Public-Private Partnership Secures Key Open Space Lands for Wildlife and Public Access

Two purchases preserve and protect important South Bay watershed lands, connect multiple parks and preserves

Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen), and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) today announced the purchase of two properties that for the first time, link more than 31,000 acres of protected lands in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains. These properties, located just south of Almaden Reservoir, establish a permanently protected corridor between Midpen’s Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve and the Authority’s Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve; and they expand the network of open space that includes Calero and Almaden Quicksilver County Parks (see map below). These purchases are supported by significant grants from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Measure AA bond funds and POST donors.

POST, in partnership with the Authority, has purchased a 326-acre property which provides drinking water for San Jose, contains almost all of the Barrett Creek watershed with more than a mile of largely intact stream and includes 60 acres of beautiful coast live oak forest. The property will require significant clean-up and restoration prior to being opened to the public. As part of its conservation efforts, POST will remove unused and uninhabitable structures on the property to reduce any threats to the Barrett Creek watershed. POST has entered into a license and management agreement with the Authority and is contracted to transfer the land to them within two years.

Barrett Creek

Midpen has concurrently purchased a connecting 154-acre parcel as an addition to its Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve. The property serves as an important wildlife corridor connecting adjacent open space lands and features oak woodland, grassland and chaparral. It also includes nearly one mile of sensitive riparian woodland along Alamitos and Barrett Creeks, which converge on the property before draining into Almaden Reservoir. To improve drinking water quality and wildlife habitat, Midpen will complete the process of removing a complex of vacant creekside cabins deemed uninhabitable by Santa Clara County.

“Preserving the health of our watersheds that provide clean drinking water to San Jose and creating effective linkages across the land for wildlife are two of the most important factors in creating a landscape that will provide environmental benefits to all of us in the face of a changing climate,” said Walter T. Moore, president of POST. “The opportunity to link these remarkable preserves for human recreation was another key motivator. Our 326-acre purchase provides tremendous benefits to the residents of San Jose and surrounding communities.”

“I am thrilled with the prospect of connecting the preserves,” stated Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Authority. “This strategic acquisition will enable us to continue to implement the goals set forth in our Santa Clara Valley Greenprint. We will be able to protect and manage interconnected networks of open space lands for outdoor recreation and the enjoyment of our residents, as well as protect critical wildlife corridors and natural resources. This is an excellent example of public and private partners collaborating on a greater goal to protect the Valley’s beautiful open spaces. We look forward to managing this property and opening a connection between Sierra Azul and Rancho Cañada del Oro preserves.”

“Preserving this property aligns with Midpen’s mission and the community’s vision of restoring our watersheds, protecting wildlife corridors and extending trails that allow people to explore their local natural lands,” said Midpen’s Acting General Manager Ana Ruiz. “This property lies at the convergence of two major year-round creeks, surrounded by protected open space, providing an incredible opportunity to improve threatened drinking water quality and eventually connect trail systems for public enjoyment.”

The budget for the POST-Authority project is $2.02 million; $1.57 million for the purchase and $450,000 for the clean-up operation. POST and the Authority will each contribute $560,000, with the remaining $900,000 coming in a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation.

Midpen purchased its property for $2.8 million using Measure AA funds, offset by a $750,000 grant, also from the Moore Foundation.