This is our moment. Join us!

Andrea Mackenzie, the general manager for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, shares a reflective and hopeful message about the future of the agency as well as our commitment to caring for nature to benefit the people and wildlife who live in the Santa Clara Valley. Scroll to keep reading the message.

As 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on the year that has passed and what lies ahead. November is traditionally a season when we take pause to embrace the power of gratitude. Despite many other uncertainties, I can say with confidence that I am profoundly grateful to the citizens of the Santa Clara Valley who have consistently rallied to support the mission and work of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. One thing is clear: People need nature.  

But nature needs us too. Where we currently stand, countless species are hovering on the brink of extinction and the circumstances are undeniably challenging. It is with urgency and compassion that the Open Space Authority is intensifying our efforts to make a meaningful impact in combating climate change though nature-based strategies.

When we care for nature, nature cares for everyone, and we continue our work to leave a beautiful and habitable planet for current and future generations to come. Clean drinking water, breathable air, protection against wildfires, floods and droughts, connected lands for wildlife to survive and thrive, healthy locally grown food to feed our families and places to enjoy the beauty of nature – this is what nature provides, and we are working hard to protect this here in the Santa Clara Valley.  

Your trust and action have allowed the Open Space Authority to protect 30,000 acres of precious natural and working ranches and farmlands. Your unwavering support has also allowed us to deliver $14.7 million to bring nature to your neighborhoods through our Urban Grants program. These critical investments enrich the lives of Santa Clara Valley residents, especially in historically marginalized communities, so families and people of all ages and abilities can experience natural wonders in their everyday lives.  

Together, we have invested $120 million in public funds and grants to permanently safeguard, plan and rejuvenate over 1,500 acres of valley-floor lands in Coyote Valley, between the cities of San José and Morgan Hill. These lands are a top conservation priority for the Open Space Authority, guided by the Santa Clara Valley Greenprint, and preserved thanks to the unwavering dedication of partners, policymakers, scientists, advocates and community members.  

Of course, despite these achievements, there are still areas within and around places like Coyote Valley that remain unprotected, where inconsistent land uses threaten the significant investments made to preserve open spaces for wildlife and climate resilience. Thus, we continue our ongoing work to educate and urge policymakers to take action to fight climate change, protect wildlife and secure sustainable solutions for people and nature.  

Hope prevails after the people of California passed Proposition 4 this November, known as the Climate Bond. With its approval, $25 million of the $10 billion total will be dedicated to conservation and restoration work right here in Coyote Valley. Other allocations will support grant programs at the Wildlife Conservation Board and the State Coastal Conservancy, which have historically funded Open Space Authority conservation, restoration and public access projects. Specifically, these funds will be used to increase access to safe drinking water, bolster resilience against floods and droughts, prevent wildfires, protect coastal and bay wetlands, support sustainable farming practices and improve air quality while reducing pollution.

Nature is a gift that keeps on giving. It is here for you, and the Open Space Authority will continue to invest in nature and a brighter future for generations to come.  

In the words of Anne Frank, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  

This is our moment. Join us!