UPDATE: JANUARY 6, 2012 from Jean Berensmeier: Many thanks to all who contributed to this acquisition fund - WE DID IT! We’re over the top!  

The $100,000 match amount was reached with an angel coming through for the final amount needed just as we moved into the Happy New Year.

Background, by Ann Thomas

The final leg of an effort to purchase a critical 22-acre habitat corridor and access trail leading to one of the San Geronimo Valley’s most treasured open space areas is close to reaching its goal. The campaign to acquire the Manzanita Fire Road to the Spiral Circle has until August of this year in which to raise $100,000 needed to close the gap on the $650,000 purchase price.

click on map to enlarge

The Marin County Parks Department this fall secured a year-long option to purchase the site, an undeveloped forest and chaparral habitat surrounded on three sides by the Giacomini Open Space Preserve. (See map). The Department is contributing $100,000 and the State Coastal Conservancy $450,000 toward its purchase. A group that includes the Marin Open Space Trust (MOST), San Geronimo Planning Group and San Geronimo Valley Land Trust is now working to raise the remainder with community contributions.

Habitat values

The Manzanita site supports two rare plants, the Mt. Tamalpais and Bolinas manzanitas, and provides nesting habitat for the northern spotted owl. In addition, the property is an important piece of the San Geronimo Valley watershed, one of the last places along California’s central coast to host a wild Coho salmon population. The purchase would allow the County to continue efforts to reduce the erosion and sedimentation into San Geronimo Creek, which smothers eggs of the endangered Coho. The Manzanita Fire Road is also a key access point to the Gary Giacomini Preserve. Long used by hikers, bicyclists and equestrians alike to reach what is known as the Spiral Circle, the site and road are beloved by Valley residents. As long as the road/trail remains under private ownership, there can be no guarantee of future access.

Development threats

The “Montgomery property,” as it is commonly known, has been subject to multiple development proposals dating from the early 20th century. In the 1980s there were plans for luxury estates as part of the Skye Ranch subdivision. In 1995, the county purchased much of Skye Ranch to create the 1,500-acre Giacomini Preserve, but this remainder parcel was retained by the owner. In recent years the property was proposed to be subdivided. With this purchase, subdivision will be prevented, public access will be assured in perpetuity, and the health of the creek can be restored.

The acquisition is supported by Marin Conservation League, the California Native Plant Society, Marin Horse Council, Bay Area Ridge Trail Council, Marin County Bicycle Coalition, Salmon Protection and Watershed Network, and many others.