2018-11-15T09:32:50-08:00 2017-12-31 942769017 DAMORE HAMRIC & SCHNEIDER INC 1515 RIVER PARK DR STE 150 SACRAMENTO CA 958154606 990 2017-01-01 942681735 SAVE MOUNT DIABLO SAVE 9259473535 1901 OLYMPIC BOULEVARD WALNUT CREEK CA 94596 EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 2018-11-15 true RONALD A LEY P00054151 9164812856 2017 2019-02-21 02:37:17Z EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR 1901 OLYMPIC BLVD SUITE 320 WALNUT CREEK CA 94596 6635204 false false X WWW.SAVEMOUNTDIABLO.ORG X 1971 CA SEE SCHEDULE O 13 13 21 1545 393 3314762 3688923 121091 146008 18882 22798 153799 209053 3608534 4066782 11028 8597 0 1317230 1406813 0 736008 1146637 1863119 2474895 3278529 1133639 788253 19440593 20990704 611995 568449 18828598 20422255 Preserve Land on and around Mount Diablo to ensure healthy ecosystems and continued access. false false 884564 LAND ACQUISITION:SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ACQUIRES 95-ACRE ANDERSON RANCH, ENDING FOUR DECADES OF DEVELOPMENT THREATS. SIZE: 95 ACRES | IN A HISTORIC TRANSACTION MARKED BY YEARS OF EFFORT, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PURCHASED THE BEAUTIFUL AND SOUGHT-AFTER ANDERSON RANCH IN MORGAN TERRITORY. (CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 637227 LAND USE PLANNING & STEWARDSHIP:LAND USE PLANNNING: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 30 LAND USE PROJECTS IN 2017. (CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O)STEWARDSHIP:SAVE MOUNT DIABLO CURRENTLY OWNS AND/OR MANAGES 18 PROPERTIESTOTALING 1,980 ACRES.SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ALSO MONITORS PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENTS ON 2 PROPERTIES, TOTALLING 22 ACRES.(CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 462579 EDUCATION & RECREATION:FROM LAND MANAGEMENT PROJECTS TO SUPPORTING OFFICE OPERATIONS, EVENTS, COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND RECREATION, 1,545 VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED OVER 8,000 HOURS OF SERVICE IN 2017.(CONTINUED ON SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE O) 1984370 true true false false 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 false false false true false false false false false false false false true 22 0 true 21 true false false false false false true true true true false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 13 13 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 SCOTT HEIN President 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 AMARA MORRISON Secretary 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 BURT BASSLER Treasurer 4.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 HEATH BARTOSH Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOE CANCIAMILLA Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JOHN GALLAGHER Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 CLAUDIA HEIN Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 SUE OHANIAN Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 BOB MARX Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 MALCOLM SPROUL Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JEFF STONE Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 JIM FELTON Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 LIZ HARVEY Director 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 40.00 0.00 X 147815 0 7254 SETH ADAMS LAND CONSERV. DIR. 40.00 0.00 X 97076 0 15134 MEREDITH HENDRICKS LAND PROG. DIR. 40.00 0.00 X 110139 0 5661 MONICA OEI FINANCE&ADMIN DIR. 40.00 0.00 X 83748 0 11652 DEBORAH WHITE DEVELOPMENT DIR. 40.00 0.00 X 110167 0 15685 548945 55386 3 false true false B&W 1901 OLYMPIC BLVD LLC 1777 OAKLAND BLVD STE 100 WALNUT CREEK CA 94806 OFFICE RENT 146772 1 271380 3417543 243195 3688923 LAND REVENUE & MGMT FEES 900099 11849 11849 MANAGEMENT FEES 900099 2752 2752 PROGRAM EVENTS 900099 131407 131407 146008 23780 23780 0 0 393 393 393 393 2567440 2568422 -982 -982 -982 184430 271380 184430 184430 0 0 OTHER INCOME 900099 24230 24230 24230 4066782 145026 393 232440 0 8597 8597 0 