Diablo Watch Magazine

We helped to pass a new law that cleared roadblocks for state parks land acquisition (including on Mount Diablo), acquired another critical inholding in Mount Diablo State Park (the Nunn-Paulsen inholding), and won a major lawsuit in Dublin. This year, we’ve continued to make huge strides for California conservation as we work with our partners to restore land; bring kids outside to connect with nature; and support scientific research on tule elks, scorpions, and more. Our educational programs continue to expand, with new fall field trips that immerse kids in nature, empowering them with a deeper understanding of our local landscapes and the ability to care for them.

This year has been one of huge strides for Diablo Range conservation. In June, we hosted the first-ever Diablo Range Convening, building connections with more than 150 people from over 60 organizations up and down the Diablo Range. We have also been working with state lawmakers in Sacramento, creating legislation that that aims to advance the Diablo Range as an official California conservation priority. Our Assembly Concurrent Resolution 107 has passed the Assembly and heads to the Senate in January. We also celebrated a major victory in Dublin, where the judge tentatively ruled in our favor against the city’s decision to put Measure II on the November 2024 ballot without any kind of environmental review. Measure II would have allowed for commercial development in Doolan Canyon.

These are challenging times, but Save Mount Diablo is still celebrating major victories for nature. Last year, we won two ballot campaigns; we helped pass the $10 billion California climate bond, Prop. 4, and pass Measure A in San Benito County, which will slow growth by giving voters a say on land use decisions in the county. This March, Save Mount Diablo purchased the 98-acre Ginochio Schwendel Ranch, which lies along the Marsh Creek wildlife corridor. Save Mount Diablo is supporting research on wildlife up and down the Diablo Range, and has unveiled new trails, which open up land that was closed to the public for nearly a century.