John Muir Land Trust: Protecting the East Bay

John Muir Land Trust (“JMLT”) is a conservation organization that has been playing a considerable role in protecting the beauty of the East Bay by purchasing open space and protecting it. Their portfolio is comprised of 17 different properties in Contra Costa County, totaling well over 3,500 acres. To buy the land, they initiate public funding drives and often find sellers who want to protect the land and are willing to sell at a discount. This is fantastic work they are doing to protect our East Bay open spaces.

John Muir Land Trust protected properties in the East Bay.

In Moraga, JMLT has invested in Painted Rock and Harvey Ranch properties. Both locations are stunningly beautiful, and residents appreciate JMLT’s investment in our local community. Protecting our hillsides and ridges is an ongoing stated goal of the Town of Moraga, and JMLT, via their acquisitions, aids this goal significantly by preserving the land and eliminating the possibility of future expensive developer battles over the use of the land. The Town of Moraga recognizes this and contributed $250,000 to the most recent purchase of Harvey Ranch, a beautiful area behind St Marys College.

Harvey Ranch in Moraga

Painted Rock is a popular spot with teenagers in Moraga. It got its name from high school kids painting on the exposed rock. But, with the painting comes waste…lots of garbage.

After JMLT purchased the land, Clean Up Moraga! went up there and cleaned it up. What we found was disappointing. Over 700 spray paint cans rusting away, spread across the hillside, and choking storm drains. Brushes, rollers, paint tits, bottles/cans, and assorted other litter were all over the ground, in addition to substantial paint chunks that had broken off of the rocks after years of accumulation. Over 1,000 lbs later, the land is clean, and JMLT put in measures to eliminate car traffic on the ridge, which has dramatically cut down on litter, leaving this property easy to keep clean.

Paint cans lining all of the storm drains and who knows how many made their way into the creek system over the years.

We are very thankful for JMLT’s efforts throughout Contra Costa County and look forward to supporting them in any way we can. Please take a look at their work, and I hope you will appreciate, as we do, what a tremendous asset they are in their efforts to keep East Bay Beautiful!