The Founding of Save Mount Diablo

         Extraordinary changes in land use development took place in Contra Costa County during the 1960's and helped lead to Save Mount Diablo's formation on December 7, 1971, during the rapid expansion of the environmental movement following the first Earth Day. 
        Public perception at the time was that the State Park included the entire mountain.  The truth was the State Park stood alone at the summit and down to Rock City, a solitary 6,788 acres.  Except for the drive to the summit, you could not easily get into the Park.  None of the low elevation staging areas or trails existed, none of the city or regional open spaces had been created, and local environmentalists became increasingly alarmed as subdivisions started creeping up to the mountain's foothills.  A flashpoint in these applications was the Scott development at Walnut Creek's Shell Ridge. 
      At meetings of local conservation groups Dr.  Mary Bowerman, a student of the mountain's botany since 1930 and author of The Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mount Diablo, California, would rise to ask "What can we do to help save Mount Diablo."  Finally Arthur Bonwell, Chairman of the Mount Diablo Regional Group of the Sierra Club, responded, "why don't we start a group to focus on expanding the State Park?"  Bowerman provided the inspiration, Bonwell helped get things organized, and on December 7, 1971 a first meeting was held.
        SMD was initially made up of representatives from organizations-city recreation commissions, hiking, biking and horsemen's clubs, an archery club, the AAUW, the Sierra Club, the Contra Costa Park Council, etc.-whoever it was thought might have an interest.  The initial goal was to protect and preserve Mount Diablo, primarily by pushing for legislative attention and state park bond acts.  It was decided to maintain a narrow focus on the mountain and to avoid other issues.
        From the beginning, Save Mount Diablo responded to development applications, beginning with the Morgan Territory Estates project and the proposal for Blackhawk, seeking to stop development or preserve sensitive areas as a condition of its approval.
        Before long, SMD decided that one of the best ways to spur acquisition would be to help raise money to acquire land.  In 1976 the group made its first acquisition, 117 acres at the corner of Marsh Creek and Morgan Territory Roads, strategically expanding the State Park to the northeast.
        Also from the beginning, Save Mount Diablo worked with other organizations and agencies to achieve its goals.  It aided and encouraged the East Bay Regional Park District and various cities as they began creating preserves in the mountain's foothills.  By the 1980s the group's focus had expanded from simply park expansion to secondary goals of the creation of wildlife and recreational corridors connecting the various parks.
        Park management is a secondary goal for the group, but Save Mount Diablo has weighed in on many policy issues, including grazing and the removal of communication towers.  It has built and sponsored a variety of recreational projects, such as the repair of picnic areas and the creation of campgrounds, and has restored habitat and species such as the endangered peregrine falcon.  SMD's Board of Directors  has gradually expanded the organization's Area of Interest as parks expanded and the group's capacity increased.
        In 1980 SMD incorporated as a non-profit corporation.  Over the years, SMD's 'representative' structure boiled down to a committed Board of Directors.  In 1988 the group hired its first staff and in 1996 opened its first office.  From a membership of 1,000 supporters in 1988, by 2001 the group included 6,000.
        From a single park and 6,788 acres in 1971, high on the mountain's slopes, today twenty parks and preserves are found on and around Mount Diablo, stretching from Walnut Creek to Brentwood and Livermore, totaling more than 81,000 acres.  Meanwhile, co-founders Mary Bowerman and Arthur Bonwell both continue as active members of the Board of Directors of Save Mount Diablo.

A Summary of Accomplishments 1971-2001

 1971:  Save Mount Diablo is convened on December 7, 1971, Pearl Harbor Day, at Heather Farms Garden Center in Walnut Creek.  The organization immediately began lobbying for legislative funding, in this case specifically for passage of and funds from AB 3066.

 1972:  Save Mount Diablo established priorities including the preservation of the mountain's major peaks and expansion of Mt. Diablo State Park to Morgan Territory and Highland Ridges.  SMD also lobbied for creation of the County Tree Preservation Ordinance and opposed the Morgan Territory Estates development.

