Tiburon open space acquisition in final stages

The approval of the state budget liberated a $5.5 million grant that was allocated to conserve the Martha Co. property.

The acquisition of more than 100 acres of coveted land in the Tiburon Peninsula is nearly complete.

A $5.5 million grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board for the purchase of the Martha Co. property was frozen until the state budget was set. When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the budget on June 29, that allowed the funding to go forward.

“We’re really pleased not only that we get to release the money, but that it’s earlier than expected so that folks can get to work closing these properties and getting the restorations done,” said Jennifer Norris, executive director of the California Wildlife Conservation Board.

The grant was allocated to the Trust for Public Land, a San Francisco nonprofit, in May for the purchase of the 110-acre property, which will have four main public trails that offer panoramic views of San Francisco Bay. The trust and the group Tiburon Open Space have spearheaded the project and raised funds to buy the property.

“This is expected, great news,” Jerry Riessen, president of Tiburon Open Space, said of the grant.

The California Wildlife Conservation Board grants support Newsom’s goal of conserving 30% of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030.

Dave Sutton, conservation director of the Trust for Public Land, said now that key funding has been secured, the final step of “due diligence” is underway, which includes directing multiple public and philanthropic funding sources into escrow. The trust plans to acquire and convey the property to Marin County Open Space District in mid-September.

The property owners, the Reed family, set a sale price of $42.1 million. The Marin County Open Space District, which will take over the management of the property, agreed to contribute over $29 million. Other funding sources include $3.2 million from various philanthropies, $1.5 million from the Moore Foundation and $1.5 million from the California Natural Resources Agency

“With time running out to acquire this property for the public, WCB’s timely support marks a pivotal moment in the 30-year effort to preserve this cherished landscape,” said Guillermo Rodriguez, state director of the Trust for Public Land. “This project isn’t just about preserving breathtaking views; it’s about safeguarding vital habitats and ensuring access to green spaces for generations to come.”

The land trust will not need an additional $1 million that Tiburon pledged in April. Tiburon had previously pledged $1 million in 2022, and Belvedere pledged $125,000 in April. Riessen said a funding gap of less than a $20,000 remains.

The conservation of the Tiburon Ridge property, which is next to the Old St. Hilary’s Preserve and the Tiburon Uplands preserve, will create 256 acres of contiguous open space to protect biodiversity. The area has many rare and special-status species, including the Marin dwarf flax and serpentine reed grass, and is a habitat for the California red-legged frog, the loggerhead shrike and the northern harrier.

Tiburon Mayor Alice Fredericks said she was elated to hear that the state funding came through. In a time when towns are trying to meet increased demands and satisfy state mandates on housing, she said, open spaces like the Martha property are a “treasure.”

“However awesome the recreational and environmental resources of places like the Martha property are, a walk on this ridge also reminds each of us of the fragile systems that sustain us,” Fredericks said.