Free admission for all California fourth graders and teachers through Aug. 31, 2024

Get your pass now and start exploring the outdoors for free!

The California State Parks, in partnership with First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and the California Natural Resources Agency, is expanding its popular California State Park Adventure Pass from 19 select state parks to 54. The pilot program, currently in its third year, allows California fourth graders and fourth-grade teachers free admission to participating parks until Aug. 31, 2024. The public can find a park near them at parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass.

The Adventure Pass is one part of the First Partner’s California for All Kids initiative, which seeks to put children and families on a path to a healthier future. 

“We launched the California State Park Adventure Pass in 2021 to provide fourth graders and their families with more opportunities to reap the mental, physical, and social-emotional health benefits of time spent outdoors,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “Now, we’re expanding the Adventure Pass– nearly tripling the number of gorgeous California State Parks and historic sites fourth graders are able to visit and increasing their access to valuable hands-on, experiential learning opportunities in the process. By growing this program, we’re doubling down on our commitment to ensure California kids have access to the resources they need to get the best start in life.”

The California State Park Adventure Pass program, made possible by Assembly Bill 148, was signed by Governor Newsom in July 2021. The pass is valid for the one-year period during which the child is a fourth grader or fourth grade equivalent, from September 1 to August 31 of that year. Any fourth grader who lives in California is eligible for the California State Park Adventure Pass, no matter how they attend school or how old they are. If they are a fourth grader or fourth-grade equivalent, they qualify. For full terms and conditions, click here. To date, more than 50,000 passes have been provided to families.

“We are thrilled to expand the California State Park Adventure Pass from 19 to 54 participating state parks, including beaches and historic parks,” said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “The curriculum being taught in fourth grade about history, natural, and social sciences make providing fourth graders with free state park access a great supplement to the lessons being taught to them in school.” 

Obtaining a free pass online is simple. Have a parent and/or guardian go to ReserveCalifornia.com or call (800) 444-7275 (Spanish-speaking customer service available). All they have to do is set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number and email address, and a free pass will be sent to their email right away. Individuals who do not have access to a smartphone, computer or printer, and/or do not have an email address, can still request a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office – click here for a list of locations –  or by calling (800) 444-7275.

“Expanding this Adventure Pass is great news for families across the state and another way our State Parks are expanding outdoor access,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “As the parent of a fourth grader myself, I know how much kids love exploring new places. Now more kids and families will be able to experience a broader range of our natural places across California, helping us achieve the goal of building an Outdoors for All.”

The State of California champions the right of all Californians to have access to recreational opportunities and enjoy the cultural, historic, and natural resources found across the state. Too many Californians cannot access neither public outdoor spaces nor the state’s array of museums, and cultural and historical sites. The state is prioritizing efforts to expand all Californians’ access to parks, open space, nature and cultural amenities. This priority requires focusing funding and programs to expand opportunities to enjoy these places. Doing so advances Governor Gavin Newsom’s strong personal commitment to building a “California for All.”

Outdoors for All Pass Programs

In addition to the California State Park Adventure Pass, all Californians can check out a California State Parks Library Pass by using their library cards to access more than 200 participating state park units. The Library Pass program is also available to tribal libraries throughout the state.

Families receiving California Work Opportunity and Responsibility for Kids (CalWORKs), individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and income-eligible Californians 62 and over can apply for the Golden Bear Pass with their smartphone or other web-based device in just minutes and have access to more than 200 California state park units. The Golden Bear Pass is also available to participants of California’s Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

For more information on all three State Park Pass programs, please visit parks.ca.gov/OutdoorsForAll.

To start exploring 54 state parks for free, visit parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

After a nationwide search, the East Bay Regional Park District announces the appointment of José G. González as its new Equity Officer to lead diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at the public agency. The East Bay Regional Park District’s mission is to preserve a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provide open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities. González begins in the role on December 18, 2023.

As the largest regional park district in the country, the park system spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties and serves an estimated 30 million visitors a year through park and trail access, visitor centers, and programs. Its workforce provides services that encompass 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails.

“We are pleased to share news of this pivotal role and welcome José González to help lead the East Bay Regional Park District to further strengthen its mission and impact and build upon successes as we continue to prioritize a strong, systemic approach to equity both in our workplace and services to the public,” said Sabrina B. Landreth, General Manager at the East Bay Regional Park District.

