2021-02-08T13:11:16-08:00 2020-03-31 942769017 DAMORE HAMRIC & SCHNEIDER INC 1515 RIVER PARK DR STE 150 SACRAMENTO CA 95815 990 2019-04-01 942681735 SAVE MOUNT DIABLO SAVE 9259473535 1901 OLYMPIC BOULEVARD WALNUT CREEK CA 94596 EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 2021-02-08 true RONALD A LEY P00054151 9164812856 2019 2022-09-23 18:48:47Z EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR 1901 OLYMPIC BOULEVARD 320 WALNUT CREEK CA 94596 4547811 false X WWW.SAVEMOUNTDIABLO.ORG X 1971 CA SEE SCHEDULE O 17 17 22 374 0 415938 4170724 15467 135694 5912 102048 21158 437317 4429624 1760 58956 0 407844 1510015 0 566243 364183 1165327 773787 2734298 -336470 1695326 20686103 22522201 714404 604454 19971699 21917747 Preserve Land on and around Mount Diablo to ensure healthy ecosystems and continued access. false false 803356 20688 LAND USE PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP:LAND USE PLANNING: SAVE MOUNT DIABLO REGULARLY MONITORS THE AGENDAS OF 50 DIFFERENT PLANNING COMMITTEES AND PUBLIC AGENCIES. THIS WORK CAN TAKE TIME AS WE RESEARCH, WRITE LETTERS, TESTIFY AND COLLABORATE ON SOLUTIONS. WE RESPONDED TO 25 LAND USE PROJECTS IN 2019 AND ATTENDED NUMEROUS HEARINGS. (CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O)STEWARDSHIP: SAVE MOUNT DIABLO CURRENTLY OWNS AND/OR MANAGES 19 PROPERTIESTOTALING 1,800 ACRES. SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ALSO MONITORS PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON 2 PROPERTIES, TOTALING 22 ACRES. (CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 634503 58956 115006 EDUCATION & RECREATION:FROM OUTDOOR EDUCATION, LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS TO SUPPORTING OFFICE OPERATIONS, EVENTS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND RECREATION.(CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 80000 LAND ACQUISITION:SAVE MOUNT DIABLO CONTINUES LONG-TERM NEGOTIATIONS TO PROTECT IMPORTANT PROPERTIES. SAVE MOUNT DIABLO SECURED AN OPTION AGREEMENT FOR A 154 +/- ACRE CONSERVATION EASEMENT ON THE HIGHLY STRATEGIC CONCORD MT. DIABLO TRAIL RIDE ASSOCIATION LANDS ON THE SLOPES OF MOUNT DIABLOS NORTH PEAK, CONTIGUOUS WITH MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK.(CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 1517859 true true false true false false true false false true true true false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false false true true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 22 0 true 22 true false false false false false true true false 0 false false false false false false false X 17 17 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false CA X X X MONICA OEI 9259473535 1901 OLYMPIC BOULEVARD SUITE 320 WALNUT CREEK CA 94596 EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 151131 0 9376 Marcia Slackman Dev. Director 40.00 0.00 117296 0 15654 SETH ADAMS LAND CONSERV. DIR. 40.00 0.00 106355 0 18394 MEREDITH HENDRICKS LAND PROG. DIR. 40.00 0.00 114545 0 6064 SCOTT HEIN Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Joe Garaventa Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BURT BASSLER Treasurer 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Carol Lane Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM FELTON Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GALLAGHER Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LIZ HARVEY Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CLAUDIA HEIN vp/secretary 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MARGARET KRUSE Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 FRANK MARTENS Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BOB MARX Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT PHELPS Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MALCOLM SPROUL President 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 JEFF STONE Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Garrett Girvan Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Giselle Jurkanin Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Keith Alley Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 489327 49488 4 false true false Shute Mihaly & Weinberger LLP 396 Hayes St San Francisco CA 94102 LEGAL 110803 1 376056 3794668 141959 4170724 LAND REVENUE & MGMT FEES 900099 20688 20688 PROGRAM