Save Mount Diablo

I volunteer for and donate to Save Mount Diablo and get an insider's view into the beautiful unprotected areas in the entire Diablo Range through special land tours and hikes, and talks by park and wildlife experts. I work in SMD's office and see them collaborate with landowners, ranchers, the East Bay Park District, Mt. Diablo State Park, local open space agencies, and other regional land trusts and agencies to protect water, air, views, wildlife and the rest of our natural infrastructure. They continue to fight urban sprawl into the wilderness by promoting smart development, and getting children involved in nature so future generations understand how powerful nature can be in restoring the planet and enhancing quality of life.

I am also a volunteer steward for one of their very small properties in Clayton and am very impressed by the work that that other volunteers like the Trail Dogs and the DIRT team do on a weekly basis to restore trails and native wildlife on the mountain. The volunteers help to make Save Mount Diablo a very efficient and effective organization. SMD is small, smart, well organized, dedicated and fun and a great investment for your time and money. A good way to get involved is to come to Moonlight on the Mountain in September, or sign up for a family hike or a talk with Ted, the executive director. You will not regret it!

I can see Mt. Diablo from my front yard and want to continue to see the pristine mountain w/ as few houses climbing up the foothills as possible. Thanks to Save Mt. Diablo, this will be possible. I have been a member and a volunteer for years and am grateful that they exist.

I have lived in the Mount Diablo area for several years, and it took me a while to learn that Save Mount Diablo even existed, let alone was needed. As it turns out, about half of the mountain ecosystem is still unprotected. I'd hate to see a massive development next to the park, or find a trail that ends at a private fence. Worse still would witness the side of a mountain scraped off for mining, or a pristine meadow used for inappropriate purposes like a landfill (this almost happened! search for round valley near marsh creek). I don't have time to volunteer, but I do enjoy the views of the mountain and occasional hike on Diablo and or drive to the Summit. I want to keep it that way, so I donate every year to this non profit. I have the utmost confidence that they make the best use of my money. They publish an annual report, so I can see that over 90 cents of each dollar goes to buying land. I learn which land was acquired, how it is being restored, and why it is important. There are special invite only hikes to explore new park land. Also, Save Mount Diablo doesn't waste paper, my time, or their time, by sending me a bunch of unnecessary mailings, begging for more money. They keep me connected without being inundated. I feel good knowing my money is helping save something that we can all enjoy. I hope you consider donating as well.

My husband and I had the chance to join SMD on its 4-Day Diablo spring trek last year. It was among the most enjoyable 4 days of our lives--seeing so many corners of the diverse and beautiful land they have worked so hard to preserve. Staffmembers, volunteers and Board Members are hard working and knowledgeable. Their tremendous sense of mission and fun is truly inspiring; they have an espirit de corp that has to be experienced to be believed. I don't know when I have seen so much talent woven together into a cohesive whole. Count us in as life-long members! Nancy Dakin Woltering

My family came here in 1965 and since then Mount Diablo has been the landmark to which we are awed my God's creation and majesty as He created it. Even now as I look out my window I am so blessed to see this purple mountain's majesty of of our town in our beautiful nation. Growing up I enjoyed hiking and biking all over, picnics with family, friends, school and my son's Boy Scout's group. I pray that we save this amazing landscape and preserve it as it was origianlly intended and for all the families who treasure it here now and to come in future generations. Your perserverance in this organization is very much appreciated! Thank you!

i would like to be honest..i'am not a volunteer because i'am not from USA, i live in Tunisia ,however, i want to write...i have the pleasure of being fan of save mount diablo, it's a great organisation and i would like to thank all the staff and volunteers especialy my best friend Beryl Anderson who told me about SMD and she explained to me many concepts :))

Love Save Mount Diablo! They keep us up to date on all the important information regarding Mount Diablo and the surrounding hills. They always are quick to jump on a deal that saves land for future generations and the animals that live there. I appreciate their work so much.

I thought … What could be better than donating to a local non-profit organization? Especially Save Mount Diablo, which in its short life (41 years) has accomplished more than any other group in its mission to “preserve, defend, and restore” land on Mount Diablo and its foothills.

