BRENTWOOD – In one other step towards defending Mount Diablo, 5 acres at the moment are secured from future growth following a donation by the Nunn household.
Referred to as the Nunn-Paulsen inholding, the land was donated to the nonprofit Save Mount Diablo by Bob Nunn in reminiscence of his late father, Ron Nunn, who died in August at 92.
“Although my father had many stories to tell, one that always stuck with me and that I also share is when he could look and see Mount Diablo, he knew he was home,” Bob Nunn stated in a press release.
In response to Save Mount Diablo, the method to avoid wasting the land took simply over three months from “concept to close of escrow.”
The group stated the donation brings it “one step closer to making the mountain whole and protected for current and future generations.”
“Protecting inholdings like this is critical to maintaining the integrity of Mount Diablo and Mount Diablo State Park,” stated the nonprofit. “These privately held parcels have the potential to disrupt and threaten conservation efforts in the surrounding park if the inholdings were to be developed or poorly taken care of.”
Save Mount Diablo Govt Director Ted Clement thanked Nunn for the “generous donation” of the property.
“Privately owned inholdings within public parks are major land acquisition priorities for Save Mount Diablo, so we are deeply grateful that this year our wonderful supporters enabled us to complete two inholding acquisitions within Mount Diablo State Park,” stated Clement.
Apart from the Nunn-Paulsen inholding, the nonprofit additionally finalized the 10-acre Balcerzak inholding parcel inside Mount Diablo State Park in early September by paying off a $537,500 mortgage.
“Acquiring and protecting inholdings like the Nunn-Paulsen and Balcerzak inholdings are major accomplishments in our ongoing mission to save Mount Diablo and its sustaining wild lands,” stated the group.
SB 630 goals to expedite the acquisition of qualifying land for California State Parks by permitting the addition of lands with acquisition prices of $1 million or much less to present state parks with out requiring a number of company approvals, the group stated.
For almost 20 years, California State Parks has not been in a position so as to add new land to Mount Diablo State Park as a result of the park must acquire approval from different companies earlier than buying a property, stated Clement.
“We look forward to working with our good partner California State Parks so that we can eventually transfer these inholdings to them with the assistance of a new law we helped champion to make such acquisitions by state parks easier,” he added.
Clement famous that just a few privately owned inholdings stay on Mount Diablo, every below 100 acres.
“There are also other privately owned properties on the slopes of the mountain that are contiguous with state parks but not fully surrounded, and we are also trying to get those secured,” he stated.
Although solely 5 acres, the Nunn-Paulsen inholding is a “compact and biologically diverse gem,” with blue oak and reside oak woodland, and oak savanna habitat, stated Save Mount Diablo.
Among the many species discovered are the California red-legged frog and Alameda whipsnake, that are particular standing species that “are likely to be present on the property,” stated the group.
“They’re confirmed on the neighboring Three Springs property,” stated Save Mount Diablo. “The serpentine rock on the Nunn-Paulsen land provides excellent growing conditions for rare plant species.”
The parcel additionally lies inside a wildlife hall between Mount Diablo State Park and Black Diamond Mines Regional Protect.
Nunn has been a longtime supporter of the nonprofit. Within the early Nineties, a deal between Nunn and the group enabled the acquisition of about 75 acres, which was named Three Springs.
The property was transferred to the California State Parks for inclusion in Mount Diablo State Park in 1992.
Nunn ultimately served as a board member on Save Mount Diablo.
Nunn stated his father had at all times been an “ardent conservationist and preservationist.”
Ron was a fourth-generation Brentwood farmer and native developer. He was additionally an ardent conservationist, based on his son Bob. Ron died in August 2025 on the age of 92. (Photograph courtesy of Bob Nunn).
“But at the same point in time, he didn’t necessarily savor being called that. It was more as a point of action and conscience, versus trying to make people believe that was the impression that he wanted to move forward (with),” Nunn stated. “He did it because it was the right thing, not to gain attention.”
Nunn stated the household has been energetic in land stewardship for many years.
“For example, we sold the development rights, a long-term agricultural property to help the Brentwood agricultural land trust,” he stated. “My father previously dedicated a few acres to the East Contra Costa County Historical Society. … So it’s kind of a multi-generational mindset, conservation, and at times, donation and dedication, separate from any business relationships that we have.”
Nunn believes the household will proceed to take part in land dedications and donations sometimes.
“Don’t be surprised if you see something a bit larger that takes place next year again. I’ll probably do it as an honor to my father,” stated Nunn.
