the Coastal Conservancy; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Contra Costa Fish and Wildlife Committee; the Oakmead Foundation; the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council; as well as funds from other private sources and our individual contributors.

All was on track until last December, when the state of California froze all bonds. To ensure the free flow of funds needed for construction, the Land Trust collaborated with others in the government and nonprofit community to secure short-term bond funds. Then, after obtaining the needed permits, the work could start.

But before the construction workers fired up even one of the machines, they had to go to class.

Workers were instructed on how to identify special-status species they might see on the property. They were required to inspect their machinery every morning to make sure a sleepy reptile, such as an Alameda whipsnake, hadn’t curled up on it somewhere during the night.

Construction began on August 19 and went smoothly. The major work was completed by October 15, as required by regulatory agencies in order to protect the creek.

Yet the mega-machines weren’t the first to break ground. Lots of muscle power accomplished the official groundbreaking on June 6. MHLT teamed up with Volunteers for Outdoor California. As a result, more than 150 volunteers took up hand tools to build one mile of trail in

two days. The section of trail they completed lies on some of the property’s steepest, most challenging terrain. In October, contractors finished off the volunteers’ efforts with specialized construction, such as retaining walls and boardwalks. This trail will become part of the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail.

The creek work was a job for the contractors. The contours of the

M u i r H e r i tag e L a n d t ru s t

P.O. Box 2452Martinez, CA 94553

925-228-5460 925-372-5460 faxinfo@muirheritagelandtrust.orgwww.muirheritagelandtrust.org

stAff

Linus Eukel Executive Director

Suzanne Jones Land Specialist

Beth Pardieck Stewardship Manager

Ellen Visser Outreach Coordinator

Johna Winters Administrative Manager

BoArd of directors

Donn Walklet Chair

Ann Cormack Vice Chair

Paul Craig Secretary

Louis E. Stoddard Treasurer

Bob Aston Steve Hutchcraft

Peter Colby Ken Fischer

Denis HustonBeth Mallonee Mark Wilson

editor

Linus Eukel

neWsLetter contriButors

Sherida BushLinus Eukel

Suzanne Jones Beth Pardieck Ellen Visser

Johna Winters

creek banks—impossible to restore to their original configuration—were laid back in three of the steepest areas to minimize erosion and silting downstream. The areas have been hydroseeded with native plants, which will sprout and grow with seasonal rains.

Two years ago, the Land Trust began the process of having native trees and shrubs germinated from seeds collected at Fernandez Ranch. The 9,521 container plants cultivated from those seeds will be planted on creek banks next spring, along with fast-growing willow cuttings. “We’re improving the quality of the riparian habitat, both on the property and downstream,” said Beth Pardick, the Land Trust’s Stewardship Manager. “The work improves the whole watershed.”

The new plants must be irrigated for three years during the dry season. The circa-1910 windmill on the property—now a popular spot for owls to perch—may be repaired to provide one source of water. Another source may be a natural spring. Fences have gone up to keep the cattle’s hooves off of the reconstructed banks and new vegetation.

The staging area is completed, providing two ADA-accessible spaces and parking for nine cars and two horse trailers. Interpretive information will be added in the spring.

From the staging area, visitors will set out on multi-use trails open to hikers, bicycle riders and equestrians. Visitors with limited mobility will enjoy two wheelchair-accessible trails. They connect to steeper trails leading toward hill summits.

Completion of the bridge across Rodeo Creek marked the end of major construction. To allow the creek to flow naturally, the structure’s four supporting pillars were anchored on the creek banks, not in the creek channel. In November, the bridge’s 156-foot span was lowered into place by crane. As though it were a puzzle piece completing a three-dimensional picture, the lowering of the arched bridge was the fulfillment of a long-held vision.

Come spring, when the big machines will have long retreated and the natural sounds again prevail, a new element will be added to the land—people from throughout the greater Bay Area who enjoy open space.

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 3

For nearly two decades, the fate of 483 acres of Franklin Canyon teetered between massive development and preservation. The Muir Heritage Land Trust tipped the balance by signing a purchase agreement to permanently protect this stunning

open space in August of 2008. But 60 of the

long-disputed acres were not in the agreement.

The excluded acres lie in the southwest corner of Franklin Canyon, adjacent

to Hercules, and encompass the flattest

part of the property. The owners, a consortium of

investors, viewed the 60 acres as the easiest to develop, and therefore worth more. They held back the acreage from the initial agreement.

