FREE NATURE EVENTS

Nature is for everyone, and all are welcome at events.
We ask attendees to join us in respecting nature, wildlife and each other.
Please register when required.

Remember that we have a full library of recorded virtual events to enjoy any time! 
See all our past program recordings here!

VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS: WEED PULLING PARTY!
Saturday, March 22  |  9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Máyyan 'Ooyákma  – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Join the Open Space Authority to help help remove invasive species at the staging area of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge! We will be continuing our work to restore native grasses and wildflowers in the staging area to reduce the spread of invasive species in the ecologically sensitive areas of the preserve. Sign up for the event on our volunteer portal..

WALKING ON WEDNESDAYS
A wellness experience for the grieving
Wednesdays, April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30  |  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Máyyan 'Ooyákma  – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Whether you lost someone yesterday or years ago, sometimes the best thing to do is just be with people who understand. Come take a gentle walk with us and begin to heal in nature at this beautiful location. Join us for a series of low impact, low social pressure and healing nature experiences every Wednesday in March. Talking about your loss is optional, and everyone is welcome. Sign up for one or multiple walks here.

WELCOME TO SPRING: A VIRTUAL PROGRAM
Friday, April 4  |  12 noon to 12:30 p.m.
Zoom

Join our education team on an exciting virtual introduction to spring. Find out which parks and preserves have the best flowers, and discover what’s going on with all those critters! Say hello to spring at this lunchtime webinar! Register for this online event here.

APRIL GUIDED HIKES: 3 MILES
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26  |  11:30 a.m. or 12:30 a.m.
Sundays, April 6, 13, 20, 27  |  11:30 a.m. or 12:30 a.m.
Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Join the Open Space Authority for a 3-mile, out-and-back guided hike at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve! Throughout weekends in the spring, the public will only be able to access trails within the preserve's Habitat Protection Area by signing up for a guided hike. This helps to protect the sensitive and delicate plants that grow and butterflies that live within this area. At each of these hikes, visitors will learn about the native wildflower blooms and the rare Bay checkerspot butterfly population found within the preserve. Click here to reserve your spot for a three-mile hike!

APRIL GUIDED HIKES: 5 MILES
Saturdays, April 5, 12, 19, 26  |  10:30 a.m.
Sundays, April 6, 13, 20, 27  |  10:30 a.m.
Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Join the Open Space Authority for a 5-mile full-loop guided hike at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve! Throughout weekends in the spring, the public will only be able to access trails within the preserve's Habitat Protection Area by signing up for a guided hike. This helps to protect the sensitive and delicate plants that grow and butterflies that live within this area. At each of these hikes, visitors will learn about the native wildflower blooms and the rare Bay checkerspot butterfly population found within the preserve. Click here to reserve your spot for a five-mile hike!

SPRECKELS HILL: WATER, WILDLIFE, AND CONNECTIVITY HIKE
Friday, April 18  |  5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Spreckels Hill, Coyote Valley

Join the Open Space Authority for an engaging evening hike to explore a Coyote Valley property not yet open to the public. We invite you to this cherished space to witness, first-hand, our shared values of watershed protection, wildlife habitat, working lands and connecting people to nature! The walk itself will be a gentle 0.5-mile climb up a lovely spiral trail, ending in a beautiful 360 view of Coyote Valley. Bring good walking shoes, some water and a camera to capture what your memories won’t forget. Register for this evening hike here.

EARTH DAY CELEBRATION AT MÁYYAN 'OOYÁKMA  – COYOTE RIDGE
Saturday, April 19  |  10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

Join the Open Space Authority and our partners as we celebrate Earth Day in one of the Santa Clara Valley’s most biodiverse preserves! Drop in for an assortment of activities sure to please a variety of audiences. We’ll have children’s activities, guided birdwatching walks for families and more! Register for this fun, free, family-friendy community event here.

STARRY NIGHTS
Saturday, April 19  |  9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Join the Open Space Authority and the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) for a star party at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve! Docent astronomers will set up their telescopes to help you get the most knowledge and enjoyment out of the dark starry night sky. Sign up for this event here.

Make Your Voice Heard: Trail Survey

You're invited to participate in the trail planning process! The Open Space Authority is building on the momentum of the recently-opened Llagas Creek Bridge and Hidden Meadow Loop Trail at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve by kicking off regional trail planning for the southern portion of the preserve, including an area formerly known as Blair Ranch. Click here to take the brief survey and share how you currently access and how you would like to access this new space within the preserve. This public survey closes April 6, 2025.

Virtual Open House: Introduction to Grants
Tuesday, April 29 |  11:00 a.m. to 12 noon
Hosted on Zoom

The Open Space Authority is hosting a free virtual open house for beginners who want to learn about grants. It will cover finding funding opportunities, the basics of fiscal sponsorships and what to expect when writing and managing a grant. This session is optional and aimed at those with little experience in grant seeking or organizations without a nonprofit status. Register for this online event here.

From the Field: From Small Wins, Bloom Big Hopes

Exciting news! For the first time, a single threatened fragrant fritillary—a delicate perennial flower—was discovered by one of our volunteers in a new location in Coyote Valley. This special species is included in the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan, (fun fact: it's also the star of the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency logo) and this sighting is a testament to the power of conservation efforts. A thrilling reminder of nature's resilience, this discovery gives hope for the fritillary's continued recovery.

Investing in Nature

The Open Space Authority is considering placing a funding measure before voters in 2026 to help meet the increased need for nature-based protection for the communities we serve and for nature itself. Read our Draft Expenditure Plan here to learn about the proposed projects and programs to protect, restore, maintain and manage a growing network of protected open space, wildlife habitat, water resources and agricultural lands in Santa Clara Valley. Do you have feedback on our future priorities? Contact us and let us know!

Bay Area Bountiful

Check out the latest “Bay Area Bountiful” segment featuring the important riparian habitat restoration work of Open Space Authority staff alongside our partners from Point Blue Conservation Science in Coyote Valley. The segment highlights the role of women in conservation and can be watched online on YouTube or the Northern California Public Media website. 

Upcoming Public Meetings

The Open Space Authority public meetings are a hybrid of in-person/virtual meetings. Members of the public have the option to attend the meetings in-person or via Zoom teleconference. Please view our Public Meetings webpage to view agendas and more details.

Citizens' Advisory Committee
Monday, March 24 |  6:30 p.m.

Board of Directors
Thursday, March 27 |  6:30 p.m.

Land Use and Stewardship Committee
Thursday, April 10 |  5:30 p.m.

Board of Directors
Thursday, April 24 |  6:30 p.m.