What Save Mount Diablo does

Save Mount Diablo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 and headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, whose mission is to preserve, defend, restore, and provide public access to natural lands on and around Mount Diablo and the broader 200-mile Diablo Range. The organization has expanded protected acreage from 6,788 acres in 1971 to over 120,000 acres spanning more than 50 parks and preserves, supported by nearly 700 miles of public trails. Its core activities are time-critical land acquisition, conservation easements, habitat restoration, land-use advocacy, and free environmental education programming delivered through programs such as the Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve, Young Diablo Explorers K-6 curricula, BioBlitz citizen science events, Discover Diablo hikes, and the Mary Bowerman Science & Research Program.

The organization operates a portfolio of programs rather than technology products. Key service offerings include the Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) volunteer stewardship program, signature fundraising events (Moonlight on the Mountain gala, Mount Diablo Challenge, Four Days Diablo, Diablo Trails Challenge, Beacon Lighting), the Mount Diablo Regional Trail Map (sixth edition, 2023), Audible Mount Diablo audio guides, and the Diablo Watch publication. Technology footprint is limited to standard nonprofit tooling — a website, email newsletter, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Bluesky), and georeferenced maps compatible with the Avenza app — with no proprietary platform or AI components.

Save Mount Diablo is funded through a diversified nonprofit revenue model including individual donations, monthly sustainers, memberships, planned/legacy giving, corporate partnerships and matching gifts, event revenue, and government and foundation grants (notably a $7M California Coastal Conservancy grant and a $728K California Wildlife Conservation Board grant). It is nationally accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission (2016) and operates with a small staff of 11-50 employees, supported by a base of 10,000+ individual supporters and a large volunteer network. The organization partners with California State Parks, East Bay Regional Park District, East Contra Costa County Habitat Conservancy, and a wide coalition of conservation, education, and corporate stakeholders to execute acquisitions and conservation outcomes.

Name

Save Mount Diablo

Legal name

Save Mount Diablo

Website

https://savemountdiablo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Save Mount Diablo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 that preserves, defends, and restores natural lands across Mount Diablo and the 200-mile Diablo Range in California. It serves the general public, schools, donors, and government partners by protecting over 120,000 acres, delivering free educational and stewardship programs, and advocating for conservation policy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation and Environmental Preservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

Keywords

• Land conservation
• Habitat preservation
• Environmental education
• Volunteer stewardship
• Conservation advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Walnut Creek

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through one-time donations, monthly giving (Mountain Sustainers program), and annual appeals such as the Spring Appeal.
2. Membership/Join: Community members join or renew memberships to support the organization.
3. Planned Giving/Legacy Gifts: Donors can include Save Mount Diablo in their estate planning.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate giving, employer matching gifts, corporate volunteer events, and corporate workdays provide business support.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from California Wildlife Conservation Board ($728,000 grant), California Coastal Conservancy ($7 million grant), and other government agencies and foundations.
6. Stock, IRA, and Donor Advised Funds: Accepts gifts of stock, IRA charitable distributions, and donations from donor advised funds.
7. Event Revenue: Major events like Moonlight on the Mountain gala generate support and donations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels14 records

Core offering

Save Mount Diablo is a nonprofit land trust that acquires, protects, restores, and advocates for natural lands on and around Mount Diablo and across the 200-mile Diablo Range. It delivers this through direct land acquisition, conservation easements, habitat restoration (Diablo Restoration Team), free educational programs (Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve, Young Diablo Explorers K-6 curriculum, Discover Diablo hikes, BioBlitz citizen science), grants for conservation research (Mary Bowerman Science & Research Program), free trail maps and audio guides, and land use advocacy and legal action to defend open space.