The 60 acres is comprised of open grasslands—great raptor habitat—and includes a hill with a spectacular view. The land lies near the Land Trust’s Fernandez Ranch and is a potential link to the Bay Area Ridge Trail. Tributaries to both

FRANKLIN CANYON — TOGETHER AGAIN

Refugio and Rodeo creeks provide verdant riparian habitat.

“Over time, the owners came to accept that the objective appraised value for the land was a fair price,” said MHLT Executive Director Linus Eukel. In July, the Land Trust signed an amended agreement that added the 60 acres (at an additional cost of $830,000), bringing the total acreage of the acquisition to 483.

The project budget for Franklin Canyon is now more than $3.3 million. In addition to the new purchase price of $2,610,000 the goal includes funds for stewardship, a plan for trails and public access, and operational support.

This beautiful, fragile ecosystem pulses with life as it has for centuries. We ask your help to affirm a wonderful future for this magnificent wild land.

SKY RANCH POND RESTORATION

For 20 years, a rancher-constructed livestock pond has been the only water source on Sky Ranch. Cattle, of course, use the pond, but it’s been a boon to thirsty wild critters as well.

The pond has also been a source of problems. The 200-foot spillway from the pond’s earthen dam has been eroding for years, carrying unwanted sediment into Vaca Creek, a tributary of Alhambra Creek. The erosion also undermined the structural integrity of the dam, and at some point would have caused it to fail.

In October, the Muir Heritage Land

Trust completed construction to both fix the problem and create an opportunity for

habitat enhancement.Workers placed a pipe in

the spillway—linking the pond and an energy-dissipation pool—to handle pond overflow and prevent erosion. The graded area was

then hydroseeded with native plants.

MHLT is also looking at ways to improve the habitat

around the pond. Such habitat enhancement could provide a home for the California red-legged frog (federally listed as threatened) and other native creatures.

Franklin Canyon and Fernandez photos: Steve Hutchcraft

Phot

o: J

erry

Roe

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 4

tHanks to our generous sponsors. our event Was a great success Because of You!

Restoration Design Group

lighting· audio· video· drape

anniversarY partY

Master of Ceremonies Doug McConnell and hundreds of other Land Trust supporters joined together on August 15th to celebrate MHLT’s 20th anniversary at the Mansion and Estate of the John Muir National Historic Site. Guests enjoyed a champagne reception, gourmet extravaganza, exclusive pear brandy, lively music by the Anton Schwartz Jazz Quartet and an exciting live auction.

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MHLT DONORS

AnonymousAnonymousCalifornia State Coastal ConservancyContra Costa Fish and Wildlife CommitteeState of California - The Resources AgencyThe San Francisco Foundation

Mendelson Family FundThe JM Long Foundation US Fish and Wildlife Service

A.D. & Martha Michelbacher Fund Anonymous Tina Batt*BBR LLP Frank and Joanne Bellecci Lloyd and Jane Carone Chevron Products Company Louise Clark Ronald and Rosemary Clendenen ConocoPhilips Marilyn Cooper Ann and Robert Cormack+Kay Cox and Paul Craig+Cox, Castle & Nicholson LLP Joffa and Ellen Dale Edward and Yoshimi Downer Bob Doyle East Bay Regional Park District Linus and Stephanie Eukel Ken and Martha Fischer+Jim and Mary Ann Gaebe Kent and Judy Garvens Hanford ARC Larry Hanson Hanson Aggregates West Region George and Judith Helder David and Susan Hodges Denis and Cathy Huston+ Linda and John Judd Nancy Kittle Chaz and Tonya Lemmon Glen Lewis and Martha Joseph Michael and Elizabeth Mallonee+R. Clark and Amara Morrison Cathy Moyer NECA/IBEW Local 392 Old Republic Title Company Jerry and Kim Overaa Norman & Janet Pease Lawrence E. and Mary Peirano Brad & Trish Piatt Plumbers & Steamfitters Union Local 159 Restoration Design Group William G. Robinson Ed and Dawn Roth Shell Oil Products USA Jeff and Tina Sherwin W. Dirk Sikkema & Linda Young Marty & Wanda Sorenson