Now I know. What’s even better is attending SMD events such as bird watching, exploring archaeological sites, discovering native plants, and studying geological formations. There are camping, hiking, cycling, running, and horseback riding events too. Also work parties for trail maintenance and habitat restoration.

Get involved. Supporting natural and wild habitats for people, animals, and plants is a BIG job. There’s plenty of opportunities to help, in the office and on the mountain.

Dedicated folks, worthy goals, and significant local impact. What could be better!

I had been a member of and donor to Save Mount Diablo for years, when in December 2009 having been retired for a few years, I decided to join a work party one Saturday. That day volunteers were planting native plants at a site along Marsh Creek in order to restore the creekside and native habitat with the aim of creating a safe wildlife corridor. After spending that day out in the country, away from congestion and noise, in the fresh air, with the sun at my back, in the company of congenial people, digging in the dirt, I was hooked. I am now a member of the Save Mount Diablo volunteer crew known as DiRT (Diablo Restoration Team), planting native plants, trees and grasses at three different sites, weeding and watering them as needed. DiRT is only one of many volunteer opportunities Save Mount Diablo offers. This particular activity allows me to make a contribution to the community I live in while indulging my love of the out of doors. I've learned so much working with SMD staff and volunteers about local wildlife and their habitat, about educating the public about the importance of preserving green space and about organizing to protect important natural and wildlife assets. I enjoy being able to combine my love of the out of doors with this important volunteer activity and have made some great new friends in the process. I can highly recommend this organization for its effective use of volunteers, for its successful and ongoing educational, preservation and advocacy activities, and for the sheer fun of working with SMD staff and volunteers.

I learned of Save Mount Diablo through the Trail Challenge and later as a volunteer. To me their efforts to preserve the mountain for the critters that live there and the folks who enjoy communicating with them are monumental. They obviously are passionate about the mountain. Walk hike, run on the mountain to see what I mean.

Save Mount Diablo's passion for the land was obvious to me when I picked up a copy of their newsletter, Diablo Watch, about 15 years ago. I became involved as a volunteer at that time and have continued ever since. The group has created and nurtured a large pool of volunteers from the community--always a telling barometer of community support. Their fund raising is legendary, and their support from the local business community equally impressive. They have been involved in preserving literally thousands of acres of precious land on and around Mount Diablo. Their staff is dedicated and engaged in their mission.

I always wondered what the Bay Area looked like before cattle and development arrived. Through Save Mt. Diablo I have gained a fascinating insight into the natural history of this area: In my case by removing non-native plants and restoring native species particularly along Marsh Creek. Birds, bugs, reptiles, amphibians and mammals all benefit from the restored habitats. The work is satisfying and enlightening even when it's just weeding. Meeting similarly interested people in some of the more pristine habitats of our area and hearing their knowledge and experience makes for a great day.

I wanted to find a nonprofit that was close to home, would have a direct impact on our area, and was a worthy cause. I found Save Mount Diablo through this site and was so impressed with the immense amount of work they accomplish every year: land acquisition, educational hikes, land restoration, fundraising events (hike, bike and horse races, a silent auction, etc) and more. The vast number of programs made it easy for me to find a place as a volunteer. I chose to work with promoting the Diablo Trails Challenge 50k, and administering donations for the Moonlight on the Mountain gala. The staff here is extremely welcoming. They all knew my name after my first day. I have comfortable office space to work at, or I can choose to work from home on certain tasks. I can choose when I work, weekday or weekend, and if I work alone or with a partner or committee. Finally, I really feel like I am making a difference. I didn't realize that 40 years ago there were only 7,000 acres protected. Now there are 100,000 spread throughout 38 parks, but there are still 80,000 more unprotected acres.

Save Mount Diablo acquires, protects and restores land on Mount Diablo. I learned about them through Diablo Trails Challenge which one of their events promoting recreation and the value of Mount Diablo. At the event I learned that half of the mountain is at risk of being lost to development (not yet part of the State Park or regional parks). They had an event on one of their properties to help restore the habitat around Marsh Creek. It was beautiful and I had a great time. Its really amazing how much getting your hands dirty can connect you to nature and help you feel the value of what you're doing! I know they have a lot of opportunities for volunteers so if planting and weeding isn't your thing there are still plenty of ways you can help. They are fun and genuine people!