News!

Cities of the Future: New Report Highlights Green Urban Planning

The impacts of climate change are intensifying rapidly and as populations continue to grow, there is an increasing need to make our cities more adaptable to the needs of the future.

Open Space Authority’s Measure T Approved by Voters

Measure T, the Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure, has been passed by 81% of voters and has secured funding for the Open Space Authority to protect open spaces for future generations. Thanks to you, the voters, we can renew our commitment to investing in nature in communities and providing Santa Clara Valley residents with more equitable access to nature while stewarding our beautiful open spaces forever.

Inspiring Conservation: General Manager Andrea Mackenzie Named One of 2020’s “Women of Influence”

Earlier this year, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s General Manager, Andrea Mackenzie, was named as one of the top 2020 “Women of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Open Space Authority and Peninsula Open Space Trust Complete Purchase of 235 Acres in North Coyote Valley

$16 Million Acquisition Finalizes Protection of 937 Acres with Support from California’s Wildlife Conservation Board and State Coastal Conservancy

Community Planning Process Launches Today with Online Questionnaire

SAN JOSÉ, Calif. (August 3, 2020) – Today, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) announced the completed purchase of a 235-acre parcel in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area.

Seizing a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Preserve San Jose's Last Great Landscape, Coyote Valley

$93.5M investment is first for natural infrastructure protection in California, providing water safeguards for citizens of San Jose and securing critical "last chance" wildlife corridor between mountain ranges.

Acting Locally to Fight Climate Change

From last month’s youth-led Global Climate Strike, to the sobering new UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports, the issue of climate change has been a steady presence in the news and at the top of mind for many of us recently. Climate change is increasing the frequency, severity, and unpredictability of storms, flooding, drought, and wildfire. As we have seen, the recurring economic and social costs of responding to these disasters are immense. This renewed attention couldn’t come soon enough as climate experts warn that time is running out to take action.

Greening Urban Spaces to Improve Habitat & Build Climate Resilience

Our urban landscape is a challenging place for native plants and wildlife to thrive. The sea of asphalt and pavement on our streets and sidewalks, as well as concrete, glass, and steel structures disrupt the movement of animals and provide barriers to the growth and dispersal of native plants, critical for urban biodiversity.  Urban infrastructure has replaced vital “green” infrastructure that can help offset the loss of wildlife habitat.  

Coyote Valley Conservation Program Bill Lays Groundwork for a More Climate Resilient Future

Coyote Valley Conservation Program Bill Introduced by Assemblymember Ash Kalra Lays the Groundwork for a More Climate Resilient Future
AB 948 highlights statewide importance of protecting Coyote Valley

Partnering to Leverage Conservation Funding

The Open Space Authority has recently been recognized and funded for our bold work linking nature based solutions and collaborative conservation to climate resilience and for connecting the protection of agricultural lands from sprawl as a climate-smart planning effort. Learn more about these awards and grants below.

New land deal links 31,000 acres of open space south of San Jose

Authored by Paul Rogers and published in The Mercury News November 27, 2018. Photo by Noel Thurlow.

SAN JOSE — As open space deals go, the property is small. But its impact could be big.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust, a non-profit group based in Palo Alto, announced Tuesday it has closed a deal to purchase 159 acres in the rural foothills of Santa Clara County between Almaden Reservoir and Loma Prieta, the tallest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains.