Nearest city Brentwood, California Address Byron, CA 94514, USA Phone +1 888-327-2757 | Created 1989 Area 6.653 km² | |
Location Mount Diablo,
Contra Costa County, California Operated by East Bay Regional Parks District Status Restricted access (via guided tours only) | ||
Vasco Caves Regional Preserve is located on the eastern slope of Mount Diablo, on Vasco Road within eastern Contra Costa County, California. It was created to preserve wildlife habitats and California chaparral and woodlands native plant communities, and Native American rock art.
Contents
The property was jointly purchased by the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD), in the Diablo Range between Brentwood and Livermore, California. The first acquisition of land for Vasco Caves Regional Preserve occurred in 1989.
On December 15, 2009, the two agencies agreed to buy 1,644 acres (665 ha) of property adjacent to the Vasco Caves. The purchase price was $2.924 million and included no mineral rights or wind rights or wind turbine revenues. The property was previously owned by Vaquero Farms Conservation LLC, and included 190 wind turbines owned by Tres Vaqueros Wind Farms and North Wind Energy. The new Vaquero Farms tract will not be open for public access, but will be held in land bank status because of sensitive wildlife habitat and ongoing wind turbine operations.
Features
The preserve contains some spectacular rock outcroppings. On top of the rocks there are vernal pools that are habitats for the long-horned fairy shrimp (Anostraca). Nearby are natural springs which harbor the red-legged frog. Other wildlife are frequently seen, including kit fox, coyote, and raptors such as eagles and hawks.
Archaeological explorations have revealed cave art dating back over 10,000 years.
Admission
The preserve is not open to casual visits by the public, with access limited to guided tours by advance reservation.