New Conservation Easements Protect 331 Acres of Wildlife Habitat and Open Space in Doolan Canyon and Springtown
SUMMARY: Tri-Valley Conservancy has permanently protected 331 new acres of open space and wildlife habitat in Doolan Canyon and Springtown Preserve, strengthening a connected landscape of nearly 1,500 acres that wildlife depends on to thrive.
Sunset at Springtown Wetlands, Markus Huber
Thursday, October 15, 2026, LIVERMORE, CA: Two new conservation easements secured by Tri-Valley Conservancy (TVC) have permanently protected 331 acres of wildlife habitat and open space in Doolan Canyon and Springtown Preserve, helping keep the Tri-Valley's wild and scenic lands connected and thriving for generations to come.
Together, these easements significantly add to the network of protected land across the region. The 131-acre Doolan Canyon property links nearly 1,500 acres of open space between Dublin and Livermore, creating a wildlife corridor where animals can travel safely between the places they live. In Springtown, an additional 200 acres expand the existing 40-acre preserve to protect some of North Livermore's most unique alkali wetlands and the rare plants and animals that depend on them.
“TVC is proud to add these open space lands to our more than 6,500 areas of protected lands in the Tri-Valley region,” said Rebecca Spector, executive director of Tri-Valley Conservancy. “These lands are home to special species including California tiger salamanders and western burrowing owls, and connect larger habitat areas ensuring wildlife can travel safely across the region.”
A Vital Link for Wildlife in Doolan Canyon
Doolan Canyon is a place where open grasslands still offer room for wildlife to roam. Located on Doolan Road in unincorporated Alameda County, the new 131-acre easement is made up mostly of grazed, undeveloped grassland, and it sits right next to 1,346 acres of land already protected under conservation easement by TVC. By connecting these properties, the easement helps maintain a wildlife corridor, an unbroken stretch of habitat that lets animals move between food, water, and shelter. That connection matters especially for the California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog, two species that rely on healthy wetlands and the grasslands around them.
The property also includes habitat improvements to enable wildlife to thrive, including a roughly 0.3-acre pond and swale surrounded by new streamside plantings. Together with the surrounding grasslands, these features strengthen the land's value as a place of refuge.
TVC is grateful to Trumark Homes and the City of Livermore for working with us to secure these easements. TVC will work with the City of Livermore and its partners to protect and enhance these important landscapes and habitat areas for generations to come.
Safeguarding a One-of-a-Kind Landscape in Springtown
The new Springtown easement protects approximately 200 acres within the larger 300-acre, City of Livermore-owned Springtown Preserve. This land is part of the Springtown Alkali Sink, a special landscape in North Livermore where sensitive habitats come together to support a remarkable variety of plants and animals.
The Livermore tarplant and palmate-bracted bird's-beak, two rare plants, grow in only a few isolated places in the region, and the Springtown Alkali Sink is one of them. The land also shelters California tiger salamander, California red-legged frog, western burrowing owl, and vernal pool fairy shrimp, animals that need protected spaces like this one to survive.
The land is now permanently protected for habitat and watershed health, giving this unique landscape the lasting care it deserves.
Caring for These Lands for the Long Term
TVC's work does not end when an easement is signed. Caring for these two properties will include monitoring the watershed, enhancing the conservation values and regularly visiting the land. Each year, TVC will monitor the easements to make sure the land continues to be a haven for wildlife and to defend the natural value in perpetuity.
"Conservation is a long-term commitment. Our role is to make sure these lands stay thriving ecosystems that stand the test of time. We’re proud to work hands-on to ensure the terms of our easements are upheld, and we have staff out in the field year-round to different properties to do so.” said Diana Roberts, associate director of conservation at TVC.
These two easements are part of TVC's ongoing work to protect the Tri-Valley's agricultural lands, open spaces, wildlife habitat, and other natural treasures. To learn more and support our work, visit trivalleyconservancy.org
ABOUT TRI-VALLEY CONSERVANCY: Tri-Valley Conservancy is a local nonprofit land trust working to preserve and advocate for agricultural and open space lands in the Tri-Valley. As our communities grow, it becomes even more important that we protect these spaces we love and need the most. To learn more, please visit TriValleyConservancy.org or call (925) 449-8706.