The new role will work to improve access to and use of the parks’ services for all community members and support inclusive programs, services, and public processes that reflect the tremendous diversity of our community. The position will also lead on programs and activities to help diversify our workforce, eliminate any systemic barriers to employment and promotion, and ensure equitable policies and best practices to make the agency an employer of choice as the District continuously seeks to build and retain a topnotch workforce.

“I am excited to join the East Bay Regional Park District as its inaugural Equity Officer. I look forward to bringing my experience from the local to the national level around equity in the conservation field and community in a way that showcases the opportunity and leadership that the Park District has been developing in this space for all of our community,” said González.

“Equity and inclusion begin from within, so I am thrilled and ready to support and lead the work that the Park District has prioritized for the agency to represent and reflect the diversity of its community,” added González.

González is a professional educator with training in the fields of education and conservation. He is the Founder of Latino Outdoors as well as a consultant at large. As a Partner at the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.

He received his B.A. at the University of California, Davis with teaching coursework at the Bilingual, Multicultural, Education Department at Sacramento State University. He received his M.S. at the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment. He serves as a board member at Parks CA and Resource Media, and as a Commissioner for the California Boating & Waterways Commission, among other leadership volunteer roles.

According to his profile on parkscalifornia.org, González is the Founder and Director Emeritus of Latino Outdoors. He is an experienced educator as a K-12 public education teacher, environmental education advisor, outdoor education instructor and coordinator, and university adjunct faculty. As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on Equity & Inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. He is also an illustrator and science communicator.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

All entrance activity fees waived in East Bay Regional Parks

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, Public Affairs, East Bay Regional Park District

Thursday, November 16, 2023 (Oakland, CA) – Celebrate Green Friday, November 24, with an East Bay Regional Parks FREE Park Day. Green Friday provides healthy and fun ways to enjoy the day after Thanksgiving with family and friends.

On Green Friday, all entrance activity fees are waived in Regional Parks, including parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing, as well as entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm. The fee waiver does not include state fees for fishing licenses and watercraft inspections or concessions, such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round and Redwood Valley Railway steam train.

For the past nine years, the East Bay Regional Park District has celebrated Green Friday to encourage the public to spend time in nature.

Green Friday activities in Regional Parks include:

Hike It Off, 9:00 a.m. – Reinhardt Redwood, Oakland

Fall Scavenger Hunt, 9:00 a.m. – Sunol, Sunol

Green Friday Hike, 10:00 a.m. – Del Valle, Livermore

History Hike ABOVE the Mines!, 10:00 a.m. – Black Diamond Mines, Antioch

Farm Chores for Kids, 10:30 a.m. – Ardenwood, Fremont

Meet The Bunnies, 11:30 a.m. – Ardenwood, Fremont

Stilts, 1:30 p.m. – Ardenwood, Fremont

Woodland Wonderland, 3:30 p.m. – Del Valle, Livermore

For more information about Green Friday, visit www.ebparks.org/green-friday.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Thinking Outside the Box: Leading the Way on Wildfire Protection for the Community

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District

The East Bay Regional Park District held a special briefing and tour at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023, highlighting a first-of-its-kind fuels reduction project (365 acres) in the East Bay hills. The Park District’s wildfire fuels reduction project uses an innovative and climate-friendly carbonator to dispose of vegetation with extremely low emissions, rather than conventional open-pile burning or transporting it long distances in diesel trucks.

In the fall of 2020, while conducting ongoing vegetation management work, Park District staff noticed significant tree die-off in its parks. Further investigation identified over 1,500 acres of tree mortality within Regional Parks, mostly eucalyptus, but also bay and pine. While there are many contributing factors, the overarching cause is believed to be drought-stress due to climate change.

“We were facing a crisis,” said Park District General Manager Sabrina B. Landreth. “I directed staff to assess the situation quickly and come together with a plan of action, including obtaining the necessary funding to begin addressing the die-off.”

The Park District spans Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area and manages 73 parks, 1,330 miles of trails, and over 125,000 acres. The District has its own fire department and fuels management crew.

“As the largest regional park district of its kind in the nation and a local wildfire prevention leader, we knew we needed to lead the way in finding solutions,” added Landreth.