0 155069 63578 38767 52724 0 1251744 501644 429161 320939 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 111359 70030 23151 18178 0 143453 38697 1690 103066 12337 475 163 11699 0 157089 62461 39566 55062 46335 36159 3140 7036 0 0 0 0 88098 83693 4405 39583 30692 3787 5104 ACQUISITION-CONSERVATION LAND 884564 884564 OUTSIDE SERVICES 210715 116662 240 93813 EQUIPMENT/MAINTENANCE/RENTAL 55795 18301 9604 27890 Printing and Publications 54914 27637 520 26757 58877 41180 3957 13740 3278529 1984370 558151 736008 2526348 2962937 0 473550 1281591 70685 16688 0 0 0 0 34554 46095 232654 174613 24758 58041 0 1611370 1492123 0 0 14699328 15133229 19440593 20990704 164069 160484 447926 407965 611995 568449 X 17698123 17730387 1130475 2143348 548520 18828598 20422255 19440593 20990704 X 788253 31696 773708 X false true X true false X 6435384 2696603 2205719 3285286 3575194 18198186 0 0 6435384 2696603 2205719 3285286 3575194 18198186 4975074 13223112 63008 44602 29691 15911 23780 176992 34684 50692 46547 95828 227751 100055 95928 175530 142039 184430 697982 19300911 1177240 0.68510 0.62820 X X X 2 20 1 true 15 588 false 752202 168 752370 -16595 0.00270 0.00730 false false false 213422 155381 58041 19232 19232 58041 1492123 CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST 1020393 CONSERVATION LAND 12976314 CONSERVATION LAND HELD FOR SALE 12300 CONSERVATION LAND STRUCTURES 919778 DEED OF CONSERVATION EASEMENT 3 DEPOSIT 8892 LAND PURCHASE OPTION 195549 15133229 CRT Distribution Payable 407965 407965 4095530 28748 28748 4066782 4066782 3278529 3278529 3278529 Part II, Line 5: Summarized Policy Save Mount Diablo has an SMD Board and Land Trust Alliance 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. 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. 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 455810 271380 184430 455810 271380 184430 184430 true 0 0 MARY BOWERMAN SCIENCE RESEARCH 6 8597 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 false EDWARD SORTWELL CLEMENT JR Executive Dir. 137315 10500 7254 155069 X 8 243195 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 BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW AND RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD APPROVES THE FINAL FILING OF THE FORM 990. 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 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 = $884564 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSET = -$80992 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases LOSS ON SALE OF CONSERVATION LAND = -$26916 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases UNREALIZED LOSS ON CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST = -$2948 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 ACQUISITION (CONTINUED):SAVE MOUNT DIABLO ACQUIRED THE 95 ACRES ON NOVEMBER 28, 2017, FOR $800,000. ANDERSON RANCH HAS RANKED HIGH ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLOS WISH LIST FOR FORTY YEARS BECAUSE OF ITS UNRIVALED VALUE FOR NATIVE PLANTS AND WILDLIFE, ITS CRITICAL LOCATION, AND THE THREAT OF DEVELOPMENT THAT HAD LOOMED OVER IT FOR DECADES. HIGHLY VISIBLE FROM THE MARSH CREEK ROAD SCENIC ROUTE, THE PROPERTY SITS ON A STUNNING PLATEAU IN OUR TOP PRIORITY ACQUISITION AREA AT THE NORTH END OF MORGAN TERRITORY RIDGE, EAST OF CLAYTON AND IN A LOCATION WITH UNUSUAL GEOLOGYSMALL VOLCANIC DOMES. IT IS CLOSE TO TWO OF OUR OTHER PROPERTIES, ALLOWING US TO RECONNECT HABITAT. THE PROPERTY IS ONE OF THE RARE PLACES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY OUTSIDE OF THE URBAN LIMIT LINE WHERE A SIGNIFICANT MAJOR SUBDIVISION WAS STILL BEING CONSIDERED, AS IT HAD INCLUDED AN APPROVED 40-UNIT SUBDIVISION. RECENTLY, IT HAD BECOME MUCH MORE VISIBLE TO POTENTIAL BUYERS DUE TO NEWLY OPENED TEMPORARY ACCESS FROM THE MORGAN TERRITORY ROAD CLOSING. FORTUNATELY, SAVE MOUNT DIABLOS PURCHASE OF THE PROPERTY WILL END THAT LARGE-SCALE DEVELOPMENT THREAT FOREVER.SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROTECTS 17-ACRE MARSH CREEK 2 WITH CONSERVATION EASEMENTSIZE: 17 ACRES | WE SOLD 17-ACRE MARSH CREEK 2, LOCATED AT 12271 MARSH CREEK ROAD, TO PRIVATE BUYERS IN THE SPRING AS A PART OF OUR EXPANDED CONSERVATION BUYER PROGRAM. THE MAJORITY OF THE PROPERTY IS NOW PROTECTED BY A PERPETUAL CONSERVATION EASEMENT HELD BY SAVE MOUNT DIABLO AND HAS A ONE-ACRE BUILDING ENVELOPE THAT ALLOWS THE NEW OWNERS TO BUILD A HOME. CONNECTED TO ANOTHER SMD-OWNED PROPERTY BY A SEVEN-FOOT TALL CATTLE TUNNEL ESSENTIAL TO WILDLIFE MOVEMENT UNDER THE ROAD, IT HAS OUTSTANDING VIEWS OF MOUNT DIABLO. IT IS CONSIDERED PART OF DARK CANYON WITH IMPORTANT HABITAT CONNECTIVITY TO MARSH CREEK AND BLUE OAK WOODLAND TRAILING UP THE FLANKS OF THE HILLS. THE PROPERTY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE PART OF ANY FUTURE TRAIL SYSTEM ALONG THE MARSH CREEK CORRIDOR, AND TO CONNECT TO EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICTS CLAYTON RANCH AND BLACK DIAMOND MINES REGIONAL PRESERVE TO THE NORTH AND TO MOUNT DIABLO STATE PARK TO THE SOUTH. SAVE MOUNT DIABLO RESERVED TRAIL RIGHTS ON THE PROPERTY SO AS NOT TO LOSE FUTURE CONNECTIVITY. WE ARE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH THE NEW OWNERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THIS PROPERTY FOR YEARS TO COME. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4B (CONTINUED) LAND USE PLANNING (CONTINUED): UPDATESWE CONTINUED TO RESPOND TO UPDATES OF THE ANTIOCH GENERAL PLAN, WHICH LED TO THE UPDATE BEING TABLED. CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION REUSE PLANWE SET GOALS TO ACHIEVE IN THE FORTHCOMING SPECIFIC PLAN FOR THE PROJECT AND MADE SURE THE PLAN CONTINUES TO BUILD ON PAST VICTORIES.ANTIOCHWE HELPED LAUNCH A FORMAL COALITION IN ANTIOCH FOCUSED ON PROTECTING THE SAND CREEK FOCUS AREA, WHICH HAS THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF BEAUTIFUL HILLS, CREEK AND WILDLIFE HABITAT IN SOUTH ANTIOCH. COALITIONSWE CONTINUED COALITION WORK IN RESPONSE TO ONGOING EFFORTS AT THE CONCORD NAVAL WEAPONS STATION AND STRENGTHENED OUR COALITION IN ANTIOCH FOR A 2018 CAMPAIGN. URBAN LIMIT LINESWE CONTINUED TO WATCH FOR THREATS TO THE URBAN LIMIT LINE (ULL) AND SET A GOAL TO MAKE THE ULL PERMANENT (ONLY CHANGEABLE BY A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE) IN ANTIOCH. LEGAL REVIEWWE SPONSORED LEGAL REVIEW OF THE ANTIOCH GENERAL PLAN UPDATE WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THAT UPDATE BEING POSTPONED.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: VOLUNTEERSA DEDICATED AND TALENTED VOLUNTEER POOLSUPPORTED LAND MANAGEMENT AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. 33 PROPERTY MONITORS, 26 WORK PROJECT STEWARDS, AND 28 HIKE LEADERS COMPLETED 4,754 HOURS OVER 67 WORK PROJECTS AND 24 HIKES.BIOBLITZSAVE MOUNT DIABLO HOSTED ITS TENTH ANNUALBIOBLITZ IN MARSH CREEK STATE HISTORIC PARK AND MARSH CREEK RESERVOIR. WITH THE HELP OF SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS, NATURALISTS, AND ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEERS, WE RECORDED 348 TOTAL SPECIES.NON-NATIVE REMOVAL24 WORKDAYS WERE ORGANIZED TO TREAT NON-NATIVE, INVASIVE SPECIES ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROPERTIES USING AN INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT APPROACH.RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECTSWITH THE SUPPORT OF THE EAST CONTRA COSTA HABITAT CONSERVANCY, SAVE MOUNT DIABLO STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS BROKE GROUND ON A NEW RIPARIAN RESTORATION PROJECT IN THE IRISH CREEK CORRIDOR, DOWNSTREAM FROM THE IRISH CANYON PLANTING SITES. VALLEY OAK ACORNS AND BUCKEYE NUTS WERE COLLECTED AND 140 TOTAL PLANTING SITES WERE ESTABLISHED ACROSS 5 PLANTING AREAS. WE ALSO CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN THREE OTHER RESTORATION SITES ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROPERTIES ALONG MARSH CREEK AND SECURED A GRANT FROM THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMITTEE TO INITIATE AN ADDITIONAL RESTORATION PROJECT ON MARSH CREEK 7.DEBRIS REMOVALCLEANUP EFFORTS CONTINUED ON CURRY CANYON RANCH, MANGINI RANCH, MARSH