News!

25 Years of Protecting Open Space: Interview with Founding Leader, Mike Honda

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.

• Mike Honda - Former US Congressman, CA Assemblymember, and Santa Clara County Supervisor

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

Connecting People to Nature:  Authority Board Approves Public Access Projects

The Open Space Authority manages and maintains a network of over 22,000 acres of open space lands. These open spaces provide opportunities to protect and restore important habitats and natural resources balanced with public access. Through a new guided tour program, the Authority will provide the public a chance to learn more about the lands that are on their way to becoming open space preserves. These tours will allow the public guided access while we determine the best longer-term access plan for each preserve.

New Open Space Explorers Summer Day Program

Know any kids that are looking for opportunities to get outside? This summer, we’re excited to introduce Open Space Explorers, a new summer day program offering school-age kids and their families the chance to get outside and learn about nature.

A Birdwatcher’s Guide to Coyote Valley

One of the best spots for birdwatching in Santa Clara County is the Coyote Valley. The open spaces in and around Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve include important habitat for wildlife including more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds.

Measure Q Grant Programs Award Nearly $1 million to 21 Projects

San Jose, CA - June 19, 2018: The Authority’s Board of Directors has awarded $938,511 of funding for 21 grants in the 2017-2018 grant cycle for both the Measure Q Urban Open Space and Environmental Education Grant Programs. The projects and programs span the Authority’s jurisdiction and focus on environmental restoration, parks and trails, urban agriculture, and environmental education programs that teach about nature’s health benefits, natural resources, water, and agriculture. The $938,511 in grant awards leverages more than $2 million in matching funds from the grantee organizations for a total urban open space investment of just under $3 million.

Making a Difference in Our Urban Communities - Measure Q Grant Programs

When Measure Q was passed by voters in 2014, the Open Space Authority made a bigger commitment to invest in nature within our communities, and so the Measure Q Urban Open Space and Environmental Education Grant Programs were created. In its first year, the Urban Open Space Grant Program awarded over $1.5 million in funding to 15 different organizations and the Authority was excited to see so many inspiring projects bringing nature to our neighborhoods. Now, a year later, those organizations are making a difference in our urban communities. Below are just two examples that underscore the benefits our grantees bring to our urban communities.

Summer Family Fun in Nature

Finger painting scenes of nature – Plein Air Finger painting workshop on May 5, 2018 at Alviso Adobe Park, Milpitas.

As part of our mission, we encourage people to connect with nature, and better yet – to bring their families.

The Authority leads many community events in our local parks and open space preserves each month, many of which are kid-friendly and open to all ages. From nature walks, wildlife and stargazing demonstrations, arts and crafts, picnics, and more, providing opportunities for kids to get outside and explore nature are at the heart of the Authority’s summer programming.

The Authority heads Out on the Openroad June 24th

Public-Private Partnership Secures Key Open Space Lands for Wildlife and Public Access

Two purchases preserve and protect important South Bay watershed lands, connect multiple parks and preserves

The Power of Partnerships