News!

Over $1.7 million awarded for Open Space Conservation and Public Access Projects

It’s a wonderful day for open space: three Open Space Authority projects have been awarded a total of $1,779,394 through the Priority Conservation Area (PCA) Grant Program!

Seizing a Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Preserve San Jose's Last Great Landscape, Coyote Valley

$93.5M investment is first for natural infrastructure protection in California, providing water safeguards for citizens of San Jose and securing critical "last chance" wildlife corridor between mountain ranges.

242-Acre Purchase Completes Tapestry of Connected Open Space in Santa Cruz Mountains

Opportunities for Firebreak Management, Sweeping Views, and New Trail Connections

SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 27, 2019) - Undeveloped and largely untouched, a 242-acre purchase made by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) in partnership with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) completes another pivotal piece of the Santa Cruz Mountains preservation puzzle, opening new possibilities for growing an interconnected trail network.

New Barrett Creek Property in the Santa Cruz Mountains Transferred to the Authority

A new property called Barrett Creek, purchased in partnership with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) has just been transferred to the Open Space Authority for permanent protection and management.

New land deal links 31,000 acres of open space south of San Jose

Authored by Paul Rogers and published in The Mercury News November 27, 2018. Photo by Noel Thurlow.

SAN JOSE — As open space deals go, the property is small. But its impact could be big.

The Peninsula Open Space Trust, a non-profit group based in Palo Alto, announced Tuesday it has closed a deal to purchase 159 acres in the rural foothills of Santa Clara County between Almaden Reservoir and Loma Prieta, the tallest peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Public-Private Partnership Protects Another Key Open Space in the Santa Cruz Mountains

Acquisition expands important linkage between Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve and Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve

PALO ALTO, Calif. (November 27, 2018) – Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) today announced the purchase of a 159-acre property that widens a vital linkage between the Authority’s Rancho Cañada del Oro  and Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s (Midpen’s) Sierra Azul open space preserves. This adjacency provides opportunities for connecting recreation options across the two preserves, while securing wildlife habitat and expanding a protected corridor between Highway 17 and Coyote Valley – a high priority area for both organizations in their shared goal of creating habitat linkages for native wildlife.

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

South County Agriculture Profile: North Pajaro River Agricultural Preserve Restoration Success

The North Pajaro River Agricultural Preserve is a pivotal conservation focus area that has undergone phenomenal changes as it gets a step closer to becoming active agricultural land once again. The 100.6-acre preserve lies within the Soap Lake Floodplain and is bordered by Llagas and Jones Creeks.

Open Space Authority Preserves First Redwood Property, Gifted by McPhee Family

The Julian McPhee family donated a 112-acre property adjacent to Uvas Canyon County Park in the eastern foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. The Authority's Board of Directors previously voted to accept the gift, which will be the Authority's first acquisition that permanently protects part of a majestic redwood forest.