Collaborating with the Next Generation of Conservationists
The summer sun was shining against the rolling golden hills of San José as a group of eight high school students worked together over five days to dig holes, insert fence posts into the ground and string wire across a half-mile piece of protected land - all in the name of conservation. This hardworking group from the Student Conservation Association (SCA) completed an impressive fence project where they learned about nature, local wildlife and land management techniques while connecting with their peers.
Picturing Coyote Valley Photo Contest Winners
As a part of the in-progress Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan (CVCAMP) we asked community members to submit photos* that reveal the many unique aspects of this important conservation landscape’s open spaces.
Keep scrolling to view the winners of our first photo contest, Picturing Coyote Valley.
The Benefits of Quiet Recreation
Chatting with a friend or family member on a trail, hiking with a group of people and listening to music can all take our attention away from the beauty and sense of peace that nature can bring into our lives. To help you have a serene and robust experience in nature, consider experimenting with “quiet recreation,” which suggests making a minimal amount of noise while engaging in outdoor activities.
2024 Santa Clara Valley Wildlife Olympics
As athletes from around the world start to arrive in Paris to compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics, we’re choosing our own Olympic team consisting of local wildlife that populates your beautiful preserves!
The strength, agility and tenacity of the insects, mammals and amphibians within our community’s ecosystem remind us of the amazing athletes competing in this summer’s games. Check out our list of wildlife gold-medal “athletes” below and cheer on all the competing athletes when the Olympics begin on July 26!
Spotlight: Loren Lewis
Loren Lewis is the district 5 representative of the Open Space Authority's Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC). CAC members are appointed by the Board to serve two-year terms, and the purpose of the committee is to provide many avenues of input to and from the Open Space Authority's diverse communities. Keep reading to meet Loren and learn about his connection to the open spaces of the Santa Clara Valley.
Llagas Bridge Ribbon Cutting
The new accessible Hidden Meadow Trail at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve is now open for all to enjoy. This project was made possible with $1.12M in funding from State Parks’ Per Capita Program and is an example of how the Open Space Authority is investing in nature. On June 8, 2024, the Open Space Authority's ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the opening of the new bridge and trail, bringing together Bay Area Older Adults, dedicated volunteers and excited visitors.
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.
Protecting the Bay Checkerspot Butterfly
When wildflowers bloom, hills and fields become blanketed with vibrant colors and bring new life into the ecosystem. This new life comes in the form of native pollinators feasting on the wildflower nectar. One of these important creatures is the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis), a federally threatened species that is the focus of ongoing research at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. Keep reading to learn all about their habitat, diet, lifecycle and conservation efforts to protect them!
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.
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Recent Posts
- Stinkwort Success
- Caregiver's Guide to Nature
- Celebrating Healthy Soils Week
- This is our moment. Join us!
- Laguna Seca Transferred Into Public Ownership
- Protecting Monarch Butterflies
- Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!
- The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping
- Spotlight: Honoring Larry Coons
- Celebrating Nature in your neighborhoods