Robert Speck and Sloan McDonald Judith Ann Stadler-Lothrop Lou and Marilyn Stoddard+Telfer Oil Company Tesoro Refining & Marketing Co. The Mechanics Bank The Morrison & Foerster Foundation The Strong Foundation Naomi Torres Union Bank of California Foundation Valero Benicia Refinery Donn and Tracy Walklet+Bill Weiner Michael & Juliana Williams Mark and Anne Wilson+

John and Cheryl Abel Mary Ann Abreu Denise Acker Judy Adams Carol Alderdice Burt Anderson Carol Anderson Donald Anderson Carl and Sharon Anduri Anonymous Anonymous*Dimitris and Luz Argyriou Patricia Ashley Robert and Laurie Aston+Nancy Augustine Aaron Autsen Diane Aven Miriam Awenius John Baas Rebecca Babayans Carol Baier Ray Bambha Levi and Katherine Barger Michael Barry Tom Bates and David Baldwin Mona N. and Robert Batt Brita Bautin Charles Beaman Gordon Becker Richard and Linda Beidleman DeRoyce and Linda Bell Kathy Bell Lesley Benn Edward and Mildred Bennett Barbara Benton Gregory and Regina Benz Belinda Berry Bruce and Sandra Beyaert Kim Bhatt Peter Binstock and Diana Procter Sandra Bishop Robert and Marie Blits William and Linda Bodnar Burt Bogardus Polly Boissevain Betty Bones John and Susan Bonilla Art Bonwell Christine Bosnian and Alain Descoins Richard and Mary Bowers Larry Bowman & Li Tsang, M.D. Madaline Boyes Richard and Christine Braunlich Martha Breed Larkin Breed, Jr. Lou Briggs Kurt Brombacher Allynee Brown

BENEFACTORS (More than $25,000)

PATRONS ($10,000 - $24,999)

MAJOR DONORS ($1,000 - $9,000)

Many thanks to our generous donors.July 2008 - June 2009 (partial list)

Dorothy Brown Ron and Sharon Brown Erik Bruce Gwendolyn Buchholz John and Betty Buginas Bob and Mary Burchard Pamela Burns and William Edick Harriet Burt Sherida Bush and Timothy Platt*Gregory Caligari David L. and Susann Calkins Rosemary Cameron Ellen Carlson Andrew Carota Alice Castellanos Phyllis and Harvey Ceaser Karen Chandler Monica Clark Greg Clayton Roy Coats Christine Codding*Colin and Mila Coffey Peter and Susan Colby+Paul Compton and Renee Cheney Jan Rae Cook Michael and Jeffra Cook Michael and Sandra Cook Ralph Cotter, Jr. Anna Couchman Marc and Diane Coventry Don Cuffel Kathy and Stephen Cummings John Curtis Vincent and Mary Custodio Bruce and Janet Dalen Suzanne Darcy Maeve Daugharty Judith Davis Mickey and Joe Davis Ramona Davis Vickie Dawes Richard Dawson Donald de Fremery John Deeming Pamela Della Howard and Leilani Denn Patricia Derickson Robert and Kimberly DeVries Dee Djajadi Jean Dominguez Margaret Dosch Mary Dubitzky Linda and Duane Duchscherer Donald Dupont and Meg Murray Norm Dyer Carolyn Edwards Frances and James Edwards Joan Edwards James H. Eldredge and Anne M. Breedlove Robert Elia and Suzanne Jones Denise Ellestad Dana Ellingson Robert and Margaret Elliott James Else Marie and Anthony Emerson Russell J. and Patricia Erickson Peter and Virginia Estabrook Herbert and Carla Estes Kenneth Everett and Linda Bloom Cheril Fagan Chris and Allison Farnitano Martha and Richard Fateman Gary and Laura Febus Mary Ellen Fennessey Sheri Ferguson Elaine Ferre and Roger Herrmann Barbara Fierner Willard and Ann Fine

DONORS (up to $999)

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 5

Mark Fischer Harry and Sheilah Fish Vicki Flickinger Nina and Michael Fluss Christopher Forrest and Manisha Ojha Brett and Marguerite Foster Joe and Shirley Fox Helene and Randall Frakes Judy Franceschi Fernanda Franco-Ferrara Jack and Catherine Frost Joan Fuss Rhonda Futterman Milton and Phyllis Gaines Winifred Gegan Mark Geiser Jeannine Gendar June Gentry Lisa Gorrell Janet and Donald Grant John Gravell Bruce and Jan Grenke Sheila Grilli Paul and Mary Grunland Darla Guenzler Frank Hackett Thomas Hagler Richard Hallford Ross and Gladys Hanna Laura Hansen William and Joan Herrick Hansen Janess Hanson Pat Harris Alfred and Marian Harvey Steve Harvey and Pamela Seifert Mary and Charles Haupt Annick Hawkins Cheryl Haynes James Haynes Jacqueline Heath Russ and Kathy Heath Jo Heathcote Claudia and Scott Hein Kelly Hensley-Williams Daniel Hersh Alice Hewlett Sharon Hicks Alison Hill William and Mildred Hill Jeanne Hilson Michael Hitchcock Kent and Nancy Hobert Judie and Jack Hockel Robert Hodil Russell and Betty Holt Jessica Hood Hillary Hoppock Hulet Hornbeck Don and Jane Houser Nancy Howe Irja Howton Jane Hufft William and Lesley Hunt Cathy Ivers Phred and Elaine Jackson Annie Jacobsen David Jesson Carole Jobe Kristi Johnson Robert E. Johnson Kevin and Joan Johnston Jacqueline and Arthur Jones Jean Jones Kathleen & David JonesJunior Garden Club of Orinda Carol Jurasin Steven Kaspar Diane Kauffman

Dean Kelch and Daniel Weinstein John Kiefer Helen Kimball Dixie King Marian King Phyllis King Steven Kirby Norman Kirshen Ron Kline Kathleen Klipera Pete Klosterman Charlie & Leila Knox Werner Koellner Margarete Koenig Ralph & Carolyn Kraetsch Tim & Julie Kruse Wally Kubicek Donald and Charlotte Kuehne Sherry Laird Juliet Lamont and Phil Price James and Beverly Lane Carol Lane & Larry Bradley Michael and Jane Larkin Jeri and Steven Larsen Don and Gladys Laston Ron and Paula Lathrop Bob & Beverly Lauderdale Willard & Sandra Lawrence Melissa & Stephen Lawton Ettore Leale Delia & Kai Lee John and Aiko Lee Martha Lee Rose and Ronald Lernberg Kenneth and Carol Lewis Charles Lewis IV Stuart and Mary Beth Lilly Richard & Charlotte Liniger Samuel Lipson & Sibiha Gokcen Harold & Betsy Little Jane Logan Bill & Teili Long Shirlee Loret Wencke Lubbock Teresa Lucchesi Janet Luhmann Margaret Luna Norm and Christy Lundberg Donna Lunney Suzanne and Nathan Lutz Kathryn Lyddan Barbara and Theodore Lynch James and Shirley Lynch Peggy and Craig Lyon John and Shirley MacDonald Don MacPhee Judith Ann Mahan Jane Mailander Mark and Teresa Makarewicz Greg Mangani & Tiffany Yee Barbara Mann David and Denise Manner Elvino Maragoni & Kimberly Clark Joe Mariotti, M.D. Jack & Judith Marks Helen and Donald Marlow Virginia Marques David and Marilyn Martin Joan Massey Daniel Matson Marjorie & Kimble Mattingly Gene and Deborah McCabe Anna & Floyd McCarty Don & Nancy McCormack Joye & Charles McCoy Stuart & Barbara McCullough Helene & Mark McElyea Peter McGaw Andrea & Michael McGill

Rob McGuire Rose McKinnon Nancy McLaughlin Louis & Janice McLean Shirley McPheeters Joan & Royal McPherson John & Diane Meade Michelle and Rolf Mehlhorn Edgar Mendelsohn Val and Geoff Meredith Adeline Miller Barry and Susan Miller Chuck Mills Angeline Moeller Rey and Ray Monson Bill Mooney Albert and Jerry Anne Morris Andrew Morris Richard Morrison Joan Motes Frank & Jo Anne Muller Paul Muniz Joyce Munson Ellis & Rose-Mary Myers Jeff & Chris Naff Candice & Stephen Newburn Frank Nunes Charles S. O’Connor Iola O’Grady Cort & Rachael O’Haver John and Dianne Ollila M. D. and R. P. Olowin Harold and Marie Olson*Jean Olsson William and Kay O’Neil Lorraine Osborn Lura D. Osgood Elizabeth O’Shea Esther Oswalt Dr. Joseph Ovick Donald & Shiela Pallota Susan Palo Steve and Cathy Pardieck Kathleen Parker Jag and Judy Patel Nancy and Thomas Patten Johanna Payne Joyce Payne Anne-Lise Peachee Martha Pearsall Jan Pearson Pamela Peck Thomas Pericola Lois Phelps Jerry & Virginia Phillips Jordan and Noreen Pitta Beatrice Pixa Eleanor Pozzesi*Barbara Profe Alice Quadros Rosalind Raab Paul Radosevich and Elise Thomas Ted Radosevich and Stephanie Smith Aleta Rafton Charleen Raines Mitch & Kirsten-Taylor Randall Maya Rappaport Wayne and Barbara Rasmussen Constance Regalia Kay and Paul Regan Luana Reichard Brandy Reynolds Steve Riccobono Robyn and Christopher Rice Charles Rickenbacher Peter & Eileen Robertshaw Lisa and Scott Robinson Aldo and Irena Rocca

