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OPEN SPACE AUTHORITY DECEMBER 2024 NEWS & EVENTS
We care for nature, so nature can care for you. Visit our website to discover the countless benefits of investing in nature to secure a better future for all.
Laguna Seca Wetlands
Now Officially in Public Ownership
376-acres of historic land in North Coyote Valley was recently transferred from Peninsula Open Space Trust to the Open Space Authority. This freshwater wetland area, known as Laguna Seca, is a key to building and maintaining climate resilience in Santa Clara Valley. Click here to learn more about this significant milestone and how the Open Space Authority's actions to permanently protect the land will benefit the public and local wildlife.
Bay Area Ridge Trail Update
The Bay Area Ridge Trail Council recently announced that the Bay Area Ridge Trail will re-route to include more Open Space Authority lands, including Rancho Cañada del Oro. Once dedicated, visitors will be able to access over fiveadditional miles of Ridge Trail on Open Space Authority preserves. This news coincides with Santa Clara County's efforts to update its Countywide Trails Master Plan which aims to create a comprehensive network of regional, sub-regional and connector trails throughout Santa Clara County. Watch this segment from the Open Space Authority's Board Meeting foradditional information about this exciting update.
Stinkwort Removal Success
Thanks to the consistent hard work of volunteers and staff members over the last four years, the amount of stinkwort growing on lands managed by the Open Space Authority decreased from 12 acres to less than one acre! Stinkwort, an invasive plant named for its strong pine-sol like odor, is toxic to all grazing animals and a barrier to native plants being able to thrive within their habitats. Learn more about stinkwort and the efforts made to remove it here.
This Is Our Moment. Join Us!
Andrea Mackenzie, the Open Space Authority's general manager, shares a hopeful and reflective message about the future of the agency and how, together, we will continue to care for and invest in nature to create a better future for all. Read Andrea's full message here.
FREE NATURE EVENTS
Nature is for everyone, and all are welcome at events. We ask attendees to join us in respecting nature, wildlife and each other. Please register when required.
Remember that we have a full library of recorded virtual events to enjoy any time! See all our past program recordings here!
WALKING ON WEDNESDAYS A wellness experience for widows and widowers
Wednesdays, December 4, 11 & 18 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Spreckels Hill Barn on Santa Teresa Blvd. & Bailey Ave.
After losing a partner or spouse, it can be very difficult to get back out into the world. It may feel as though the only people who understand are those who have been through it. What better place to begin to heal together than in the beauty of nature? Join us for a series of low impact, low social pressure and healing nature experiences every Wednesday in November. Sign up for one or multiple walks here.
NATIONAL PLAY OUTSIDE DAY Saturday, December 7 | 10:00 a.m. to noon Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve
Join the Open Space Authority for some family-friendly fun on a cool winter day. Attendees will make bubbles, participate in arts and crafts projects and take short hikes within the central gathering area of the preserve. Children of all ages are welcome! Reserve your spot here to unleash your inner child.
MEET THE RANCHER Tuesday, December 17 | noon to 1:00 p.m. Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
Join the Open Space Authority at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve to meet Allan Renz, a fifth generation cattle rancher. He'll be sharing about his life and experience working in Silicon Valley within the agriculture industry. Click here to save your spot for this educational lunchtime event!
WINTER WONDERLAND WALK Saturday, December 21 | 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Little Uvas Creek
Come discover the beauty of open space during the winter on this moderately paced guided hike through the meadows and around the ponds of Little Uvas Creek. Together, we'll search for critters and discover the joys of nature in the wintertime. Sign up for the event here.
In Other News...
Apply for the Citizens' Advisory Committee The Open Space Authority's Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) is looking to fill two vacancies, a District 6 Representative and an At Large Representative. Representatives are expected to represent their communities and provide input to agency initiatives through June 30, 2025. Click here to apply by December 8, 2024.
Mercury News Highlights Photo Contest's People's Choice Winner Sunny Mar, the People's Choice category winner of the Open Space Authority's Picturing Coyote Valley photo contest, was recently featured in an article from The Mercury News. Check out the article here to view the winning photo and learn how Sunny captured it.
Celebrating Healthy Soils Week Healthy Soils Week, celebrated from December 2 to 6, 2024, brings awareness to the importance of healthy soil practices for sustainable food, water, air and biodiversity. Click here to learn more about healthy soil practices, how the Open Space Authority implements these practices and how you can create healthy soil at your home.
Wet Weather Tips As the weather changes and we venture into colder temperatures, it's important to remember how to navigate nature during the wet weather season. Click here to learn how to stay safe while exploring local open spaces and parks when things start to get a bit muddy.
Upcoming Public Meetings
The Open Space Authority public meetings are a hybrid of in-person/virtual meetings. Members of the public have the option to attend the meetings in-person or via Zoom teleconference. Please view our Public Meetings webpage to view agendas and more details.
Board of Directors Thursday, December 12 | 6:30 p.m.
We acknowledge that the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority works within lands that were originally stewarded by the Awaswas-, Chochenyo-, Mutsun- and Thámien-speaking peoples. Today we are honored to partner with the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area and the Tamien Nation in our shared work to protect and restore the environment and connect people to land. Learn more.
Photo Credits: A Season of Gratitude – Derek Neumann; Stinkwort removal a success – Kat Hill; National Play Outside Day– David Mauk; Walking on Wednesdays – David Mauk; Meet the Rancher – Charlotte Graham; Winter Wonderland Walk – Annamarie Pilon; Healthy Soils Week – David Mauk.
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