A conservation easement now permanently protects Ellen Gail Levine’s 8-acre property in Hayward, California, a suburb of Oakland. Due to its proximity to the San Francisco Bay area, population growth has spiked in recent decades, making protection of remaining natural areas especially important for the well being of both people and wildlife. Forests on the property include oak, eucalyptus, and pine, providing habitat for bears, mule deer, foxes, opossums, skunks, turkey vultures, and various hawk species. A creek on this hillside sanctuary strengthens its habitat value, as does its diverse edge habitat. Concerned that too many acres in her area were being developed, Ms. Levine wanted to ensure that her acres and the wildlife they nurture would be permanently safe from development and other threats.