Tom Rockwell Marj & Gene Ross Joyce Rovanpera Mona Russell Robert Rust John Sadowsky & Connie Fischer David & Shari Safianoff Jan Sanderson Subir and Mary Sanyal Anna Sarkissian Save Mount Diablo Elene Sayre Nancy & Donald Schauer Mark & Leslie Schillinger Richard Schneider Jacqueline & Jeff Schubert Anne Seaman Ed & Laurie Shaffer Peter and Helen Sheaff Thomas and Valerie Sheaff Robert and Michele Sheehan William Shewry Jackie Shikuzawa Richard & Barbara Shoop Naty C. Sigurani Richard Silbert Lorraine and George Silva Katherine Silvey Reta and Duane Simmons Robert Simmons Laurel Singer Igor and Shirley Skaredoff Elizabeth and Thomas Slate Dana Slauson W. L. and Evelyn Slessinger Jack & Joan Slobodin Diane Smith Elizabeth Smith Genny Smith Richard and Sharon Smith William and Barbara Smith William D. and Phyllis Smith Gregory & Jocelyn Smyers Charles & Muriel Sonne Howard Spencer Malcolm Sproul Mary Alice and Joe Stadum State Farm Companies Foundation Good Neighbor Program Margaret H. Steele Donald and Beverly Steffen Jean Steffensen Mr. and Mrs. B. Albert Stern, Jr. Lewis & Diane Stewart Donald and Gail Stock Mr. & Mrs. Robert Stoddard George and Helene Strauss Jo Ann Stumpf Tom & Karen Sturges David and Linda Sturgis Fred and Georgine Sullivan Maura Sullivan and Mary Hamilton Eleanor Sunkel*John and Elouise Sutter Karen Swaim Teddi Swanson Asilee Telfer John and Wilma Telfer*Patty Telfer-Hector The Orinda Road Runners Brian Thiessen Marlene Thompson Rita Tischler Helen Tonti Trails Club of Rossmoor Robert and Cherie Trautz Bruce and Carolyn Trenery Harvey & Ramona Trowbridge Thomas Trowbridge, Jr.

Doris Tucker Steven & Diana Turnbloom Petal Turner Bill and Betty Turnquist Jim and Rita Utz Veronica Vaca Kris Valstad Letty Van Der Vegt Janet and David Van Etten Marta Van Loan and Barbara Hannafan Linda Van Loon Martin and Polina Vitz Philip Waggoner Michael & Joyce Wahlig Niels and Elizabeth Waidtlow Phyllis Wainwright William and Susana Wainwright Kathleen Waite Mashuri & Rahima Warren Janice Watson Thomas S Watt Virginia Weightman Bonny Weil Anne Weiner Mary Wells Nancy Wenninger Edwin West Phyllis and Dale Weston Robert and Karen Wetherell Mark Whatley and Danuta Zaroda Kay Whipp David and Alan Whippy Claudia Whitnah Helene Whitson Billie and Barry Whittaker Whole Foods Market Tim and Meredith Wieland Gary and Betsy Willcuts Margie Williams and Mark Anderson Virginia Williamson Chris & Teri Wills Peter & Amelia Wilson Fred and Diane Wilt Shirley Winchester Janet and George Winter Johna Winters Thurston Womack and Charlotte Cranmer Carolyn & Edwin Wood Michael Wood & Birgit Hueglin-Wood Stephanie Woods Elaine P. Worthington-Jackson Al Yarrington Beverly Young Monica Youngquist Jane Yriberri Ruth Zamist Flavia Zaro Zell & Associates Lisa Zinkan

