Stonehurst

In the mid-1980's a parcel of 150 acres of pastoral land in Alhambra Valley was at risk of being subdivided and developed. Neighbors decided they would form an organization to protect these beloved woods. The Martinez Regional Land Trust – eventually to become the John Muir Land Trust – was incorporated in 1989 to protect this property with a conservation easement. At the same moment in time, three decades ago, far-sighted residents of other Bay Area counties were gathering to do the same, creating a land conservation movement that is in full force today.

The effort to protect the property we now call Stonehurst became the catalyst that created JMLT. Contra Costa County had originally granted the developer the right to build houses on 5-acre lots on the property, but he instead decided to build on 1.5-acre lots, creating 150 acres of open space with the goal of giving development rights back to the county. However, the county voided a scenic easement for the property, thus allowing the landowner to build there. JMLT’s soon-to-be founders were not happy with this decision, and set out to form a land protection organization that could hold the development rights in perpetuity. In 1991, Stonehurst’s developer transferred the rights to the 150 acres of open space to the fledgling land trust, making it our first conservation project.

Today this beautiful area is open to Stonehurst residents and neighbors, who enjoy walking the open space. The land will always be protected, providing recreational opportunities for families and habitat for native wildlife.

Photo: Walt Denson