1973:  SMD helped preserve Donner Canyon, part of Mitchell Canyon, and pushed for the creation of Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve and Shell Ridge Open Space, including support of state and local bonds for acquisition.  It also advised the East Bay Regional Park District on the first acquisitions for Diablo Foothills Regional Preserve.  It began leading the open space preservation effort at Blackhawk, at the Bryan Ranch development (leading to the dedication of Emmons Canyon) and supported Senator Nejedly's SB 956 with funding for Lime Ridge Open Space, and use of County open space revenues for acquisition.  It helped in the effort to stop County ground squirrel poisoning, which had been impacting rare predators..

 1974:  SMD began the first "April on the Mountain" hike and event series to popularize Diablo area open space.  It supported the 1974 Park Bond Act  with funding for state and regional parks and a local Walnut Creek area bond for city open space.   It opposed Blackhawk, a development below Donner Canyon and an Arroyo del Cerro flood control project, and pioneered the County's ridgeline and open space dedication policy.

 1975:  SMD helped preserve the remainder of Mitchell and White Canyons and pushed for the creation of Morgan Territory Regional Preserve and the expansion of Black Diamond Mines to include Nortonville.  It supported Walnut Creek acquisition at  Shell and Lime Ridges, secured Land & Water Conservation funding, and opposed the Curtola subdivision in Diablo.

 1976:  SMD made its first direct acquisition, 117 acres at the corner of Morgan Territory and Marsh Creek Roads, miles from the State Park.  It pushed for the creation of Diablo Foothills Regional Park, helped preserve Perkins Canyon, Pine Canyon and aided in the preservation of Coyote Creek at Morgan Territory.  It aided local efforts for bond funding leading to the creation of Lime Ridge Open Space, secured $2 million for Mount Diablo in SB 1455 and supported the Prop. 2-State Park Bond Act.  It opposed widening of Marsh Creek Road and new communication towers on North Peak (ultimately filing a lawsuit) and supported a new Contra Costa County 'Open Space Easement' ordinance.

 1977:  In August the largest fire in many years burned across Mt. Diablo north side.  SMD helped preserve Macedo Ranch, Pine Ridge, and supported expansion of Black Diamond Mines.  For the first time, it began consideration of an open space connection from the State Park to Black Diamond Mines and urged EBRPD to enlarge the Preserve into the Clayton area.  It secured $2.25m in SB 341 for State Park additions at Pine Canyon.  It proposed a Lime Ridge Trail from Concord BART to Mt. Diablo, the first effort to create a Lime Ridge connection.  It requested and supported a new CC County Communication Tower Policy.

 1978:  SMD attained designation of Mt. Diablo as a State Historical Landmark, helped preserve the Oyster Point area above Blackhawk, and the Falls Trail area of Mt. Olympia.  After the 1977 Mt. Diablo fire, it convinced the Contra Costa Times to use funds raised for revegetation instead for a disabled accessible "fire interpretive trail" near the summit.  It opposed the Mountain Meadows development in Morgan Territory.

1979:  SMD opposed Bogue Ranch in Alamo and worked with EBRPD on a later dedication, responded to Pine Hollow and Clayton developments, and gained improvements in the new County Quarry Ordinance.  It opposed PG&E high tension lines through Black Diamond and the State Park, resulting in their relocation outside of the Preserve.  It supported designation of State Funding for the Las Trampas to Mt. Diablo Trail, Nejedly's SB-547 1980 State Park Bond, his SB-5 appropriation for Clayton Oaks and Assemblyman Boatwright's appropriation from the 1974 state bond.

 1980:  SMD incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  It helped preserve North Peak and Prospectors Gap, Long Ridge, and more of Pine Canyon.  It worked for improvement in the State Parks Commission State Park System 1980 Plan, opposed urbanization of Morgan Territory and development of Newhall (Lime Ridge), and supported down zoning in the Tassajara Valley.  It supported the 1980 State Bond Act and urged recreation at the proposed federal Los Vaqueros reservoir.   Its land use efforts lead to the first of the Black hawk dedications of the Blackhills in the vicinity of Southgate Rd., Dan Cook Canyon, Wall Point, and Jackass Canyon, the largest dedication to that point to the State Park system, increasing the park's size by nearly 25%.

 1981:  SMD celebrated its 10th Anniversary.  It helped create Concord's Pine Hollow Open Space and negotiated dedication of the Regency Meadows Open Space.  It opposed development at the Claretian Missionaries site in Clayton and secured legislative funding for acquisition.

