"The John Muir Land Trust announced plans to acquire the Wagner Ranch Nature Area in Orinda in the hopes of turning it into a community spot and educational center, the trust said this week. The 16-acre parcel is next to Wagner Ranch Elementary School, and the trust said the land could become an outdoor classroom for children. The acquisition is not yet final, and a "due diligence period of several weeks comes next," the trust said in a news release Tuesday."
"According to the trust, the site has been closed to the public since 2023 due to vegetation debris and unstable trees, as well as structures that are safety hazards. Work will include removing the structures, building fences and paths, fire mitigation, and pruning. On Monday, the Orinda Union School District board, which owns the property, approved transferring the title over to the John Muir Land Trust."
John Muir Land Trust aims to acquire the 16-acre Wagner Ranch Nature Area in Orinda to create a community space and outdoor educational center next to Wagner Ranch Elementary School. A due diligence period and full property assessment will precede a final acquisition. The site is envisioned as an outdoor classroom with restored habitat, trails, and programs modeled on Pacheco Marsh. The trust will seek mostly private donations to fund extensive restoration and maintenance focused on habitat protection. The property has been closed since 2023 for vegetation debris, unstable trees, and hazardous structures; planned work includes structural removal, fencing, paths, fire mitigation, and pruning. The Orinda Union School District approved title transfer and a $1.5 million grant will cover fair market value.
Read at The Mercury News
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