News!

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.

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.

A Silent Spring?

Look around. Is there a particular scenic hillside you cherish, an old oak tree that provides you shade or lifts your spirits, a farm field filled with pumpkins you pass on your way home each fall?Perhaps there’s a local creek or wetland, colorful meadows of wildflowers or birdsongs that fill your heart each spring? What special outdoor space brings you joy or peace – or both?

Now imagine if it wasn’t there. That this was a silent spring.  

Keep reading for the full 2024 Earth Day message from Andrea Mackenzie, General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. 

Staff Spotlight: Matt Freeman

After 12 years of service to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Assistant General Manager Matt Freeman has announced his retirement from the agency. Keep reading to learn how Matt's 30-year career in land conservation, open space planning and resource management is leaving a legacy for the benefit of future generations.  

Another Win for Agriculture in Santa Clara County

79 acres of important farmland permanently protected in San Martin 

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authorityhas purchasedan Agricultural Conservation Easement (ACE) for 79 acres of important farmland, locatedin a priority conservation area off Monterey Highway in San Martin. The farmland, initially anticipated to become a residential subdivision, has been in agricultural production for over 55 years, and is now permanently protected for agricultural use. 

Message from the General Manager

Dear Friends,

We are only one month into 2024 and already there is much to celebrate!

Keep reading for the full February update from Andrea Mackenzie, the General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority! 

Wildlife Grammy Awards

Ah, the GRAMMY Awards. This annual event presents what many regard to be the most prestigious and significant awards in the music industry worldwide. But while everyone else gushes about Best New Artist and debates who was robbed of Album of the Year, we’re celebrating a very different category of music...  

Keep reading to discover ten of Santa Clara Valley’s most talented wildlife musicians.

Honoring Dr. King's Environmental Legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated the third Monday each January in recognition of Dr. King’s incredible life and legacy as a civil rights leader. Many are aware of Dr. King’s lifelong pursuit of equal rights, but did you know the impact of his work continues to this day through the environmental justice movement? 

Wildlife Thesaurus: Top 10 Native Animals with Nicknames

There are many different names you could use to refer to the animal species that live in Santa Clara Valley's open spaces! You can refer to them by their scientific names or their common names, but common names can get confusing when species have many that are used interchangeably.