$1.5 Million State Investment Secures Beloved Orinda Property for Future Generations
ORINDA, CA — Today, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Wagner Ranch Nature Area by John Muir Land Trust, marking a major milestone in efforts to restore and reopen this cherished community resource.
The transfer of the approximately 16-acre parcel from Orinda Union School District to JMLT is now complete. The property, which has been closed to the public since 2023, will be restored as an outdoor classroom and natural exploration space for thousands of local schoolchildren.
"Wagner Ranch Nature Area has been a treasured part of our community for decades, and I'm thrilled that we've been able to preserve it for future generations," said Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan. "By securing $1.5 million in state funding for parks and open space, we ensured the school district received fair market value while protecting this vital natural resource. This is exactly the kind of investment our communities need: preserving open space, providing educational opportunities for our children, and connecting young people with the natural world."
The state grant, arranged by Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan, enabled the Orinda Union School District to transfer the property while receiving appropriate compensation, ensuring a win-win outcome for the district and the community. The City of Orinda also provided financial Stewardship while the agreement was worked out. "The Orinda Union School District is grateful to State Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan for securing $1.5 million in California state funding to preserve the Wagner Ranch Nature Area as a conserved park and open space, and as an invaluable educational and community resource for Orinda Union and surrounding districts. We are excited to use these funds to safely reopen the property, ensure its proper maintenance, and expand programming that will engage students for years to come."
"Wagner Ranch Nature Area represents everything John Muir Land Trust works to achieve: protecting open space, fostering environmental education, and ensuring future generations can experience the natural world," said Linus Eukel, Executive Director of John Muir Land Trust. "Thanks to Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan's commitment and the community's support, we can now restore this beloved site and create meaningful outdoor learning opportunities for thousands of local students each year."
John Muir Land Trust will now move forward with comprehensive restoration work, including removing hazardous structures and debris, addressing fire safety concerns, and developing infrastructure to safely welcome visitors back to the site. The organization also plans to partner with educational specialists to create engaging programming that connects children with nature through hands-on learning experiences, including teaching students about the area's history as Native American land and honoring the Ohlone, Miwok, Muwekma, and Confederated Villages of Lisjan, who were the original stewards of this landscape.
"This acquisition demonstrates what we can accomplish when state resources, local leadership, and community organizations work together," Assemblymember Bauer-Kahan added. "I look forward to seeing Wagner Ranch Nature Area flourish once again as a place where children discover the wonders of the natural world right in their own backyard."
###