CREEK, AND KIRKER CREEK. CONTRACTORS REMOVED A LARGE, FAILED CONCRETE CULVERT FROM GALINDO CREEK ON MANGINI RANCH AND REMOVED A MODULAR HOME FROM MARSH CREEK 7. SAVE MOUNT DIABLO HOSTED AN ANNUAL CALIFORNIA COASTAL CLEANUP EVENT REMOVING OVER 150 POUNDS OF TRASH FROM THE BANKS OF KIRKER CREEK.MAPS AND TRAILSWE CONVENED AN INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP TO UPDATE SAVE MOUNT DIABLOS REGIONAL TRAIL MAP RESULTING IN A REPRINT OF THE WATER-PROOF, TEAR-PROOF MAP POPULAR WITH HIKERS, BIKERS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL KINDS. THE REPRINT WAS SUPPORTED BY FREMONT BANK AND OVER 1,000 COPIES WERE GIVEN AWAY FREE OF CHARGE.EDUCATION & OUTREACH EFFORTSSTAFF AND VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN 35 TABLING AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS ACROSS 13 CITIES IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY. FORM 990, PART III, LINE 4C (CONTINUED) EDUCATION & RESEARCH (CONTINUED):VOLUNTEERSOUR VOLUNTEERS ARE THE HEROES AND HEROINES OF LAND PRESERVATION. THEY MAKE OUR EVENTS POSSIBLE, WHETHER IT BE BY 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.(TO ALL OF THOSE WHO SHARED THEIR ENTHUSIASM FOR THE DIABLO WILD LANDS AND VOLUNTEERED IN 2017, YOU HELP MAKE OUR RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION!)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 2017, FOUR GRANTS WERE AWARDED TO RESEARCHERS FROM UC BERKELEY, UC DAVIS, SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY, AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BIRD OBSERVATORY. ALL OF THE STUDIES WILL ENHANCE THE ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE DIABLO REGION AND INFORM CONSERVATION AND LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.CONSERVATION COLLABORATION AGREEMENTSAVE MOUNT DIABLO STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS COMPLETED TWO CONSERVATION COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS IN 2017. WE ENGAGED DIABLO REGION BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN BOTH AGREEMENTS, ILLUSTRATING A DEDICATION TO LAND PRESERVATION AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FROM LOCAL ECONOMIC DRIVERS. THE FIRST AGREEMENT WAS WITH CSU EAST BAY CONCORD AND MOUNT DIABLO RESOURCE RECOVERY, A GARAVENTA COMPANY. THE SECOND WAS WITH THE EARTH CLASS AND ECO CLUB FROM JOAQUIN MORAGA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL AND BEDELL FRAZIER INVESTMENT COUNSELLING, LLC. WITH BOTH AGREEMENTS, STUDENTS, INSTRUCTORS, AND EMPLOYEES ALIKE GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN HANDS ON LAND STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES THE FIRST WITH A DEBRIS CLEANUP PROJECT ON SMD'S LOT 25 PROPERTY AND THE SECOND A BUNCHGRASS PLANTING PROJECT ON MANGINI RANCH. AFTER THE SERVICE PROJECTS, STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATED IN A CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNALING EXERCISE ON THE PROPERTIES, REFLECTING ON THE MEANING OF NATURE AND THEIR RESPECTIVE ROLES IN IT.DIABLO TRAILS CHALLENGESAVE MOUNT DIABLO AND BRAZEN RACING PARTNERED AGAIN TO HOST A 50K, HALF MARATHON, 10K AND 5K. MORE THAN 1,045 PEOPLE ENJOYED A BEAUTIFUL DAY OUT ON THE TRAILS.FOUR DAYS DIABLO22 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 POSTINO, FORBES MILL STEAKHOUSE AND SUNRISE BISTRO & CATERINGPREPARED DELICIOUS MEALS FOR THE ADVENTURERS.MOUNT DIABLO CHALLENGEFOR THE 36TH YEAR, OVER 450 CYCLISTS RODE 11.2 MILES, CLIMBING 3,249 FEET IN ELEVATION, TO THE SUMMIT OF DIABLO. THE OLDEST RIDER WAS 81 AND THE YOUNGEST JUST 11 YEARS OLD. THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF CA TECHNOLOGIES AND THE NATHAN M. OHRBACH FOUNDATION, SMD ADDED 200 NEW MEMBERS TO OUR ORGANIZATION."DISCOVER DIABLO" HIKES459 HIKERS ATTENDED 24 OUTINGS ON SAVE MOUNT DIABLO PROPERTIES AND COLLABORATING AGENCIES LAND. STAFF AND VOLUNTEER HIKE LEADERS HOSTED THIS SERIES OF FREE PUBLIC HIKES AS PART OF THE NEWLY FORMED DISCOVER DIABLO PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE SHELL MARTINEZ REFINERY.