EVENTS 900099 115006 115006 135694 102048 102048 0 0 0 0 135825 376056 118187 17638 17638 0 0 OTHER INCOME 900099 3520 3520 3520 4429624 135694 123206 0 58956 58956 0 0 160507 28089 48152 84266 0 1349508 650315 437692 261501 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 177542 127393 31039 19110 0 89358 38635 19214 31509 10899 8722 863 1314 0 171774 95566 41680 34528 51737 39280 2958 9499 0 0 0 0 113905 108210 5695 44002 34465 3660 5877 OUTSIDE SERVICES 115349 59675 1884 53790 EQUIPMENT/MAINTENANCE/RENTAL 92481 31444 8049 52988 ACQUISITION-CONSERVATION LAND 80000 80000 Printing and Publications 73218 50724 22494 145062 106385 26816 11861 2734298 1517859 650196 566243 691904 1860412 0 902858 602931 187211 21400 0 0 0 0 39085 67688 303070 233948 90497 69122 0 3544110 3767393 0 0 15230438 16133255 20686103 22522201 240311 181653 76400 53780 397693 369021 714404 604454 X 17050751 18796033 2920948 3121714 19971699 21917747 20686103 22522201 X 1695326 10356 151815 88551 X false true X true false X 2205719 3285286 3575194 2428722 4170724 15665645 0 0 2205719 3285286 3575194 2428722 4170724 15665645 3836037 11829608 29691 15911 23780 59208 102048 230638 46547 95828 142375 175530 142039 184430 52347 17638 571984 16610642 744811 0.71220 0.76640 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED false false true true true true true true true true true 78962 78962 false false Part II-B, Line 1i - Other Activities Description SMD helped support Measure Y in Danville to increase protected open space in the city, but was not a leader in the campaign. We continued to prepare for the upcoming election in Antioch as well as defend legal challenges to our Let Antioch Voters Decide Initiative, but were not engaged nearly as much as we had been the previous year due to the success of our previous signature gathering effort and that no campaign was scheduled. X X 3 18 1 true false 918260 1050479 -29019 1939720 897176 21084 918260 752370 172872 -28066 897176 752202 168 752370 0.83000 0.17000 false false false 283838 214716 69122 19232 19232 69122 3767393 CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST 927906 CONSERVATION LAND 12978014 CONSERVATION LAND HELD FOR SALE 10600 CONSERVATION LAND STRUCTURES 1147520 DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT 3 DEPOSIT 8892 LAND PURCHASE IN ESCROW 659421 LAND PURCHASE OPTION 400899 16133255 CRT Distribution Payable 369021 369021 4595825 10356 29107 126738 166201 4429624 4429624 2881592 29107 118187 147294 2734298 2734298 Part II, Line 5: Summarized Policy Save Mount Diablo has an SMD Board and Land Trust Accreditation Commission-approved Conservation Easement Enforcement Policy which outlines annual monitoring, land owner relationships, violation protocols and enforcement guidelines. Save Mount Diablo also maintains a legal defense fund and holds Terra Firma conservation insurance. Part II, Line 9: Organization Reporting of conservation easements. Deed of Conservation Easement: A perpetual conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified organization, such as a land trust, to protect the natural or cultural resources of that land forever. The conservation easement will protect the resources SMD purchased the property to save, by having the landowner help steward the land while also allowing them to live on the land they love when applicable. The agreement limits the landowners rights on the property in order to protect the lands conservation values. In 2016, the Organization acquired its first conservation easement in connection with the sale of the Curry Creek 2 property, totaling 4.9 acres. The easement has no financial value since zoning permits a minimum parcel size of 5 acres, limiting development value to the existing, single home site. In 2017, the Organization acquire second conservation easement Marsh Creek 2, totaling 16 acres. The Organization has valued the easement as $1 in the financial statements. Part V, Line 4: Intended uses of the endowment fund. The long-term goal of Save Mount Diablos (SMD) Stewardship Endowment Fund is to financially support, in perpetuity, SMDs stewardship obligations for its conserved lands and other properties under its care. To fulfill its stewardship obligations, SMD must have the resources to perform activities such as the following:periodically monitor