Staff Spotlight - Meet David
David Mauk, Natural Resource Technician at the Open Space Authority, has been a lifelong nature lover, so it only makes sense that he works every day to protect wildlife and the places where wildlife live here in the Santa Clara Valley.
White Butts and Elk Ruts
Bordering Santa Clara Valley to the east is the Diablo Range, which is home to a rare population of tule elk that roam the hillsides. And August through November is a critical time for these animals, because it’s breeding, or rut season!
Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Opens to the public
The 1,859-acre Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve is now open! Five miles of new trails – including a new 3-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and a wide range of accessible experiences – are open for free to hikers on a schedule that balances recreation and nature experiences with the sensitive habitat for the many species that make their home in the preserve’s rare serpentine grasslands.
A visitors guide to Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
Whether you're spending a wonderful day with your loved ones or enjoying some quality time with friends, the Open Space Authority is excited for visitors to experience the beauty of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.
Wildlife of the Ridge
Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife specialized to thrive in this unique landscape, many of which are endemic, or found no where else. The local vegetation and animal life feeds them, the watershed hydrates them, plant cover provides them with shelter, and the uninterrupted open spaces support their larger habitat range as a whole.
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma’s Rare Serpentine Soils: An Enchanting Find in the Bay Area
Many plants, as well as the animals that depend on them, find it extremely challenging to thrive on serpentine soils. This is due to the lack of essential nutrients and water, coupled with the harmful toxins that most plants are unable to tolerate. The few plants that manage to survive under these harsh conditions are often smaller than they otherwise could be with more available nutrients. But there’s one place in the Bay Area where rare species of plants and wildlife thrive amongst undisturbed serpentine grasslands, and that’s Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge.
The Stories Told at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge offers a truly one-of-a-kind preserve experience. With its cultural significance, crucial role in preserving endangered habitats, and remarkably diverse ecosystem, it holds countless captivating stories to share – tales of people and their connection to the land, a continuing journey of habitat restoration, and stories of resilience.
Open Space Authority Awards Nearly $800K to Local Organizations in 30th Anniversary Year
San José, CA (July 21, 2023) – The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s Board of Directors voted to award nearly $800k in Measure Q and Measure T grant funding to six local organizations for the second installment of the 2022 - 2023 cycle of the Urban Grant Program.
How California Agriculture Can Help the Climate Crisis
In late May, the California State Assembly passed AB 408, a bill that holds great promise for supporting climate-resilient agriculture in California. If AB 408 is successfully passed by the Senate, signed by the Governor, and approved by voters or incorporated into another bond measure, it will allow the State to sell bonds that support a range of positive initiatives. These provisions will provide much-needed funding for regenerative agriculture practices, farmland conservation, housing for farmworker communities, access to healthy food for low-income communities, and more.
8 of the Most Interesting Wildlife Parents in the Santa Clara Valley
The Santa Clara Valley is teeming with wildlife, and a surprising number of these species also happen to be dedicated and hardworking parents. With their impressive range of adaptations, these animals display an array of parenting techniques to assist in the survival and success of their offspring. Keep reading to learn more about these animals and their parenting-styles.
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Recent Posts
- Staff Spotlight - Meet David
- White Butts and Elk Ruts
- Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Opens to the public
- A visitors guide to Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
- Wildlife of the Ridge
- Máyyan ‘Ooyákma’s Rare Serpentine Soils: An Enchanting Find in the Bay Area
- The Stories Told at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge
- Open Space Authority Awards Nearly $800K to Local Organizations in 30th Anniversary Year
- How California Agriculture Can Help the Climate Crisis
- 8 of the Most Interesting Wildlife Parents in the Santa Clara Valley
Charlotte Graham
Public Information Officer
cgraham@openspaceauthority.org