INDIVIDUALSBonnie GiselSheila GrilliKathy HeathStephen JosephTom Taneyhill

ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSESArcher Norris Bloomfield VineyardsContra Costa Community College DistrictCresco Rentals, MontclairHannah Nicole VineyardsMusicians of the San Francisco Opera

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 6

MHLT DONORS

fresH Aire AffAire

2009 Auction donors

National Park ServiceStarbucks CoffeeUnited Site ServicesViano Vineyards

Bank of America Charitable FoundationBank of the West - Employee Giving ProgramChevron Humankind Matching Gift ProgramClimate Works Foundation Matching GiftsIBM International Foundation Liberty Mutual FoundationMicrosoft Matching Gift ProgramTesoro Refining & Marketing Co.

* Memorial Donation(s)+ Current Member, MHLT Board of Directors

INDIVIDUALSAnonymousTina Batt & Bob DoyleBrian CherryPeter & Susan ColbyAnn & Rob CormackPaul Craig & Kay CoxNorm & Janet PeaseLou & Marilyn StoddardTom TaneyhillWendy TokudaMark & Beanie Wilson

ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSESAurora Theatre CompanyBerkeley Repertory TheatreBroadway PlazaCalifornia SymphonyCavallo PointeCesar RestaurantFleming’s Steakhouse French Garden RestaurantGelateria NaiaHafner VineyardHaute Stuff BistroJane Moore Gourmet BakerMitch-Stewart, Inc.OpenRoad.TV, Doug McConnellOrchard Nursery and FloristPoggio RestaurantRenaissance Club SportRestoration Design GroupRivoli RestaurantSavoy EventsSaintsbury VineyardsSt. George SpiritsThe Art of ShavingTiffany & Co.Va de ViVine Hill Inn Bed and BreakfastWillows Theatre Company

IN KIND DONATIONS

EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS

m u i r H e r i t A g e L A n d t ru s t Hor izons 7

MHLT VOLUNTEERS

fresH Aire AffAire

2009 Auction donors

The Muir Heritage Land Trust

would like to thank Liz Dow

for her wonderful work as an

intern this past summer. Liz is

pursuing a Master of City and

Regional Planning degree at the

University of Pennsylvania with a

concentration in environmental

planning and certificate in land

preservation. Among many other

tasks, Liz collected and organized

GIS data for base maps of

MHLT’s planning corridors and

protected lands. These maps help

the Land Trust prioritize potential

future acquisition opportunities

as well as better steward already

preserved natural areas.

Thanks Liz!

Many thanks to our amazing volunteers. (partial list)

tHank You

Liz doW

h

Cheryl AbelJohn AbelMissy AblinDon AlbonicoJerri AldenMike AldenHelen AleErik AndersonTerrie ArnoldAllen ArthurBob Aston+Jesse AstonRyan AuerJodi BaileyCarol BairMichael BalunEric BarnettJoe BarroHeath BartoshChristina BattMartha BerthelsenArnold BirenbaumNancy BirenbaumEvelyn BoetesByron BogaertMichael BranningChris BraunlichLarkin BreedDorothy BrownJohn BrownSara BushSherida BushMerardo CancioPrudence CarterKaren ChandlerCarol ChangBob ChapmanKathy ChapmanJosie ChewPaul ChewPaul ChoisserMarianne ClarkCameron ClarkeChristene CoanPeter Colby+Tom ColemanKate ColliganLaura CohenNick CompagliaShay CookAnn Cormack+Rob CormackDiane CoventryKay CoxPaul Craig+Martha CuanJoanna CyrBruce DalenJanet DalenJeff DallacquaDavid DemkoStephanie DiPalmaTom DiPalmaQuang DoTina DoddsMel DouglasLiz DowAmy Duffy-RipleyLisa EhlersBud EllisonLois Ellison

