Wagner Ranch
"For decades, Wagner Ranch was where local kids learned to love the outdoors. They found salamanders under overturned logs, learned the names of native plants, and watched how everything connects. Now a whole generation is missing out. We can change that."
A Beloved Outdoor Classroom
In the late 1960s, a unique idea took root in Orinda: keep part of the land next to Wagner Ranch Elementary in its natural state as a living outdoor classroom. Volunteers, teachers, and students transformed this forested hillside into a cherished nature area.
For decades, thousands of children learned about creeks, wildlife, plants, and the changing seasons under the oak canopy. Wagner Ranch Nature Area became a rite of passage for local students and a treasured memory for families.
The Challenge We Face
Today, the gates to Wagner ranch are closed. Severe storms in 2022–2023 damaged trails and toppled trees, revealing deep safety hazards that forced the shutdown of this beloved community resource. Yet the dream of reopening Wagner Ranch has never been stronger.
John Muir Land Trust (JMLT) is leading a community effort to restore the Nature Area and bring it back to life. The goal: raise $5 million for planning, design, and buildout so the site can be reopened as a safe, vibrant park and outdoor classroom once again.
Wagner Ranch Campaign Roadmap
Wagner Ranch Nature Area will be restored in phases, each bringing us closer to a fully accessible outdoor education area.
Phase 1: Secure the Property - ✅ Completed
Ownership successfully transferred from Orinda Union School District to John Muir Land Trust in December 2025. Wagner Ranch is now protected forever.
Phase 2: Launch the Campaign - In progress
This is where you come in. Your early support provides momentum and demonstrates community backing to other potential donors.
Phase 3: Community Design - Spring 2026
Professional surveys, three public meetings, and collaborative design process ensuring Wagner Ranch reflects community needs.
Phase 4: Engineering and Permits - Fall 2026
Translate design into detailed construction documents and secure all necessary permits and approvals.
Phase 5: Build - when funded
The moment we've been waiting for—boots on the ground, transforming plans into reality.
Phase 6: Grand Opening - after build
Wagner Ranch reopens! Families return, children explore, educational programs resume—a shared accomplishment.
What You're Helping to Create
Why Natural Places Matter More Than Ever
Healing in an Age of Anxiety
In a digital age marked by rising stress and anxiety among youth, safe and convenient places to explore the outdoors are essential. Time in nature improves mental health, strengthens learning, and nurtures creativity. The reopening of Wagner Ranch will give thousands of students a place to breathe deeply, observe wildlife, and build confidence in the natural world.
Supporting Critical Ecosystems
Well-maintained natural areas like Wagner Ranch provide essential habitat for native wildlife while helping to mitigate fire risk and protect water quality.
Located near residential neighborhoods, this restored nature area will serve as a crucial buffer and corridor for the diverse species that call the East Bay home.
Help Us Restore This Community Treasure
With your support, Wagner Ranch Nature Area will once again be a place where curious young minds discover the restorative power of nature and learn about our deep connection to the natural world.
News about Wagner Ranch
John Muir Land Trust announces plans to acquire Wagner Ranch Nature Area in Orinda, CA
October 21, 2025
Press Release