 1982:  SMD attained designation of Mt. Diablo as a National Natural Landmark.   It  helped preserve Emmons Canyon, Rhyne Canyon and supported further expansion of Black Diamond Mines at Nortonville.  It sought restoration of trails funding eliminated by the state  legislature.  It opposed subdivision of the Musco property in Riggs Canyon and on Highland Ridge.  It attained grazing management improvements at the State Park. 

 1983:  SMD helped preserve the remainder of Mt. Olympia and Rhyne Canyon.   It supported AB2099/ Prop 18 1984 State Parks bond.

 1984:  SMD helped in the transfer of the Black Point area from the BLM to the DPR, secured Land and Water Conservation Funding for the historic Soto Ranch acquisition and helped preserve part of the Shell Ridge, Briones to MD Trail area.  It sought county review of the communication tower policy.

 1985:  SMD helped preserve more land in Pine Canyon for Diablo Foothills.   It participated in the Contra Costa General Plan Congress.

 1986:  SMD helped preserve part of Curry Canyon, additional lands along Coyote Creek, and Morgan Territory Ridge.

 1987:  SMD conducts a fundraising and organizational expansion study.  It began preservation efforts at Riggs Canyon, helped preserve Jackass Canyon, Castle Rock with the EBRPD, part of Curry Canyon, Blackhawk Ridge, and the addition of Bogue Ranch to Diablo Foothills.

 1988:  SMD hired its first staff, helped lead local efforts to qualify and pass the Prop. 70 CalPAW  Parks Bond and Contra Costa efforts to pass the EBRPD Measure AA, providing significant new funding for the state and regional parks.  It reintroduced peregrine falcons to Mt. Diablo.  It aided Clayton creek preservation efforts and helped preserve sections of Mt. Diablo Creek, Camp Force in Lower Rock City, Perry in Riggs Canyon and on Highland Ridge.  SMD helped lead the fight against the Diablo Foothills Freeway and three Contra Costa landfill proposals and pushed for the creation of Round Valley Regional Preserve.  It also negotiated a 500 acre scenic easement at Clayton Valley Farms and pushed for recreational planning at Los Vaqueros.  It helped organize support for the new Mt. Diablo State Park General Plan, limiting grazing.  It led the first backpacking trip on the proposed "Diablo Trail", made possible by recent acquisitions between the State Park and Morgan Territory.

 1989:  SMD acquired the 631-acre Morgan Ranch in Riggs Canyon and on Highland Ridge, allowing the first connection from Mt. Diablo State Park to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, further expanded with support of the Cardoza acquisition .  It helped preserve Oyster Point.  SMD helped lead the fight against three Contra Costa landfill proposals, led preservation efforts at Rancho Paraiso, Crystyl Ranch, Athenian School and at Blackhills.  It sponsored a referendum at Crystyl Ranch.

 1990:  SMD supported the Black Diamond Arata acquisition in Markley Canyon and at Sidney Flats.  It helped improve the Northgate Specific Plan, aided citizens in Walnut Creek with a growth control measure and helped lead the Measure F Urban Limit Line effort.  It organized local support for Prop. 117-the Mt. Lion Initiative and aided Walnut Creek with its Measure N Park Bond.

 1991:  SMD celebrated its 20th Anniversary and received a "Take Pride in California" award from the State.  It stopped development at the Wirthman property at the Highland Ridge connection from Mt. Diablo State Park to Morgan Territory Regional Preserve, allowing EBRPD to acquire land to widen the corner connection and allow trail access.  It continued to lead support of the Mt. Diablo State Park General Plan and began a 5-year effort related to Clayton's Marsh Creek Specific Plan, holding off most of it until the Urban Limit Line was tightened.  It began a nine year effort opposing development at Clayton Ranch, which was subsequently acquired by the EBRPD.  It stopped proposed development at Chaparral Spring, which it later acquired, at Newhall North, which is later acquired, and of the Mariani property at the mouth of Riggs Canyon and on Highland Ridge.

 1992:  SMD received the first Helen Crocker Russell Award from the San Francisco Foundation and is a finalist for a "Take Pride In America" Award.  It acquired Three Springs, helped acquire land at the Morgan Territory staging area and proposed a Mt. Diablo to Black Diamond Mines corridor.  It helped improve the Contra Costa County Hillside Ordinance, began a nine year effort on the Sand Quarry project in Concord.  It completed the 4th year of the Peregrine Falcon reintroduction program.

