JMLT recently purchased 44 acres adjacent to Mount Wanda, and part of the John Muir National Historic Site.
If not for this intervention, the quality wildlife habitat would have been developed as residential housing.
Your support helped complete this strategic ridgeline acquisition. Thank you!
JMLT’s purchase of this open space on the Franklin Ridge protects wildlife habitat, and water and air quality, and preserves the historic nature of this former fruit farm.
The acquisition also expands the Mount Wanda open space and an extensive trail system for recreation. Visitors will enjoy stunning views of Briones Regional Park and the Alhambra Hills from the property’s hilltops.
West Hills Farm lies within the Alhambra Creek watershed, and protecting it means that valuable waterways and water quality are also now preserved. Strentzel Creek, named after John Muir’s father-in-law, traverses the land and flows into Alhambra Creek.
Muir often walked the farm’s trails with his two daughters to admire the coast live oak, blue oak, valley oak, and bay trees that grow there, as well as the native shrubs, perennials, grasses and annual wildflowers that punctuate its grassy hillsides.
The property is linked to the Franklin Ridge corridor, which provides varied terrain and unbroken habitat for native wildlife, including the Alameda whipsnake — a federally listed threatened species — plus California red-legged frog and western pond turtle, as well as rich foraging grounds for Cooper’s hawk, white-tailed kite, northern harrier, golden eagles and red-tailed hawk.
The acquisition creates trail systems for hikers, bikers and equestrians, including critical connections to the 550-mile Bay Area Ridge Trail and to nearby JMLT protected lands along the Franklin Ridge corridor.
Under JMLT’s stewardship future generations will now share in the same delights as Muir’s daughters, exploring the property’s unrivaled plant and wildlife.
