News!

Stinkwort Success

Land Steward volunteers havenearly struck invasive stinkwort from Spreckels Hill! Read on to learn more about the successful efforts of our super stinkwort-removing champions.

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.

Laguna Seca Transferred Into Public Ownership

November 14, 2024 - The Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has announced the transfer of 376 acres of land in North Coyote Valley to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. Keep reading to learn more about this historic milestone.

Coyote Valley Photo Contest: Meet the People's Choice Winner!

The Open Space Authority's 2024 open house events invited community members to learn all about the latest Understanding Coyote Valley: Existing Conditions Report, provide input on the future planning of the region and vote on their favorite winning photo from the Picturing Coyote Valley photo contest.

Keep scrolling to meet the winner of the photo contest's People's Choice category and view some highlights from the open house events.

The Negative Impacts of Illegal Dumping

While driving down Santa Teresa Boulevard in Coyote Valley, you'll likely see golden fields, farmland and maybe even a coyote or two. Unfortunately, it’s also likely that you may see a random pile of trash, broken household appliances, discarded mattresses and construction debris.

Illegal dumping, or the inappropriate disposal of unwanted items and hazardous waste, is a persistent issue that negatively impacts humans, the surrounding environment and the wildlife that live in the area. Throughout Coyote Valley in particular, contaminated dirt and other construction debris piles are left on the side of the road in areas that may look like open fields, but in fact are valuable wildlife habitats.

Keep reading to learn how illegal dumping is a cause for concern and what can be done to minimize its effect.

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.

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. 

Message from the General Manager

Dear Friends,

We are only one month into 2024 and already there is much to celebrate!

Keep reading for the full February update from Andrea Mackenzie, the General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority! 

Behind-the-Scenes at  Máyyan ‘Ooyákma Coyote Ridge (Spring 2023)

Every year thousands of people sign up for Open Access Days at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. 2023 was different - with construction and trail building in full swing, the Open Space Authority hosted preserve access in the form of unprecedented volunteer efforts to build the trails at this preserve. The new preserve will officially unveil to the public in Fall 2023, but in the meantime, here are a few behind-the-scenes photos to enjoy from Spring 2023.

Helen Chapman fights to save San Jose’s open space

Growing up, Helen Chapman was surrounded by acres of nature in Orinda. That’s when her passion for preserving open space began. And now, as the chair of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Chapman is its steward and Coyote Valley is her crown jewel.