News!

In Search of Bats!

Bats are fascinating animals that have long carried a negative reputation. These mysterious flying mammals are often the symbol of spooky season, but are often the subject of superstitions, folklore, and fear. They have also been touted as pests or unclean. In reality, there is little to fear about these animals. They are shy, intelligent creatures that play a vital and underappreciated role in our ecosystem and economy. Keep reading to learn more. 

Coyote Valley: Santa Clara Valley's Green Infrastructure

Just as we invest in traditional urban infrastructure, like transportation and waste and water treatment, strategic investments in nature or green infrastructure can also provide many valuable benefits to our urban communities. These benefits include flood protection, reducing greenhouse gases, increasing access to food, and resilience to climate change for both human and natural communities.

Proposition 3 – the Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018

In July 2018, the Open Space Authority’s Board of Directors voted to endorse Proposition 3. Proposition 3 would authorize $8.8 billion in general obligation bonds for state and local parks, environmental protection and restoration projects, water infrastructure projects, and flood protection projects. The Water Supply and Water Quality Act of 2018 will appear on the November 2018 statewide ballot.

Summer Sunrise Photography in the Preserves

When was the last time you got up before dawn just to enjoy the sunrise? In the blazing heat of the Santa Clara Valley summer, early morning is the perfect time to get out in nature to enjoy cool air and the beautiful morning light, but there’s no doubt it can be hard to get motivated for this without some company.

The Loma Fire: Two Years Later

In the midst of a long and destructive wildfire season here in California and across the West, we are reflecting back on the Loma Fire, a massive fire that burned close to home and continues to be a focus for the Authority, two years later.

On September 26, 2016, the Loma Fire took hold of the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Jose. The fire burned for two weeks across more than 4,400 acres, including 2,000 acres of Authority lands, destroying homes, sensitive wildlife habitat, and native vegetation.

Urban Open Space Corner - September 2018

The Open Space Authority recently attended exciting grand opening events for two of its Urban Open Space Grant projects funded through the Authority's 20% Funding Program. Check out the new trail and park now open to the public below.

Join us in October for the Diablo Foothills Walk, Bike, and Ride Open Weekends

For three consecutive weekends in October and early November, the Open Space Authority will be opening up the currently by-reservation-only Diablo Foothills preserve just south of Gilroy to members of the public.

As part of the Authority’s continued effort to expand public access to its 22,000 acres of managed lands, this event will help our community learn about these protected open spaces, their wildlife and natural resources, and habitat restoration plans.

Join the Junior Open Space Explorers Program

Blast off into nature with our Space Guardians!

Our Field Staff have some very down-to-earth responsibilities that involve the preservation and guardianship of our open spaces as well helping the public, from providing interpretive information and answering questions, to monitoring the trails to help ensure public safety. As you can see in the photo above, they like to have a lot of fun and look forward to meeting you out on the trails. Be sure to stop by and say hello the next time you see them! 

Ever wondered what it takes to be a guardian of our Open Spaces? This August, we’re excited to introduce the next series in the Junior Open Space Explorers Program. This engaging summer day program is for kids and adults to meet our field staff and learn about the tools of the trade.

25 Years of Protecting Open Space: Interview with Founding Leader, John Gibbs

To honor the Open Space Authority's 25th Anniversary, we are celebrating just a few of our key community leaders who worked so hard to establish this agency and get it up and running. We've interviewed these founders to get their perspective on the history of this unique agency and the lessons they learned in protecting our open spaces.

John Gibbs - Former County Board of Supervisors Chief of Staff for Districts 1 & 5

How did you first get involved with what would become the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority?

25 Years of Protecting Open Space: Interview with Founding Leader, Garnetta Annable

To honor the Open Space Authority's 25th Anniversary, we are celebrating just a few of our key community leaders who worked so hard to establish this agency and get it up and running. We've interviewed these founders to get their perspective on the history of this unique agency and the lessons they learned in protecting our open spaces.

Garnetta Annable - Founding Board Member and current Citizens' Advisory Committee member

How did you get your start advocating for environmental causes and/or open space?