Much of the identified tree die-off was within the Park District’s approved Wildfire Hazard Mitigation and Resource Management Plan, which meant environmental approvals for fuels reduction work were already in place. However, significant funding was needed.

In 2021, shortly after discovery of tree die-off, the District approached state officials for help addressing the situation, and the state responded with a critical $10 million direct appropriation from the legislature through Senator Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, and then-Senator Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont. The total cost estimate to address the tree die-off issue is over $30 million.

 “For a public agency to get a $10 million direct appropriation in the state budget for a specific purpose is extraordinary,” said Landreth.

Groundbreaking, Environmentally Friendly Tool for Fuels Reduction

As efforts to secure funding proceeded, estimates also soared for removal costs and the amount of organic material (biomass) that would need to be disposed of. Adding to the complexity of the situation was the fact that removing so much dead and dying vegetation by traditional means required hauling it in trucks to plants that would burn it for fuel. Transporting the dead trees was cost-prohibitive, disruptive to the residential areas, and potentially dangerous. It would also create greenhouse gases and pollution, causing some of the same environmental factors leading to increasing wildfire risks and perhaps even tree die-off itself.

The innovative solution the Park District found for processing large amounts of biomass was a carbonator. The carbonator machine, a Tigercat 6050, resembles a trucking container with a box-like metal chamber. The device burns organic matter with very little oxygen and at very high temperatures (about 1,300 degrees Fahrenheit), which breaks down the molecules of organic matter into a smaller material called biochar. The process creates extremely low emissions.

The resulting biochar – essentially elemental carbon – provides benefits, such as enriching soil by improving its water retention or pH, accelerating composting of green waste, and filtering toxins from water. The carbonator, having never been used in a metropolitan area for biomass disposal at this scale, was tested as part of an 80-acre pilot project at Anthony Chabot Regional Park in 2022, with the lessons learned being shared with the state and other partner agencies facing similar challenges. When completed in March 2023, the pilot project proved to be a net positive, with only a tiny fraction of emissions compared to open-pile burning or hauling off-site.

“As a large regional park district with a full-time fire department and biologists and ecologists on staff, we can do work that other agencies can’t,” said Park District Fire Chief Aileen Theile.

“The carbonator is another tool for our toolbox to reduce wildfire risks and combat climate change. Going forward, up to half of the biomass removed from parks could be converted into biochar,” said Park District Assistant Fire Chief Khari Helae.

Based on the success of the pilot project, a major fuels reduction project is underway at Anthony Chabot Regional Park on 365 acres and including the use of a carbonator for biomass disposal. The project is using $7.5 million of the $10 million direct appropriation from the state legislature, plus federal funds of $1.5 million secured by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.).

The 365-acre project currently underway at Anthony Chabot Regional Park involves heavy equipment, including a felling team removing trees from the top down and a mastication team thinning vegetation and trees from the ground up. The resulting biochar is being used at the Park District’s Ardenwood Farms in Fremont to enhance soil health, improve water retention, and ultimately increase productivity.

The innovative, strong partnership approach to securing funding, the use of the carbonator in a pilot project and its subsequent use in a large-scale effort to reduce wildfire danger, and our desire to find a sustainable science-based solution in East Bay Regional Parks “is being seen as a model statewide, as well as nationally,” said Landreth.

“By doing this work now, we will gain a more sustainable eco-system in the long-term to benefit generations to come. We are working and planning for both now and the future, and we’re committed to playing the long game,” said Landreth.

The Park District’s leadership team, firefighters, scientists, park rangers, and dedicated staff across departments continue to focus on wildfire mitigation strategies and the innovative, large-scale fuels management program, all while seeking new partnerships and ways to protect the community.

Read the full-length feature article at www.ebparks.org/sites/default/files/carbonator-feature-article.pdf.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Joaquins trains will bring visitors to celebrate site unique to California’s African American history

By David Lipari, San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority

Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is holding a celebratory “re-dedication” event on Saturday, October 14 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In partnership, Amtrak San Joaquins has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at a 50 percent discount rate to bring travelers to the historically significant park.  

The town of Allensworth was established in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth and at one point was home to more than 300 families. The park is a California state treasure because it was the first town in California to be founded, financed, and governed by African Americans. Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park became a historical landmark in 1974.

