Introduction
Over two decades of unwavering advocacy and persistent battles resulted in 2021 in a triumphant step in the preservation of Tesla Park, a 3,100-acre ecological jewel in eastern Alameda County, California. Initially threatened by California State Parks’ plan to expand neighboring Carnegie State Vehicular Recreation Area and open Tesla to destructive off highway vehicular (OHV) recreation, Tesla Park became the focal point of a long struggle championed by environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, California Native Plant Society, Friends of Tesla Park, SAVE THE FROGS, neighboring ranchers, historic preservationists, local officials and many more. 🌿 🌳
Foothill Yellow-Legged Frogs (Rana boylii) photo from Alameda Creek courtesy Dr. Sarah Kupferberg, whose scientific efforts made this victory possible.
Legislative Success: SB155 ✅
A watershed moment was the signing of SB155, the State Public Resources Trailer Bill, in September 2021. State Senator Steven Glazer and Assemblywoman Rebecca Bauer-Kahan played instrumental roles in negotiations, which resulted in motorized recreation being prohibited in Tesla and a planning process to determine how Tesla should be added as a unit as the State Parks system. The region will now be spared from motor vehicle recreation, because of the collective effort that resisted OHV expansion, filed lawsuits, and engaged in legislative battles.
Photo of Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii) by Will Flaxington.
Ecological Marvel, Cultural Heritage, and Amphibian Sanctuary 🌱
Nestled at the convergence of the Coast Ranges and San Joaquin Plain, Tesla Park stands as an ecological treasure. The tranquil landscape provides an ideal habitat for rare amphibians including the California Tiger Salamander (Ambystoma californiense), Western Spadefoot (Spea hammondii), Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog (Rana boylii), California Red-Legged Frog (Rana draytonii).
Botanists and biologists highlight its unique role as a habitat where desert-adapted and Bay Area species coexist. Recognized as a “Botanical Priority Protection Area,” Tesla Park harbors at least seven sensitive natural communities and 36 rare plant species, not counting locally rare plants, vital in the era of climate change. Beyond its ecological significance, it serves as a critical linkage wildlife corridor and holds cultural importance as ancestral homelands for the Yokuts and Ohlone peoples.
Diving deeper into its biodiversity, Tesla Park serves as a thriving sanctuary and essential habitat for at least 49 threatened, endangered and special status species. Advocates, while celebrating the legislative victory, stress the importance of preserving the flora and fauna and entire intact ecosystem that is a thriving haven for amphibians and other wildlife.
Photo of California Tiger Salamander by Bill Stagnaro.
🚧 Challenges Ahead, But Optimism Prevails 🌈
Celebrating this triumph, advocates are now focused on the State Parks planning phase with “classification” as the first step. State Parks typically looks for a classification that can maximize active impactful recreation, so the challenge to fully protect Tesla remains. The goal is to classify Tesla as a “natural reserve” and “cultural reserve” as the best way to protect Tesla’s rare and sensitive resources while allowing low impact public access focused on enjoyment and education such as hiking, interpretive trails and guided tours. An important element of the reserve would be its organization around the relationship of Indigenous people with the land. The name ‘Hismet Warep’, meaning ‘Sacred Earth’ in the Chochenyo language of the Ohlone people, has been identified for the reserve by Native American leaders working to preserve Tesla. SAVE THE FROGS! has joined this effort to classify Tesla as a reserve which can serve as a model for prioritizing resource protection, Native American equity and involvement of diverse stakeholders.
As we savor the victory to prevent OHV recreation in Tesla and acknowledge its significance for amphibian biodiversity, the journey continues to ensure Tesla thrives—a harmonious balance between conservation, light recreation, and cultural heritage. The important legislative step on the road to full preservation, achieved through collective dedication over two decades, is a major win worth celebrating and being grateful for. Thank you for your continuing commitment to Tesla and protecting exceptional natural and cultural resources in our region and beyond. 🌲🦉🐸
California Red-Legged Frogs (Rana draytonii) photo by SAVE THE FROGS! Founder Dr. Kerry Kriger. Photo of Rana boylii atop this page also by Dr. Kriger.