 1993:  SMD helped preserve and provided funding for further expansion of Morgan Territory RP into Riggs Canyon at the Musco/MAM property.  It stopped development at Chaparral Spring for a second time and helped improve the new Concord General Plan.  Its land use planning efforts helped lead to the acquisition of the Newhall North & South properties for Lime Ridge Open Space.  SMD officially proposed the 30-mile "Diablo Trail" across six open spaces from Walnut Creek to Brentwood and Livermore.

 1994:  SMD acquired Chaparral Spring, the first effort to connect the State Park north to Black Diamond Mines, and aided in the expansion of Round Valley.

 1995:  SMD conducted a strategic planning study.  It aided in the expansion of Round Valley and helped secure the Round Valley staging area from the S.H. Cowell Foundation.  Its land use efforts resulted in significant dedications to Lime Ridge Open Space.  Seth Adams, SMD's Director of Land Programs, received a "Star of the Greenbelt" award from Greenbelt Alliance.

 1996:  SMD celebrated its 25th Anniversary.  Co-founders Arthur Bonwell and Dr. Mary Bowerman received a Chevron-Times Mirror Magazine National Conservation Award, former president Susan Watson received the Contra Costa Times "Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement", and the organization was awarded the State Department of Parks and Recreation's "DeWitt Award" and a League of Women Voters "Citizen of Achievement" Award.  It preserved Lower Sycamore Canyon in the Blackhills and supported the creation of Brushy Peak Regional Preserve.  It aided in a three year East County Biodiversity Pilot Study.

 1997:  Save Mount Diablo hired its first Executive Director, opened its first office, and completed an organizational planning study.  The local council of the Boy Scouts of America presented SMD with an Award for Achievement in Environmental Enhancement and former president Susan Watson with "Environmentalist of the Year."  It helped preserve Vasco Caves, after long involvement in the configuration of Los Vaqueros and the new Vasco Road.  It led efforts to stop the Pittsburg Southeast Hills Annexation adjacent to Black Diamond Mines and aided opposition to Cowell Ranch and Tassajara development.

 1998:  Co-founder Mary Bowerman received Contra Costa County's "Women of Achievement Hall of Fame" award.  SMD established new acquisition priorities including an expansion of its focus to include several new areas.  It helped preserve Garaventa, the hole in the doughnut at Black Diamond Mines and a former proposed landfill site; negotiated a dedication at Athenian School and aided the EBRPD in the funding to acquire the first part of  1,030 acre Clayton Ranch.  It also negotiated significant open space preservation along the Las Trampas to Mt. Diablo Regional Trail.

1999:  SMD acquired the Silva Ranch, negotiated an 1123 acre easement at Roddy Ranch, extending preserved open space nearly four miles toward Round Valley, and helped acquire and fund Turtle Rock Ranch.  Its work resulted in the final Blackhawk dedication in the Blackhills, Oyster Pt. Area.   It supported expansion of Brushy Peak, helped fund Clayton Ranch and helped secure additions to Diablo Foothills and Round Valley.

 2000:  SMD helped fund the final part of Clayton Ranch, helped secure an addition to Diablo Foothills, and supported expansion of Brushy Peak.  It helped in the new EBRPD Measure W effort and supported improvements in Regional Park District grazing policies.  It helped lead efforts to tighten the Contra Costa County Urban Limit Line.  Co-founders Arthur Bonwell and Dr. Mary Bowerman received Diablo Publications "Threads of Hope" Award for Lifetime Achievement and Seth Adams, SMD's Director of Land Programs, received The John Muir Memorial Association's "John Muir Conservation Award."

2001:  On December 10, 2001 SMD celebrated its 30th Anniversary.  The EBRPD honored the organization and its founders by naming the crest of Highland Ridge in Morgan territory as 'Founders Ridge."  In 2001 it helped secure additional acreage at Highland Ridge, and acquired the Wright/Curry property, to provide a major entrance to the State Park from the east.  Its land use efforts resulted in an addition to Lime Ridge Open Space.  It helped the Trust for Public Land in fundraising efforts at Cowell Ranch and continued efforts related to a Contra Costa East County Habitat Conservation Plan, Tassajara development, Future Urban Area #1 and Roddy Ranch in Antioch, and the Montreaux project in Pittsburg.

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