The re-dedication is one of four major annual events hosted by Friends of Allensworth (FOA), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to support, promote, and advance the educational and interpretive activities at colonel Allensworth State Historic Park. According to FOA, the re-dedication is “presented to renew the commitment of the citizens of California to help the Department of Parks and Recreation preserve the history of the ethnically diverse contributions made in the development of the state of California and our nation.”

The festival will feature historical re-enactments, storytelling, square dancing, food vendors, crafts, and more.

“We are thrilled to partner once again with Amtrak San Joaquins to reconnect Californians with the historic town of Allensworth,” stated FOA President, Sasha Biscoe. “As a cornerstone of California’s rich history, Allensworth deserves to be experienced by all. Amtrak San Joaquins continues to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and enjoyable journey to this significant location. Mark your calendars for October 14th to partake in a day of historical immersion, as we recommit to preserving this invaluable site, all while traveling in the comfort and style that only Amtrak San Joaquins can offer.”

The southbound trains that will be running for the event include trains 702, 710, 712, and 714. When purchasing train tickets, a 50 percent discount will automatically be applied to the ticket purchase. Riders can save an additional 50 percent on up to five companion tickets by using the Friends and Family Discount code (V302). Additional discount programs regularly available to riders includes: 

• Infants under 2 years of age ride for free 
• Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
• Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off 
• Veterans & active military members receive 15% off 
• Disabled riders save 10% off 

Visitors attending the re-dedication will be able to take Amtrak San Joaquins trains to the Allensworth station. From there, riders will be met by a free shuttle for the short ride to the main property. The Allensworth station is normally a whistle stop on the San Joaquins available to be booked by groups desiring to visit the park. 

Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at amtraksanjoaquins.com. For more information on how to book a group trip to Allensworth, please contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), at Carmen@sjjpa.com. 

About Allensworth State Historic Park

The town of Allensworth is located in the heart of the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield, and has a rich history that is of interest to students, families, history buffs, minority community organizations, and anyone else looking to spend a fun day exploring the historic community and its restored buildings. In 1908, Allensworth was established as a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. There were a series of challenges impeding the town’s long-term survival, but it is celebrated as a key historic icon, and in 1974 California State Parks purchased the land in order to maintain it as a site for visitors to learn and explore the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library. 

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com.
Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. 

News from the East Bay Regional Park District

By Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, EBRPD

Wildfire safety is especially important in the fall, when hot, dry Diablo winds blow in from the east, creating potentially dangerous fire conditions. When in parks, be aware of fire warnings and follow all fire safety rules. Report any potential fire hazards immediately and call 911 if you see a fire.

The Park District is a leader in addressing the risks of wildfires and stands ready to fight fires if they occur. Year-round activities include thinning and removing hazardous vegetation from parks, maintaining a professionally trained fire department with specialized wildland firefighting equipment, operating two helicopters with firefighting capabilities, and closely monitoring fire weather conditions.

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Habitat restoration is underway at Briones Regional Park as part of the Park District’s Briones Pilot Project, a two-year project testing various trail management strategies to enhance visitor experience, reduce conflicts, improve trail safety, and protect natural habitat and wildlife. Restoring illegally built “bootleg” trails is a critical component of the project.

Key pilot project strategies include:

1. Four Bike-Only/Downhill-Only Trails – Four trail sections have been designated bike-only and downhill-only due to terrain and user safety.
2. Dedicated Odd/Even Weekend Day Access – On odd-numbered weekend days, bikers and hikers are allowed on designated trails with no horses allowed. On even-numbered weekend days, horses and hikers are allowed on designated trails, with no bikes allowed. Hikers are permitted on all days on most trails in the pilot zone.
3. Bootleg Trail Restoration – Restoration of illegally built “bootleg” trails has begun. Bootleg trails often damage natural habitat for wildlife, including endangered and sensitive species.

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The Park District and the community recently celebrated the completion of a new SF Bay Trail segment and boat launch renovations at Martin Luther King, Jr. Regional Shoreline, which significantly improves safety and access to the shoreline for neighboring communities. The new SF Bay Trail section, located along Doolittle Drivein Oakland, provides safe passage for users, who can now walk, ride, or roll on 2,300 feet of new trail rather than the open shoulder of busy Doolittle Drive.

The project also upgraded the boat launch staging area adjacent to the trail, including a repaved staging area parking lot and renovated ADA-accessible boat, kayak, and paddleboard launch area. The project also restored one acre of marsh habitat.

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Public access improvement and habitat restoration are coming soon to Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont on 300 acres donated to the Regional Parks Foundation and passed through to the Park District to expand Coyote Hills Regional Park.The project restores habitat and provides balanced public access to approximately 200 acres, including seasonal wetlands, grassland, riparian forest, and oak savanna. New visitor facilities include an additional 100-space parking area, picnic tables, restrooms, water fountains, new and improved trails, wildlife overlooks, and educational exhibits and signage. The project is expected to open in 2024.

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Tarantulas are out and about looking for love in Regional Parks. In the fall, you may encounter male tarantulas along the trails as they venture out in search of mates. Although tarantulas can look scary with their large size and furry bodies, they are actually gentle giants and are harmless to humans. The best parks to spot tarantulas at are Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve, Del Valle Regional Park, and Sunol Wilderness Regional Preserve.

The Park District also has a number of naturalist-led programs in October that are focused on tarantulas. For a complete list of programs, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “tarantula.”

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Gain a deeper understanding of the local Indigenous Peoples past, present, and future at the Gathering of Ohlone Peoples on Sunday, October 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Park District falls within the homelands of about 25 tribes of Native peoples, who speak variants of two Ohlone languages (East Bay Costanoan and Karkin) and the Bay Miwok and Delta Yokuts languages. European settlement brought severe disruption, dislocation, and suffering to the Ohlone peoples.

Join Ohlone Peoples from diverse tribal communities as they share their living history through music, song, dance, and stories. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/Gathering-of-Ohlone-Peoples.

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Explore nature at your own pace and in your own way at Big Break Visitor Center’s 2023 All Abilities Day on Tuesday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Travel along paved trails to visit stations to touch fur, listen to birds, draw wildlife, sit on benches to scan the water, or paint the view. The program is inclusive for all abilities, offering something for everyone! American Sign Language and Spanish interpreters on site. Wheelchair accessible. Drop in anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/we-celebrate/all-abilities-day.

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Enjoy “Fall on the Farm” at the Ardenwood Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 14, and Sunday, October 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Enjoy old-time country fun as you help bring in this year’s crop of corn. Outside the field, enjoy seasonal activities, cider pressing, old-time music, and historic crafts. Ride a narrow-gauge train and learn what late 19th-century life was like on a tour of the beautifully restored farmhouse. Please bring a bag if you would like to take home some of your harvested corn. $12/adults, $10/seniors, $8/children ages 4-17, ages 3 and under free. Advance registration is available. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/calendar and search “Harvest Festival.”

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History comes alive with games, activities, and music at the Sunol Heritage Festival on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Sunol Visitor Center. Celebrate the diverse heritage of the Sunol Wilderness at this fun festival for all ages! Free event. Parking is $5. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/sunol-heritage-festival

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Visit Ardenwood’s ‘Haunted Train’ for a frightfully fun nighttime ride through Ardenwood’s haunted forest. The ride is spooky, not scary, and is designed especially for children under 12 and those young at heart. Tickets for this event sell out fast! Fridays and Saturdays from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Beginning October 20) and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 900 p.m. (beginning October 22). $15/person ages 3+. ‘Haunted Train’ is operated by the Railroad Museum at Ardenwood. For more information, visit www.ebparks.org/events/haunted-railroad.

The East Bay Regional Park District is the largest regional park system in the nation, comprising 73 parks, 55 miles of shoreline, and over 1,300 miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and environmental education. The Park District receives more than 25 million visits annually throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Must raise at least $500,000 and hopefully more for the land acquisition project. 

By Laura Kindsvater, Senior Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo

On August 8, three weeks after signing a purchase agreement, Save Mount Diablo closed escrow and acquired the 10-acre “Balcerzak Inholding” property for $1,075,000, including a two-year, interest-only loan to cover half the purchase price. The “Balcerzak Inholding” is a small knoll and steep slopes nestled in an extremely rugged side canyon dropping from Knobcone Point into Curry Canyon, east of the State Park’s Curry Point. It includes a log cabin house and other structures.

“It is a major deal acquiring and protecting one of the few remaining private land inholdings within Mount Diablo State Park.  It is even more significant when you consider the time pressure and competition we had to face when the property was put on the market, and we were working to try and secure what had been an at-risk and beautiful inholding threatening Mount Diablo State Park.  We are already working with our valued agency partners, California State Parks and the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, to get this land added to Mount Diablo State Park as soon as they can. Our terrific donors have also been reaching out to help us,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo Executive Director.

The “Balcerzak Inholding” property was listed on a Monday and the Save Mount Diablo team lined up Board approval, secured a loan, and took other steps to be in the running for this land acquisition opportunity within a few days.

20,000-acre Mt. Diablo State Park has five inholdings—private land surrounded by public land. Inholdings are a unique opportunity for the landowner: isolation, views and spectacular beauty surrounded by nature but with special challenges including fires, floods, wildlife, privacy concerns and public recreational use. From a park agency’s perspective, private properties within parks create management challenges, impact resources and can conflict with recreational use.

The “Balcerzak Inholding” includes a large log cabin house, barns and outbuildings as well as four converging stream canyons and black oaks, blue oaks, chaparral, and fire adapted knobcone pine woodland, near SMD’s 1,080 Curry Canyon Ranch property. Reached three miles up a steep dirt road from Morgan Territory Road near Clayton, as well as several fords of Curry Creek, the property is closer to Blackhawk and Danville. There is not a more isolated house in a more isolated canyon on all of Mt. Diablo.

“Curry Canyon’s side canyons are incredible,” said Seth Adams, SMD’s Land Conservation Director. “We did our due diligence, but we could have practically bought this property sight unseen. We knew from our Curry Canyon Ranch property just how rich the biodiversity is—we’ve recorded over 800 species of wildlife there. There are big rocky sandstone cliffs, knobcone pine forest just above the property and cultural sites nearby.  This inholding has been affecting hundreds of acres of the State Park. We’re reassembling a gorgeous natural landscape.”

The Balcerzak inholding wasn’t originally an inholding. It was part of the 6-lot Mann subdivision. “Backhoe Bob” Balcerzak purchased one of the lots in 1984 and built a large log cabin. In the 1960s Mt. Diablo State Park acquired part of the Blackhawk Ranch and expanded the park east down Curry Canyon from Curry Point and the Knobcone Point ridge. Later, five of the Mann parcels were purchased by the State in 1986 and 1987, completely encircling Balcerzak.  Bob Balcerzak passed away in September 2022 and his wife Barbara Ackerman put the property on the market in June.

Every rural community hopes for a neighbor like “Backhoe Bob” Balcerzak, handy, helpful and with a lot of tools and heavy equipment. For many years Bob Balcerzak helped maintain the fire road up Curry Canyon. But he was also blustering and protective of his property. He actively discouraged hikers on the adjacent public trail which climbed from the bottom of Curry Canyon and dead ended at the neighboring Bertagnolli property. Save Mount Diablo purchased Bertagnolli in 2013 and renamed it “Curry Canyon Ranch.”

Curry Canyon is a special high priority acquisition area for Save Mount Diablo. Diablo’s main peaks have many large canyons, such as Pine Canyon and Mitchell Canyon, most with fire roads and regional staging areas with lots of parking. Visitors love the easy access and shade in stream canyons. The exceptions were Riggs Canyon on Finley Road, where East Bay Regional Park District bought 768-acre Finley Road Ranch in April with Save Mount Diablo’s help, to provide better access.

And Curry Canyon with its “Sloan Road” which dropped east from Curry Point and Rock City. Early promoters billed it as the “Stockton Road’ or east entrance to the mountain, but legal public access wasn’t formally established. Save Mount Diablo and the State have preserved 5/6ths of the canyon and SMD has secured two other access routes. In March Save Mount Diablo also opened to the public a missing piece of the Knobcone Point Trail across its Curry Canyon Ranch property, connecting Curry Point and the Knobcone Point area in the State Park along a ridge east to Riggs Canyon. The bottom of Curry Canyon is still private, but the new Balcerzak acquisition will allow several new trail loops to be opened from the State Park across Curry Canyon Ranch.

But first Save Mount Diablo must raise at least $500,000 and hopefully more for the Balcerzak land acquisition project.  When Balcerzak was listed on the market, SMD was already committed to three other acquisitions, including its Krane Pond land acquisition project, in which it must complete fundraising for the $500,000 project by October, and its North Peak Ranch project near Clayton.  To move fast at Balcerzak, the organization took out a 2-year, interest only loan. As soon as possible within these two years Save Mount Diablo will look to receive funding support from its partner agencies.

Second, there will be a big cleanup effort at Balcerzak.  Although we’ve passed the property many times on the fire road, we only recently got a closer look.  The owners have done quite a bit to get the property ready for the market, but after 40 years there has been a big accumulation of ranch and construction materials. “Our stewardship volunteers love this kind of project,” said Land Programs Director Sean Burke. “We will spend hundreds of hours beautifying and healing this magical canyon.”

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit https://www.savemountdiablo.org .

With more than 60 events at over 40 California State Parks

More activities taking place week of September 2-10

California State Parks invites the public to become community scientists and celebrate California Biodiversity Day, September 7. More than 40 parks statewide will be hosting more than 60 special events and engaging activities all week long from September 2 to 10. The public is also invited to a friendly bioblitz competition to see who can record the highest number of species of plants and animals in California’s State Park System. Humboldt Redwoods State Park currently holds the record of 380 species identified in 2022.

This year marks the fifth annual celebration of California Biodiversity Day since it was first established in 2018. Since then, several executive orders and other actions by the Newsom Administration – such as the Pathways to 30×30 strategy, California’s initiative to conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 – have built on this foundation to understand and protect California’s unique and precious natural resources.

In 2023, the public can choose from a variety of activities like “Perk Up in the Park” where visitors can enjoy a hot beverage and learn about Mount Tamalpais State Park’s unique biodiversity or appreciate birds with an environmental scientist at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, or they can go on self-guided bioblitzes. Using the free iNaturalist app, participants can use their smartphones to record the different species of animals, insects, plants, fungi and more thriving within the parks. The photographs and locations of species captured during the bioblitzes in iNaturalist will help monitor the presence and range of species and contribute to an overall understanding of California’s extraordinary biodiversity.

Below are additional activities taking place throughout the week of September 2 to 10:

• Salton Sea State Recreation Area – During California Biodiversity Week, visitors can go on self-guided bioblitzes and observe as many species as they can to show off the amazing biodiversity the desert has to offer. Download the iNaturalist app, take a picture, and share your findings. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.
• Sue-meg State Park – Participate in a tidepool bioblitz from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 2. Join the interpreters to explore the tidepools at Agate Beach and learn about the plants and animals that live there. Meet at the Agate Beach trailhead at 8 a.m. to hike down to the tidepools with the interpreters or meet them at the tidepools anytime from 8 to 10 a.m. The hike to Agate Beach is approximately half a mile downhill.
• Crystal Cove State Park – Celebrate California Biodiversity Day on September 7 at 9 a.m. with a biodiversity bioblitz hike. Join staff for an easy one-mile hike down Moro Canyon to explore the park’s beautiful backcountry while identifying and documenting animal and plant species using the iNaturalist app. Ages 8 and up are welcome. Wear sturdy hiking shoes, bring water, and dress in layers. No registration necessary. Participants can meet at the Berns Amphitheater in the lower Moro Day Use Area.
• Folsom Lake State Recreation Area – Join staff for a biodiversity themed Junior Ranger program on Saturday, September 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Nimbus Flat and Black Miners Bar Day Use Areas. The event may include a scavenger hunt and introduction to iNaturalist. Get more details on the iNaturalist app.

Past events in celebration of California Biodiversity Day have included a wide range of activities that help the public observe, understand, appreciate, and protect the amazing diversity of life in California’s State Park System. Some favorite activities have included guided nature hikes, birding walks, tide pool tours, nighttime forays, creek sampling and virtual events. The public can find this year’s full list of events at parks.ca.gov/Biodiversity and additional events at California Natural Resources Agency’s Biodiversity Day website.

What will you find during California Biodiversity Week? Observe and record the unique diversity of life within California’s State Park System using the iNaturalist app.

Subscribe to California State Parks News online at parks.ca.gov/newsroom.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.