Thanks to generous contributions from our community, the Firedoll Foundation, and the Resources Legacy Fund, we’ve successfully raised the $500,000 needed to purchase and restore the Krane Pond property!
In the fall of 2022, Save Mount Diablo got the opportunity to protect a jewel on the slopes of Mount Diablo’s North Peak and one of the largest water sources on the north side of Mount Diablo, Krane Pond.
Krane Pond. Photo by Sean Burke
Krane Pond has been one of Save Mount Diablo’s priorities since our founding; its ecological significance to the area is profound.
The property is part of Mount Diablo’s “Missing Mile,” a large and unprotected area along the slopes of Mount Diablo’s North Peak.
Directly bordering Mount Diablo State Park, Krane Pond is an important location for wildlife, especially during the hot dry summers, and is a potential habitat for threatened species like the Alameda whipsnake and California red-legged frog.
Thanks to You, We’re Permanently Protecting Krane Pond!
Development reaches the edge of the Krane Pond property. Photo by Cooper Ogden
Over the years, development has steadily carved its way through the Diablo foothills, destroying valuable habitat connections.
This development has reached the border of Krane Pond.
In fact, years ago, a large area right next to the pond came close to being developed.
Visitors can still see grading alongside the shore where there were previously plans to construct a house, which ultimately would have been a disaster for the ecosystem of Krane Pond.
Krane Pond’s oak woodland habitat. Photo by Scott Hein
Protecting Mount Diablo’s water sources is particularly vital in a time filled with years of drought and record summer heat waves. Krane Pond is a clean safe oasis for animals when other water sources dry up, and we intend to keep it that way.
The oak woodland habitat throughout the property is also a thriving habitat for native birds, despite its location adjacent to a housing development.
By purchasing Krane Pond, we’re stopping development in its tracks and ensuring that this major water source continues to sustain Mount Diablo’s wildlife for generations.
We expect to close escrow and own the property before Christmas of 2023—what a great gift for the mountain, for wildlife, and for all the kids who will experience Krane Pond in the future.
This blog post was updated on November 9, 2023.
