Fundraising begins for Mitchell Canyon education center

CLAYTON, CA (Nov. 7, 2022) — Efforts are underway to ­welcome Mount Diablo State Park’s next hundred years with a modern education center near Clayton.

The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA), the park’s official partner, is launching a campaign to raise $3 million to build this new education center in Mitchell Canyon. The group hopes many others will join them as new protectors and champions of Mount Diablo.

As a gateway to the wonder and spirit of Mount Diablo, the new education center will illuminate Native American history and relationships to Mount Diablo, and expand the native plant garden to teach about local flora and fauna.
A small portable trailer does its best to welcome and educate the more than 35,000 visitors to Mitchell Canyon, on the northwest slope of the park. But the grounds are not ADA compliant, the parking is inadequate, and there is no space for classes, presentations or workshops.

“A new educational complex with ADA compliant facilities at Mitchell Canyon would make it possible to accommodate field trips by bus for the first time to the mountain and provide outdoor education, natural history and environmental science opportunities that are not currently available,” noted Lynn Mackay, Contra Costa County’s superintendent of schools.

This exciting project is sure to inspire future generations to wander the mountain, explore Mount Diablo’s biodiversity, wonder at its beauty and ensure its protection.

Wally De Young is the MDIA outreach director. For more information and to learn how you can help build the new Mitchel Canyon education center, visit MDIA.org or email mcec4mc@gmail.com.