Jesse FebusLuba FedusKen Fischer+Craig FishJeff FisherJennifer FrederickLisa FreemanJim GaebeMary Ann GaebeHeather GambergMari GilmoreKanchan GokhaleJ. Mario Gonzalez, Jr.Lucy GoodellRuss GormanRussell GrahamBill GranadosJohn GravellRobert GreenDaniel GreenanMatt GriffisSheila GrilliRalf GueldemeisterLinda HaggertyJennifer HalbertLarry HansonSuzanne HatchChas HaworthJim HeadKathleen HeathRussell HeathDan HendrixKevin HickeyJanet HittleAmanda HoemannJoseph HohlDick HughesMaurice HuguetDenis Huston+June HutchcraftSteve Hutchcraft+Curt HutchingsSon HuynhDavid IngmirePenny JohansenCaren JohnsonMartha JosephLinda KahnDave KangasMarsha KauParveen KaurJanet KennedyJim KennedyJulie KenstTodd KikerStephanie KleinIgor KobrinovitchJohnny KuborssyWill KuehnFran LeightyJudith LernerL. Daniel LevyBev LewChuck LewisGlen LewisEmily LinesFran LoopConrad LowryLaura LuttonKim MalcomBeth Mallonee+Mike MalloneeJoe Matta Jr.Laura MattaDaniel McGlynn

Terri MelzerNancy MillickJoi MilsomFred ModugnoWalter MoellerJosh MooreAl MorrisMichael MuirPaul MunizKevin MurphyPam MurrayJune NakataniDmitry NechayevJanet NelsonLarry NunesKarl OgdenMorris OlderJohn OwsleyDavid PalmerCathy PardieckSteve PardieckIvylyn ParejaMatthew PendergrastDianne PereiraJohn PereiraTimothy PlattPaul PortchAlex PradoBrian PrettiDavid PruettTooba QadriAllison ReynoldsYvonne RobertsPatrick RocheJerry RoeMark RossKarl SaarniBob SandersBrody SandersJulie ScaffNancy SchaeferJullisa SchuchmanGarry SeidlitzApoorva SharmaRob ShroederMegan SiemsRafael SieroAntonio SilveriaKathy SilveyBing SinMark SinclairIgor SkaredoffDon Snaman Dan SolisTibor SpoonJoe StadumMary Alice StadumAlexander StapletonLouis Stoddard+Lynne StormJohn StraigisErik StrombergJoanna SubiaIveta SvalkovskaTom TaneyhillDoug TaylorMarilynn TersteggeLina TolvaisaiteJen TothPatricia TrosclairMichael TrudeauChiu TungEdde TupasPhil VinceTeagen Waibel

Donn Walklet+Tracy WalkletBill WeinerJennifer WhiteCindy WillyardBeanie WilsonMark Wilson+Rollye WiskersonJohn WootenJohnathan WrightJanet YangAnthony YbarraChino YipCharlene YoungRafael ZevallosRona Zollinger

Development CommitteeEducation & Outreach CommitteeFinance CommitteeLand Acquisition CommitteeStewardship Committee

Access AdventureArcher NorrisAT&T PioneersBay Area Ridge Trail CouncilCalifornia Rescue Dog AssociationCivicorps SchoolsContra Costa Fire DistrictEast Bay Regional Park DistrictEnvironmental Studies AcademyJohn Muir AssociationMt. Diablo Astronomical SocietyNational Park ServiceNomad Ecological ConsultingOrganic SolutionsOveraa ConstructionRodeo/Hercules Fire DistrictTilden Wildcat Horsemen’s AssociationVolunteers for Outdoor CaliforniaWine Oh! Magazine

+ Current Member, MHLT Board of Directors

ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES

COMMITTEES

INDIVIDUALS

EMPLOYEE MATCHING GIFT PROGRAMS

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

P.O. Box 2452, Martinez CA 94553

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NonprofitU.S. Postage

PAIDOakland, CAPermit #379

holiday GiftS that Support land conServation

20 Year anniversarY pear BrandY

While supplies last! Experience a one-of-a-kind “eau de vie” produced by acclaimed St. George Spirits of Alameda. Handcrafted from the pears of John Muir’s orchard, this extraordinary fall harvest brandy was made exclusively to celebrate MHLT’s 20 year anniversary.

“Music inspired BY nature” cd

MHLT’s Birthday Benefit Concert Bash with Musicians of the San Francisco Opera

Enjoy this beautiful live recording from MHLT’s birthday concert on July 26th, 2009 – our 20 year anniversary date of incorporation. Amazing English horn by Janet Popesco Archibald and extraordinary performances by other San Francisco Opera musicians.

“B is for BuffLeHead” cHiLdren’s Book

“B is for Bufflehead” is an entertaining and educational avian alphabet filled with funny names, photos and facts. Share the joy of opening a little one’s eyes to the wonderful world of birds!

See envelope insert for order form. Call Ellen Visser with any questions at 925-228-7152.

for a donation of $100 or More, pLease accept: for a donation of $250 or More, pLease accept: