Town of Moraga Gives $10,000 To John Muir Land Trust to Preserve Nearby Carr Ranch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Linus Eukel, Executive Director
(925) 228-1130 direct (925) 788-7525 mobile
linus@nulljmlt.org

Hundreds of Lamorinda Residents Have Made Individual Contributions

MORAGA, CA — A Moraga Town Council majority agreed on March 23 to contribute $10,000 to the Campaign to Save Carr Ranch, a stunning 604-acre cattle ranch adjacent to the town’s southern boundary. John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) is raising $7 million to buy the private property from the Carr family, which has owned the land for about a century, and protect it permanently as public open space. Since announcing the campaign last year, JMLT has received hundreds of individual donations from residents of Lamorinda —- the towns of Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda.

“This generous donation from the Town of Moraga is a testament to the importance of Carr Ranch to nearby residents,” said Linus Eukel, Executive Director of John Muir Land Trust. “Carr Ranch offers spectacular views, vital watershed for clean drinking water, and critical habitat for threatened and endangered species.”

“Moraga is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the Bay Area,” said Eukel. “This gift goes toward a significant addition to the protected natural lands that are woven into the fabric of the community. If John Muir Land Trust raises the funds to permanently protect the ranch, it will be a fabulous resource for all, open to the public for hiking, picnics, wildlife viewing, horseback riding and other recreational opportunities.”

The Town is using mitigation fees paid by a developer who illegally cut down a protected buckeye tree. Council members in favor of the donation voiced support for using these funds for a project with such a “pro-environmental” impact.

Situated in the Upper San Leandro watershed, creeks and streams from Carr Ranch drain into the Upper San Leandro Reservoir, a source of clean drinking water to tens of thousands of East Bay families. “In a time of ongoing drought and rapid population growth, this is a rare opportunity to protect high quality Bay Area drinking water at its source,” added Eukel. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) is keenly interested in protecting the property, and is playing a significant role in the campaign to acquire it.

About John Muir Land Trust

John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) protects and cares for open space, ranches, farms, parkland and shoreline in Contra Costa County. In 25 short years, John Muir Land Trust has become one of the leading forces for conservation in northern California. With 2,500 acres under stewardship, many beautiful places in Contra Costa County are permanently preserved for recreation, wildlife habitat and spectacular scenic views. JMLT believes that the vitality of our open spaces is essential to the health of our earth, air, water, native plants and animals – and all of us.

Those interested in making a donation may do so at jmlt.org.