Product overview

Save Mount Diablo is a nonprofit land conservation organization that does not operate a traditional tech product. The organization offers a portfolio of conservation programs and educational services including land preservation, habitat restoration, outdoor recreation programs, and scientific research support. Key programs include the Discover Diablo Hikes & Outings for public recreation, the Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) for volunteer stewardship, Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve for educational visits, Young Diablo Explorers for youth environmental education, Mary Bowerman Science & Research Program for conservation grants, BioBlitz citizen science events, Audible Mount Diablo audio guides, Diablo Watch Magazine publication, the Mount Diablo Regional Trail Map resource, and special events such as Moonlight on the Mountain and the Mount Diablo Challenge. These programs collectively serve to preserve, defend, restore, educate, and provide recreational access to Mount Diablo and the Diablo Range.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Discover Diablo Hikes & Outings Free public hiking and outdoor recreation program offering guided hikes, trail runs, and outings to explore Mount Diablo and the Diablo Range, including bilingual Spanish-English hikes, mountain biking, and rock-climbing events for the general public.
• Diablo Restoration Team (DiRT) Volunteer stewardship program dedicated to habitat conservation and enhancement in Contra Costa County, involving weeding, planting, cleaning, and trail building activities on Save Mount Diablo's protected properties.
• Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve The first free educational preserve in Contra Costa County, available for reservations by schools and community groups of all ages for educational purposes.
• Young Diablo Explorers Youth education program providing free, hands-on environmental education aligned with science standards for kindergarten through sixth grade, available as a published nature-based curriculum.
• Mary Bowerman Science & Research Program Grant program funding scientific research and conservation studies in the Diablo Range, supporting species recovery and habitat studies.
• BioBlitz Citizen science events engaging volunteers to document biodiversity and conduct field research across the Diablo Range.
• Diablo Watch Magazine A monthly publication covering conservation news, land preservation updates, and environmental stories from the Diablo region, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2019.
• Audible Mount Diablo Guides Audio guides available as podcasts that explore Mount Diablo's history, plants, animals, and trails, covering locations such as Mitchell Canyon, Rock City, Black Diamond Mines, and others.
• Mount Diablo Regional Trail Map Comprehensive regional outdoor recreation map covering Mount Diablo, Los Vaqueros, and surrounding parks, available free in print, digital, and georeferenced formats compatible with Avenza navigation apps.
• Signature Events (Moonlight on the Mountain, Mount Diablo Challenge, Four Days Diablo, Diablo Trails Challenge, Beacon Lighting) Recurring signature events including the annual Moonlight on the Mountain gala, the Mount Diablo Challenge bike event, Four Days Diablo multi-day hiking experience, Diablo Trails Challenge, and Beacon Lighting ceremonies, generating donations and community engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Expanded protected lands from 6,788 acres in 1971 to over 120,000 acres today
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for Mount Diablo State Park protection, land acquisition, and management. Save Mount Diablo supports State Parks' acquisition efforts including advocacy for acceptance of conservation properties.
• East Bay Regional Park DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership on land acquisitions including Finley Road Ranch (768 acres), property transfers, and ongoing conservation collaboration. EBRPD is a key public agency partner for park creation and management.
• East Contra Costa County Habitat ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on habitat conservation and property acquisitions in eastern Contra Costa County. Executive Director Abby Fateman works closely with Save Mount Diablo on land protection strategies.
• UC Berkeley's Oral History Center of The Bancroft LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 50th anniversary oral history project documenting voices of Save Mount Diablo's founders, leaders, supporters, and agency partners.
• Visit ConcordminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of the Mount Diablo Regional Trail Map (Sixth Edition 2023), helping make the free resource available to more audiences.
• Bay Area Climbers CoalitionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Adopt-A-Crag events at Mount Diablo State Park for trail restoration and fire hazard reduction.
• Yosemite Climbing AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Adopt-A-Crag volunteer stewardship events and climbing community engagement.
• Touchstone ClimbingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner participating in Adopt-A-Crag events and climbing community outreach.
• CalFireminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner agency in Adopt-A-Crag events and fire hazard reduction efforts on Mount Diablo.
• UC BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership including UC Berkeley Oral History Center, participation in land conservation courses, and student volunteers.
• Mount Diablo Interpretive AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on Audible Mount Diablo guides and interpretive materials for trail users.
• Walnut Creek Open SpaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManaging agency for Lime Ridge Open Space where Save Mount Diablo has trail guides and educational programs.
• Contra Costa Water DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Los Vaqueros Reservoir area conservation and mitigation lands around Mount Diablo.
• Lindsay Wildlife HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership allowing wildlife hospital access to Save Mount Diablo properties for squirrel rehabilitation and release.
• Land Trust AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational land trust membership organization providing professional development and advocacy. Save Mount Diablo staff attend annual Rally conferences.
• CEMEX USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfter six years of collaboration, CEMEX agreed to donate a 101-acre parcel of land to Mount Diablo State Park adjacent to Mitchell Canyon.
• Concord Mt. Diablo Trail Ride AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to protect 154 critical open space acres on Mount Diablo's North Peak through conservation easement.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST): Peninsula Open Space Trust is a California land trust focused on permanently protecting open space on the San Francisco Peninsula. Highly comparable to Save Mount Diablo in mission, model, Bay Area geography, and donor-supported land acquisition strategy.
• Save the Redwoods League: Save the Redwoods League is a California-focused nonprofit that acquires and protects redwood forests. Closely mirrors Save Mount Diablo's land acquisition, conservation easement, and public access model, with similar reliance on individual donors, grants, and government partnerships.
• Sempervirens Fund: Sempervirens Fund protects and restores redwood forests in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Comparable in scale, California-only geography, nonprofit land trust structure, and reliance on donor-supported acquisition and stewardship.
• Sonoma Land Trust: Sonoma Land Trust is a regional California land trust conserving natural and agricultural lands in Sonoma County. Directly comparable to Save Mount Diablo in nonprofit land trust model, regional California geography, and acquisition-plus-advocacy approach.
• Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District manages 65,000+ acres of open space preserves on the San Francisco Peninsula. Operates in the same Bay Area geography with comparable public open space, trail, and conservation mandate, though as a public agency rather than a private nonprofit.
• Napa County Land Trust: Napa County Land Trust is a regional California land trust protecting natural and agricultural lands in Napa County. Directly comparable to Save Mount Diablo in regional California focus, nonprofit land trust structure, and acquisition-plus-stewardship operations.

Broad incumbents

• The Trust for Public Land: The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit that conserves land for public access. Operates the same land acquisition, conservation easement, and ballot-measure funding playbook as Save Mount Diablo, but at much larger national scale.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is the world's largest conservation organization, operating globally across land, water, and climate programs. Shares the nonprofit conservation model and science-driven approach but at a vastly larger scale than Save Mount Diablo.

Regional players

• Open Space Authority of Santa Clara Valley: Open Space Authority of Santa Clara Valley protects natural open space and agricultural lands in southern San Francisco Bay Area. Comparable open space, trail, and conservation mission but operates as an independent public agency rather than a private nonprofit.

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: Land Trust Alliance is the national membership organization that provides accreditation, advocacy, and professional development to land trusts including Save Mount Diablo. Functions as an ecosystem enabler rather than a direct conservation operator.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SaveMountDiablo1971
• Facebookfacebook.com/save-mount-diablo-124006360954010
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/save-mount-diablo
• Instagraminstagram.com/savemountdiablo
• Xx.com/savemountdiablo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Save Mount Diablo