Student board members from the Friends of the Orinda Nature Area (FONA), along with local students, help FONA naturalist Toris Jaeger prepare beds for native seeds and seedlings on Dec. 10, 2023.
A budget plan for the $1.5 million in state funding awarded to the Friends of the Nature Area (FONA) was approved at the Orinda Union School District (OUSD) Nov. 13, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting.
FONA, also known as the Wagner Ranch Nature Area, is an almost 19-acre nature preserve owned by the OUSD, featuring a forest, meadows, ponds and streams. Orinda elementary school students take part in field trips, hands-on educational activities and summer camps at the historic site.
Storms in the winter of 2022-2023 significantly damaged the nature area, creating safety hazards due to downed and falling trees and eroded pathways, forcing closure of the property.
The extensive damage requires considerable funds to repair the site. In 2022, OUSD requested $4.5 million for the preservation and protection of the nature area through Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan’s office, but the funding was not granted. After a resubmission of the request, the district was awarded $1.5 million for the area’s current needs.
The initial request included estimates for a visitor and education center, nature pathway signage and displays and a shade canopy, which were not included in the approved budget. Tree removal and trimming, upgraded pathways and five years of ongoing maintenance of the nature area are new additions. Other line items, such as ADA-compliant pathways, fencing and outdoor education coordinators, were funded, but to a lesser extent than originally requested.
The nature area is reopening in phases. The Wagner Ranch Parent’s Club funded repairs to the school garden, which reopened last August.
Funding and volunteer efforts from Boys Team Charity, which helped to remove fallen tree limbs and other hazards, enabled the nature area garden to reopen in October.
The rest of the site remains closed for now, but is expected to open “hopefully by mid-2024,” according to a recent update from FONA.
“We have to ensure the safety of the nature area, otherwise nothing can be accomplished,” said OUSD Superintendent Aida Glimme. All costs in the current budget are based on estimates and need to be updated based on actual quotes.
Tree trimming and removal service will require OUSD to issue a request for a proposal, which is a lengthy process, according to Glimme. A contractor to repair pathways must also be secured.
OUSD is slated to receive the funding in January or February.
During the meeting on Nov. 13, FONA Vice President Rebecca Dahlberg thanked Glimme for her work on the grant request, while also expressing concern about not being consulted on the budget line items.
“We have questions about where certain dollar figures came from, and are things like a kitchen upgrade really necessary?” said Dahlberg. “We would love to have a seat at the table, talking about these things, because we think we can bring something with our knowledge base as you discuss the different issues and line items.”
In a press release sent by Kathy Barrett, FONA members confirmed meetings will be held in the coming weeks to discuss goals, “We look forward to collaborating with the Orinda school district so that we can reopen the nature area and restart greater volunteer activities, and the school district can restart nature programs for our school kids as soon as feasible.”
The Orinda Union School District updated its state funding budget proposal for the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. The original visitor and education center, nature pathway signage and displays and shade canopy have been omitted, estimates for other expenses adjusted and costs for maintenance and safety added.
