News!

Stinkwort Success

Land Steward volunteers havenearly struck invasive stinkwort from Spreckels Hill! Read on to learn more about the successful efforts of our super stinkwort-removing champions.

Caregiver's Guide to Nature

From physical wellness to mental health and beyond, connecting children with nature can have a multitude of benefits that play an important role in their development. Nature helps children learn about the world around them. Yet, exploring nature with young ones can also be a little intimidating, especially for adults who are new to nature themselves! Through this Parent and Caregiver’s Guide to Nature, we hope to instill confidence in your abilities to explore nature with the children in your care and discover local spaces to test out your new knowledge.*

*This guide was put together with the help of the public! Advice and suggestions were compiled from a survey distributed during September and October 2024.

Celebrating Healthy Soils Week

Healthy soil is the backbone of climate resilience, agriculture and restoration projects on working lands. Yet, despite its importance, it can be a difficult topic to understand due to its complexities. In honor of Healthy Soils Week, the Open Space Authority is breaking down what healthy soil is, its importance, how the Authority promotes healthy soils and some tips to help the soil thrive in urban areas.

This is our moment. Join us!

Andrea Mackenzie, the general manager for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, shares a reflective and hopeful message about the future of the agency as well as our commitment to caring for nature to benefit the people and wildlife who live in the Santa Clara Valley. Scroll to keep reading the message.

Laguna Seca Transferred Into Public Ownership

November 14, 2024 - The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has announced the transfer of 376 acres of land in North Coyote Valley to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Keep reading to learn more about this historic milestone.

Protecting Monarch Butterflies

With its quintessential bold orange wings and black markings, the monarch butterfly is a global celebrity with populations existing in places like New Zealand, South America, Puerto Rico and India. The monarch’s large presence in Mexico has made it a particularly significant cultural symbol, especially during Día de los Muertos. Despite recent population declines of this popular species, new research is giving hope that this meaningful cultural figure will fight the risk of extinction.

Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!

The Open Space Authority's 2024 open house events invited community members to learn all about the latest Understanding Coyote Valley: Existing Conditions Report, provide input on the future planning of the region and vote on their favorite winning photo from the Picturing Coyote Valley photo contest.

Keep scrolling to meet the winner of the photo contest's People's Choice category and view some highlights from the open house events.

The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping

While driving down Santa Teresa Boulevard in Coyote Valley, you'll likely see golden fields, farmland and maybe even a coyote or two. Unfortunately, it’s also likely that you may see a random pile of trash, broken household appliances, discarded mattresses and construction debris.

Illegal dumping, or the inappropriate disposal of unwanted items and hazardous waste, is a persistent issue that negatively impacts humans, the surrounding environment and the wildlife that live in the area. Throughout Coyote Valley in particular, contaminated dirt and other construction debris piles are left on the side of the road in areas that may look like open fields, but in fact are valuable wildlife habitats.

Keep reading to learn how illegal dumping is a cause for concern and what can be done to minimize its effect.

Spotlight: Honoring Larry Coons

Amidst a growing wave of support from passionate community advocates dedicated to preserving the intrinsic natural beauty of Santa Clara Valley, in July 1994, Larry Coons stepped into the position of general manager at the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority (Authority) - now known as the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

Sadly, Larry passed away on April 1, 2024. Keeping reading to learn more about Larry’s lasting legacy at the Open Space Authority.

Celebrating Nature in your neighborhoods

Every two years, the Open Space Authority Urban Grants program awards public agencies, schools and school districts and 501c3 nonprofits funding that encourages residents to explore the outdoors and offers environmental education programs to the local community.

Keep reading to learn about Urban Grants program recipients, their projects which took place in 2024 and the strides they are making to bridge the gap between local communities and nature.