A 140-acre tract of woodlands and grassland in eastern Contra Costa County will be preserved as part of the future Deer Valley Regional Park, the East Bay Regional Park District announced.
The property, south of Antioch and southwest of Brentwood, was acquired in partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy from the John R. Freschi Jr. 2018 Living Trust, the district said.
It was financed by a grant of $1.5 million from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and $320,000 from the Wildlife Conservation Board, the district said.
“The property is composed of oak woodland and oak savanna and includes sprawling grasslands, a segment of Marsh Creek riparian habitat, and a seasonal pond,” the district said in a news release. “No species studies have been completed yet, but habitat found on the Freschi property is known to support the California red-legged frog, the California tiger salamander, and a variety of raptors.”
The California tiger salamander is listed as a threatened and endangered species, while the California red-legged frog is a threatened species.
The land is accessed from Briones Valley Road, about 1.3 miles west of Deer Valley Road, according to the district.
“This acquisition reflects the Park District’s ongoing commitment to protecting critical habitat and expanding access to nature for all,” Park District General Manager Sabrina Landreth said in the news release. “We’re grateful for our strong partnership with the East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy and the support of state agencies that helped make this purchase possible.”
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