and visit each protected property;maintain SMD Fee Simple owned property infrastructure;preserve natural and cultural resources through adaptive management;address safety risks and reduce liability;respond to landowner inquiries on SMD Conservation Easement lands;maintain relations with neighbors of SMD Fee Simple owned properties, and participate in landowner collaborations such as road associations;maintain relations with landowners of SMD Conservation Easement lands;respond to requests for approval of permitted activities on SMD Conservation Easement lands;respond to requests to amend a Conservation Easement;respond to Conservation Easement violations to address problems and avoid litigation;conduct habitat restoration and climate resiliency work on Fee Simple owned lands;conduct fire abatement activities on SMD Fee Simple lands; numerous other stewardship activities such as managing conservation grazing programs and other outside services on SMD conserved lands; respond to natural disasters such as floods and fires;pay applicable taxes and fees associated with the property or property interest ownership; andany other stewardship matters and costs that come up for SMDs conserved lands and properties under its care. Part XI, Line 2d: Other revenue amounts included in F/S but not included on form 990 UNREALIZED GAIN ON CHARITABLE REMAINDER $8551 DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSE $118187 Part XII, Line 2d: Other expenses and losses per audited F/S DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSE $118187 X X X X X X false CA AR GA MA MD MO NC NJ NY OH OR TN WA WI PA NM MOONLIGHT MOUNTAIN 511881 376056 135825 34095 60311 23781 511881 376056 135825 34095 60311 23781 118187 17638 true 0 0 MARY BOWERMAN SCIENCE RESEARCH 7 11606 Joseph, Stephen 1 20000 NBCUniversal Media, LLC 1 20000 Regional Parks Foundation 1 5000 Rainforest Trust 1 1000 Bay Nature Institute 1 1000 East bay Climate Action Network 1 250 Contra Costa Resource Recovery Dist 1 100 Grantmaker's Description of How Grants are Used Save Mount Diablo's Stewardship and Outreach Coordinator staffs the Mary Bowerman Science and Research Program. The coordinator is responsible for overseeing that all of the grant requirements are met. As a condition of the funding, awardees are responsible for presenting at the annual Mary Bowerman Science and Research Colloquium in December. Staff coordinates this event and tracks what awardees present in the given year. If there is a conflict with Colloquium scheduling, awardees can submit a written report by the end of the calendar year. X X false false false false false false false false false EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 134595 16536 9376 160507 X 3 118546 X SUPPLIES 2 175 FMV X FOOD 10 23238 FMV false true false Form 990, Part VI, Line 2: Description of Business or Family Relationship of Officers, Directors, Et BOARD MEMBERS, SCOTT HEIN AND CLAUDIA HEIN, ARE HUSBAND AND WIFE. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process Form 990 is reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee. The board receives a complete copy before the form is filed. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts All key employees and all board & committee members are required to fill out a form annually. If there is a conflict with any staff, the Executive Director shall determine whether a conflict of interest exists. If it is a board or committee member, the board shall determine if a conflict of interest exists. The person(s) involved with the transaction shall not be present during the board or committee's discussion. Any recusal of a board or committee member from the meeting is also noted in the minutes. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management The Executive Director reviews compensation with the Executive Committee (composed of elected board members) based on other non-profit comparisons; the Executive Committee reviews the compensation for the Executive Director. This is an annual review prior to year end. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees The Executive Director reviews compensation with the Executive Committee (composed of elected board members) based on other non-profit comparisons; the Executive Committee reviews the compensation for the Executive Director. This is an annual review prior to year end. Form 990, Part VI, Line 18: Explanation of Other Means Forms Available For Public Inspection THE FORM 990 IS POSTED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE AND IS ALSO AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Increases ACQUISITIONS OF CONSERVATION LAND = $80000 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Increases UNREALIZED GAIN ON CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST = $8551 FORM 990, PART I, LINE 1 ORGANIZATION MISSION OR SIGNIFICANT ACTIVITIES:OUR MISSION IS TO FOREVER PRESERVE THE REMAINING 70,000 ACRES OF NATURAL LANDS AROUND MOUNT DIABLO THROUGH A CONSERVATION APPROACH THAT INTEGRATES PERPETUAL LAND PRESERVATION, ADVOCACY, STEWARDSHIP, LAND USE PLANNING, AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS. WE WORK TO PRESERVE MOUNT DIABLOS PEAKS, SURROUNDING FOOTHILLS, AND WATERSHEDS THROUGH LAND ACQUISITION AND PRESERVATION STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE MOUNTAINS NATURAL BEAUTY, BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, AND HISTORICAL AND AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE; ENHANCE OUR AREAS QUALITY OF LIFE AND PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES CONSISTENT WITH THE PROTECTION OF NATURAL RESOURCES. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4A (CONTINUED) LAND USE PLANNING (CONTINUED):CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION REUSE PLANAFTER ALMOST TWO DECADES OF ADVOCACY WORK BY SAVE MOUNT DIABLO, WE CELEBRATED THE HAND-OVER OF OVER 2,000 ACRES OF LAND FOR THE NEW REGIONAL PARK TO THE EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT AND ENCOURAGED PARTIES TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE COMMON GOALS ON THE SPECIFIC PLAN AND CITY DEVELOPMENT PART OF THE PROJECT.ANTIOCHOUR COALITION WAS SUCCESSFUL IN BUILDING CITY OF ANTIOCH SUPPORT FOR OUR INITIATIVE TO ADD MORE PROTECTIONS TO THE SAND CREEK FOCUS AREA, RICH IN CONSERVATION VALUES. WE BUILT A SUCCESSFUL FOUNDATION SO THAT WE CAN BRING OUR INITIATIVE TO THE VOTERS IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.COALITIONSWE CONTINUED COALITION WORK IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING EFFORTS AT THE CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION AND STRENGTHENED OUR COALITION IN ANTIOCH FOR A 2020 CAMPAIGN FOR OUR INITIATIVE TO BETTER PROTECT THE SAND CREEK FOCUS AREA WHICH INCLUDES THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF IMPORTANT OPEN SPACE.URBAN LIMIT LINESWE CONTINUED TO WATCH FOR THREATS TO THE URBAN LIMIT LINE (ULL).LEGAL REVIEWWE SUCCESSFULLY FENDED OFF LEGAL CHALLENGES TO OUR INITIATIVE IN ANTIOCH.EAST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY HABITAT CONSERVANCY PLAN WE PARTICIPATED IN THE PUBLIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE HCP/NCCP AND ENCOURAGED CREATION OF AN HCP/NCCP IN ANTIOCH.STEWARDSHIP (CONTINUED):MORE THAN 350 VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED OVER 7,400 HOURS OF SERVICE IN 2019. THEY HAVE SUPPORTED LAND MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. RECURRENT VOLUNTEERS INCLUDE: 35 PROPERTY MONITORS AND 90 VOLUNTEER STEWARDS.VOLUNTEERSOUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEROES AND HEROINES OF LAND PRESERVATION. THEY HELP MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE, WHETHER IT BE BY HELPING RESTORE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS, BECOMING A HIKE LEADER, ASSISTING WITH EVENT REGISTRATION, STAFFING AID STATIONS, TAKING PHOTOS OR SETTING UP EQUIPMENT. THEIR HARD WORK AND GENEROSITY ARE WHAT MAKE THIS ORGANIZATIONS EFFORTS SO SUCCESSFUL.RESULTS: OVERSEEN BY OUR SKILLED STAFF, OVER 7,400 VOLUNTEER HOURS WERE SPENT ON OVER 52 WORK PROJECTS INCLUDING ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION, MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE; AND OVER 13 BIG EVENTS LIKE MOONLIGHT ON THE MOUNTAIN, FOUR DAYS DIABLO AND BIOBLITZ.THE DIABLO RESTORATION TEAM (DIRT) COMPLETED 21 WORKDAYS NURTURING FIVE CREEK RESTORATION PROJECTS, INCLUDING 11 SITES SPREAD ACROSS SIX PROPERTIES. WE RESPONDED TO WILDFIRE DAMAGE FROM THE 2018 MARSH FIRE THAT BURNED THREE OF OUR PROPERTIES. WE REPLACED SPLIT RAIL FENCE, REOPENED RESTORATION SITES TO OUR DIRT WORKDAYS, AND REPLACED OUR