| Region | The Diablo Range |
|---|---|
| Description | Save Mount Diablo’s 10,000 Plants and Trees project has surpassed 4,000 plantings as part of its mission to restore native ecosystems and combat climate change. Staff and volunteers have been planting and protecting a variety of native species, including oaks, pines, milkweeds, and bunchgrasses, across sites like our Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve and Curry Canyon Ranch. Tree cages help safeguard young saplings, while ongoing care like watering and weeding ensures their survival. These efforts enhance biodiversity, sequester carbon, and support wildlife, including the imperiled monarch butterfly. |
| Project Started | 2021 |
| Goal | As part of our Climate Action Plan, the goal is to plant and protect 10,000 trees and native plants in 10 years. Volunteers are encouraged to join upcoming Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) workdays to help sustain this important conservation work. |
Restoring Native Habitats to Combat Climate Change: Our 10,000 Plants and Trees Project
Our 10,000 Plants and Trees project is a critical initiative aimed at mitigating climate change through ecological restoration.
With 4,368 plants and trees planted and protected as of March 2025, this long-term effort aligns with global scientific consensus that land stewardship is a key climate solution.
The UN recognizes land use and management as one of the top three strategies for addressing climate change, and native plants play a significant role in carbon sequestration and ecosystem resilience.
The past century has seen an unprecedented rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide due to fossil fuel emissions, deforestation, and habitat destruction.
Native trees and plants counteract these effects by absorbing carbon both above ground and in their extensive root systems.
Unlike non-native species, native bunch grasses and trees—such as oaks and pines—develop deep roots that store carbon underground, protecting it even in the event of wildfires.
This process not only reduces greenhouse gases but also prevents soil erosion and fosters biodiversity.
Through this project, Save Mount Diablo is actively restoring habitats by planting native species, removing invasive plants, and protecting naturally sprouting seedlings with tree cages to ensure their survival.
Sites like Curry Canyon Ranch, Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve, and our Marsh Creek properties are benefiting from these efforts, providing crucial habitat for wildlife, including the imperiled monarch butterfly.
By restoring these ecosystems, we are enhancing their resilience against climate extremes while supporting regional biodiversity.
With ongoing stewardship and community participation, we are on track to meet our ambitious goal of planting and protecting 10,000 native trees and plants in a decade.
Volunteers play a crucial role in this success, assisting with planting, watering, and maintenance at Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) workdays.
