On August 12, 2022, the Marin Open Space Trust (MOST) secured a purchase agreement to buy the 9.4-acre Upper Hawthorne Canyon property in San Anselmo, which has been a Town open-space priority for years. MOST has launched a $550,000 fundraising campaign, with a June 15, 2023 deadline, to raise funds for the purchase, project costs, and stewardship.

Land Acquisition Campaign Highlights

WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY EXPIRES June 15, 2023

Raised to Date
$73,000
Remaining Funds to Raise
$477,000
Total Goal
$550,000

About Upper Hawthorne Canyon

The hilly property, just below Oak Springs Drive and adjacent to Fairfax, is contiguous with the 22-acre Hawthorne Canyon Open Space Preserve, owned by the Town of San Anselmo. This town preserve was protected in 1999 when neighbors and town residents contributed funds toward its purchase. The Town owns two other adjacent open-space parcels to the east of the Upper Hawthorne Canyon property; with the preservation of Upper Hawthorne Canyon, 45 contiguous acres would be forever protected.

Two dirt roads descend the Upper Hawthorne Canyon property’s grassland, one connecting Oak Springs Drive with the lower preserve. Many people use these paths and assume the property is public open space. Oak woodland covers the land’s lower slopes and ravine. The outstanding view from the property encompasses the scenic hills of San Anselmo and Fairfax with Mount Tamalpais beyond, and San Francisco in the distance.

the Campaign

We now have an opportunity to permanently protect this 9.4 acre-property and create an expanded Hawthorne Canyon Open Space Preserve. Not only will the preservation of this property permanently assure public access, but it will also protect the viewshed, as the land is visible from many places in San Anselmo. The property could be developed with multiple large homes, and any development could prevent public access and create major visual impacts.
MOST Protect Upper Hawthorne Canyon Gallery

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Please help us raise the $550,000 needed to successfully complete this project and ensure that Upper Hawthorne Canyon becomes part of our community forever! All gifts are tax-deductible.

Map locations are approximate and for illustrative purposes only.
Marin Open Space Trust Logo

Since its founding, MOST has completed nine land protection projects, including three conservation easements acquisitions and six land acquisitions.