WATER PUMP SYSTEM, WHICH IS USED TO WATER PLANTING SITES IN THE DRY MONTHS. STEWARDS DESIGNED AND BUILT AN UPGRADED, ECO-FRIENDLY, SOLAR-POWERED WATER PUMP SYSTEM THAT AUTOMATICALLY REFILLS THE WATER TANK AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. WE NO LONGER NEED TO RELY ON GAS-POWERED GENERATORS TO PROVIDE ENOUGH ENERGY TO PUSH THE WATER UPHILL.AMIDST WORKDAY CANCELLATIONS BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE (WHICH IS CAUSING EXTREME HEAT, HAZARDOUS AIR QUALITY, AND HIGH FIRE-DANGER RISKS) AND COVID-19, WE HAVE FOCUSED OUR WORKDAYS ON SAFETY TRAININGS AS WELL AS MORE FIRE ABATEMENT YEAR-ROUND. WE COMPLETED 18 STEWARDSHIP WORKDAYS, INCLUDING EXTRA FIRE ABATEMENT. WE ACCOMPLISHED 12 INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT WORKDAYS TO REMOVE NON-NATIVE AND INVASIVE SPECIES ON OUR PROPERTIES AND MANAGE THE SPREAD OF SUDDEN OAK DEATH.WE FINISHED MAJOR CAPITAL PROJECTS ON SEVERAL OF OUR PROPERTIES. WE REPAIRED THE COMPROMISED ROOF AT WRIGHT CANYON. WE REPLACED THOUSANDS OF FEET OF DEGRADED FENCING WITH WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY FENCING AT CURRY CANYON RANCH, MANGINI RANCH, AND ANDERSON RANCH.ALL PLANNED IMPROVEMENTS WERE FINALLY COMPLETED AT THE CURRY CANYON RANCH FIELD STATION, INCLUDING A DECK AND PERGOLA FOR SHADE NEXT TO THE CREEK, AND SAFETY FEATURES LIKE HAND RAILING AT STEPS AND RAMPS TO MAJOR ENTRANCES INTO THE FIELD STATION.WE HOSTED A COASTAL CLEANUP WORKDAY IN KIRKER CREEK. STUDENTS FROM PITTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS REMOVED ALL SORTS OF TRASH, FINDING MOSTLY MICRO-SIZED TRASH THIS YEAR. IN TOTAL, 507 PLASTIC PIECES SMALLER THAN 2.5 CM WERE REMOVED; 165 PLASTIC BAGS AND 160 CIGARETTE BUTTS WERE ALSO TAKEN OUT.RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECTSWITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EAST CONTRA COSTA HABITAT CONSERVANCY, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS CONTINUED A RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE IRISH CREEK CORRIDOR, DOWNSTREAM FROM THE IRISH CANYON PLANTING SITES. VALLEY OAK ACORNS AND BUCKEYE NUTS WERE COLLECTED AND OVER 140 PLANTINGS WERE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED ACROSS 5 PLANTING AREAS. IN ADDITION, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B (CONTINUED) EDUCATION & RECREATION (CONTINUED):DR. MARY BOWERMAN SCIENCE & RESEARCH PROGRAMTHE DR. MARY BOWERMAN SCIENCE AND RESEARCH PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS FOR RESEARCH PROJECTS ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROPERTIES AND THE NETWORK OF PROTECTED LANDS IN THE DIABLO RANGE. IN 2019, SEVEN GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO RESEARCHERS FROM ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AROUND THE BAY AREA. ALL OF THE STUDIES WILL ENHANCE THE ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIABLO REGION AND INFORM CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.CONSERVATION COLLABORATION AGREEMENT PROGRAM SAVE MOUNT DIABLO STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED FOUR CONSERVATION COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES IN 2019-2020. THE FIRST AGREEMENT WAS WITH CAMPOLINDO HIGH SCHOOL (SPONSORED BY COMPASS REALTY), THE SECOND WAS WITH PITTSBURG HIGH SCHOOL (SPONSORED BY MOUNT DIABLO RESOURCE AND RECOVERY), THE THIRD WAS WITH ANTIOCH HIGH SCHOOL (SPONSORED BY DIAMOND CONSTRUCTION) AND THE FOURTH WAS WITH JOAQUIN MORAGA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL (SPONSORED BY BEDELL FRAZIER). WITH ALL AGREEMENTS, STUDENTS, INSTRUCTORS, AND SPONSORING BUSINESS EMPLOYEES ALIKE RECEIVED IN-CLASS/IN-OFFICE EDUCATIONAL INSTRUCTION IN LAND CONSERVATION AND THEN HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN HANDS ON OUTDOOR FIELD EXPERIENCES ALL FOUR TOOK PART IN IDENTIFYING AND PULLING INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES AT MARSH CREEK 8 (ALSO KNOWN AS BIG BEND), A SAVE MOUNT DIABLO OWNED PROPERTY. AFTER THE SERVICE PROJECTS, STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES WENT ON INTERPRETIVE NATURE HIKES. FOLLOWING THE HIKES, PARTICIPANTS DID CONTEMPLATIVE SOLOS IN NATURE WITH JOURNALING EXERCISES REFLECTING ON THE MEANING OF NATURE AND THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN IT. A TOTAL OF 150 