--- title: The Authority Awarded Certificate of Excellence for Transparency description: The Open Space Authority received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the SDLF for transparency and good governance. image: https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/CRID%20-%20Sunrise%20landscape%20-%20D-Mauk%20-%202021-05-09%20-%202.jpeg --- # The Authority Awarded Certificate of Excellence for Transparency Back to Home ![](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/CRID%20-%20Sunrise%20landscape%20-%20D-Mauk%20-%202021-05-09%20-%202.jpeg) On Friday, June 18th, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence by the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance.  “This award is a testament to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s commitment to open government,” said Andrea Mackenzie, General Manager. “I am proud of our agency’s dedication to transparency and contributions that empower the public with information and facilitate engagement and oversight.”   To receive the award, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority demonstrated the completion of essential governance transparency requirements, including conducting ethics training for all board members, properly conducting open and public meetings, and filing financial transactions and compensation reports to the State Controller in a timely manner.   **About SDLF**  SDLF is an independent, non-profit organization formed to promote good governance and best practices among California’s special districts through certification, accreditation, and other recognition programs.   **About special districts**  Special districts are independent public agencies that deliver core local services to communities, such as water, wastewater treatment, fire protection, parks and recreation, healthcare, sanitation, mosquito abatement, ports, libraries, public cemeteries and more. Districts are established by voters and their funding is approved by voters to meet specific needs through focused service. They can be specially molded to serve large regions or small neighborhoods depending on the need.  July 07, 2021 ## Categories - [Coyote Valley](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/coyote-valley) - [Urban Open Spaces](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-spaces) - [Wildlife](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/wildlife) - [Open Space Authority Initiatives](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/open-space-authority-initiatives) - [Events](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/events) - [Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/agriculture) - [Green Infrastructure](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/green-infrastructure) - [Land Acquisitions](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/land-acquisitions) - [Urban Open Space Corner](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/urban-open-space-corner) - [Policy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/policy) - [Environmental Justice](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/environmental-justice) - [Community Connections](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/community-connections) - [Restoration](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/restoration) - [Staff Spotlight](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/staff-spotlight) - [Fires](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/fires) - [30th Anniversary](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/30th-anniversary) - [Sustainable Agriculture](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/topic/sustainable-agriculture) ## Recent Posts - [Celebrating Healthy Soils Week](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/healthysoils) - [Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/openhouseandpeopleschoice) - [The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/illegaldumping) - [A Silent Spring?](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/earth-day-2024) - [Staff Spotlight: Matt Freeman](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/matt-freeman) - [Another Win for Agriculture in Santa Clara County](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/yiu-ace-2024) - [Message from the General Manager](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/gm-update-2024) - [Wildlife Grammy Awards](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-grammys) - [Honoring Dr. King's Environmental Legacy](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/dr-kings-environmental-legacy) - [Wildlife Thesaurus: Top 10 Native Animals with Nicknames](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/blog/wildlife-thesaurus) *For media inquiries contact:* ![](https://news.openspaceauthority.org/hubfs/Blog_2017/interface/images/Charlotte-Graham.jpg) ## Charlotte Graham Public Information Officer [cgraham@openspaceauthority.org](mailto:cgraham@openspaceauthority.org) #### [Preserves](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves.html) [Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyotevalley.html) [Coyote Ridge](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/coyoteridge.html) [Rancho Cañada del Oro](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/rancho.html) [Sierra Vista](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/sierra.html) [Trail Maps](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/open-space-preserve-trail-maps.html) [Conditions & Guidelines](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/conditions-guidelines.html) [Recreation](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/recreation.html) [Events](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/events.html) [Plants & Animals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/preserves/plants-animals.html) #### [Our Work](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work.html) [Planning Coyote Valley](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/planning-coyote-valley.html) [Our Projects](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/conservation-projects.html) [Agriculture](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/agriculture.html) [Land Protection](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-protection.html) [Land Stewardship](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/our-work/land-stewardship.html) #### [Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs.html) [Investing in Nature](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/investing-in-nature.html) [Understanding Our Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/understanding-our-community.html) [Healthy Community](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/healthy-community.html) [Urban Grant Programs](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-grant-programs.html) [Urban Success Stories](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/urban-success-stories.html) [Environmental Education](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/programs/environmental-education.html) #### [Volunteers](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers.html) [Get Involved](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/get-involved.html) [Individuals](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-individuals.html) [Youth & Community Groups](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-youth-community-groups.html) [Businesses](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-opportunities-for-businesses-team-building.html) [Acknowledgements](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/acknowledgements.html) [Volunteer Login](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/volunteers/volunteer-portal.html) #### [Public Information](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information.html) [Board of Directors](https://www.openspaceauthority.org/public-information/board-of-directors.html) 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