STUDENTS AND SPONSORING BUSINESS EMPLOYEES PARTIICPATED IN THE FOUR AGREEMENTS.DIABLO TRAILS CHALLENGESAVE MOUNT DIABLO AND BRAZEN RACING PARTNERED AGAIN TO HOST A 50K, HALF MARATHON, 10K AND 5K. MORE THAN 1,000 PEOPLE ENJOYED A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT ON THE TRAILS.FOUR DAYS DIABLO14 PARTICIPANTS ENJOYED LEARNING MORE ABOUT MOUNT DIABLOS TREASURES WHILE HIKING AND CAMPING ALONG THE DIABLO TRAIL. DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS SET UP THE CAMPSITES AND LOCAL RESTAURANTSINCLUDING PRIMA RISTORANTE, ESIN RESTAURANT AND SUNRISE BISTRO & CATERINGPREPARED DELICIOUS MEALS FOR THE ADVENTURERS. MOUNT DIABLO CHALLENGENOW IN ITS 38TH YEAR, THIS EVENT IS NOW HOSTED BY THE VALLEY SPOKESMEN. OVER 520 CYCLISTS RODE 11.2 MILES, CLIMBING 3,249 FEET IN ELEVATION, TO THE SUMMIT OF DIABLO. THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THE NATHAN M. OHRBACH FOUNDATION, SMD ADDED 145 NEW AND RENEWED MEMBERS TO OUR ORGANIZATION FROM THIS EVENT. "DISCOVER DIABLO" HIKES313 HIKERS ATTENDED 17 FREE PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL HIKE OUTINGS ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROPERTIES AND COLLABORATING AGENCIES LAND. STAFF AND VOLUNTEER HIKE LEADERS HOSTED THIS SERIES AS PART OF SAVE MOUNT DIABLOS DISCOVER DIABLO PROGRAM SPONSORED BY MARTINEZ REFINING COMPANY. EDUCATION & OUTREACH EFFORTSSTAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TABLED AT 9 EVENTS AND PARTICIPATED IN NUMEROUS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS ACROSS 8 CITIES IN THE BAY AREA. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C (CONTINUED) LAND ACQUISITION (CONTINUED):SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ALSO SECURED A PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR THE STRATEGIC 28.73 ACRE SMITH CANYON IN THE MORGAN TERRITORY AREA, CONTIGUOUS WITH OTHER CONSERVED SAVE MOUNT DIABLO LANDS. FURTHER, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ADVANCED OTHER LAND ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES IN AND AROUND THE MT DIABLO AREA.THIS FISCAL YEAR WAS A YEAR OF ENHANCING HOW WE MANAGE OUR PROPERTIES WHILE CONTINUING LONG-TERM, COMPLEX NEGOTIATIONS TO PROTECT SEVERAL VERY HIGH-PRIORITY AREAS OF LAND.FOR DECADES, SMD WAS ABLE TO BUY PROPERTIES AND THEN QUICKLY TRANSFER THEM TO A PUBLIC PARK AGENCY. THAT MODEL KEPT OUR LAND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES VERY LIMITED, AND THE PROJECTS WE UNDERTOOK WERE MAINLY FOCUSED ON TRASH REMOVAL, FIRE ABATEMENT, AND SOME RESTORATION WORK.ABOUT A DECADE AGO, THE TRANSFER TIME STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. IN PART, THE SLOWDOWN IN TRANSFER TIME WAS BECAUSE CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS STOPPED ACQUIRING NEW LAND IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON MAINTAINING THE PARKS IT ALREADY OWNED.IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 15 YEARS SINCE A PROPERTY WAS ADDED TO MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK, SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO CHANGE. HOWEVER, AS OUR AMBITIONS ABOUT PRESERVING THE DIABLO WILD LANDS GREW, WE BEGAN TO BUY MORE LAND FURTHER AWAY FROM EXISTING PARKS WITH A STRATEGY TO CONNECT THEM IN THE FUTURE. WE CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE COMPLEX PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS, THE FRUITS OF WHICH WILL BE BROUGHT TO BEAR IN THE COMING YEAR. OUR PARTNERS, ESPECIALLY THE EAST CONTRA COSTA HABITAT CONSERVANCY AND EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT, HAVE CONTINUED THE WORK TO ENCIRCLE THE MARSH CREEK AND MORGAN TERRITORY AREAS IN OPEN SPACE AND PLACE CRITICAL PROTECTIONS OVER ESSENTIAL HABITAT CORRIDORS. WE MEET WITH LANDOWNERS AND DEVELOPERS ALIKE TO PUSH FOR HIGH-QUALITY MITIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NEW DEVELOPMENTS. WE COORDINATE CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS ON STRATEGIC ADDITIONS TO THE OVERALL NETWORK OF PRESERVED LANDS ON AND AROUND MOUNT DIABLO. AS PART OF OUR FOREVER WILD CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, WE ARE WORKING TO RAISE ACQUISITION FUNDS TO ENSURE WE ARE READY AND ABLE TO ACT ON TRANSACTIONS QUICKLY. FOR NOW, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE LAND CONSERVATION.