Your Nature News & Events from the Open Space Authority
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FEBRUARY 2026 | NEWS & EVENTS
We care for nature, so nature can care for you.
📽️ Featured Video: Linking Landscapes for Wildlife🔗⛰️
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) board has approved a contractto jumpstart design and planning for new wildlife crossing structures in Coyote Valley.This project is a major step toward connecting habitat between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and creating safe passage for species like mountain lions, bobcats and American badgers. The Open Space Authority is proud to support this work alongside our partners at Peninsula Open Space Trust and the City of San José.
Free Nature Events
🌿 Nature is for everyone, and we welcome all to join our events!To register, use the links embedded in each event title below and be part of the experience.
Thursday, January 29: Farm Program Vision Webinar Learn about the Open Space Authority's future vision for preserving working lands and strengthening the local food system in Santa Clara Valley! The Authority's Agricultural Specialist, Anna Regalado, will share the goals of the Farm Program Vision and how input from stakeholders, including farmers, farmworkers and ranchers, will influence the plan.Register for the free webinar hosted by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce here.
Saturday, January 31: Land Stewards Seeding at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Help plant native grassland seeds at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve! The Open Space Authority will continuerestoringnative grasses and wildflowers in the staging area of the preserve, reducing the spread of invasive species to ecologically sensitive areas of the preserve. Reserve your spot for the seeding event here.
Saturday, February 21:Birding Hike In partnership with the Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, this walk up the Bay Checkerspot Trail will offer participants the opportunity to spot birds spending the winter at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. Save your spot for this special birding event.
Saturday, February 21: Starry Nights The Open Space Authority and the San Jose Astronomical Association (SJAA) invite you to a community star party at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Register for the Starry Nights event.
Happy New Year! Throughout 2026, we look forward to continuing to care for your open spaces, shaping the future of Coyote Valley together and offering more opportunities for you to connect with nature. We wish you and your loved ones a year filled with hope, health, happiness and resiliency.Watch this short video to see how we cared for nature and the communities we serve in 2025.
Now Available: Immersive “I Love Nature” Activity Books
Grab your crayons and colored pencilsbecause the Open Space Authority's "I Love Nature” activity book is now available! Immerse yourself in whimsical illustrations of wildlife and brain-teasing puzzles andactivities that will help you, or a young person in your life,forge a deeper connection with nature. Download a free copy of the activity book in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Traditional Chinese.
In the summer of 2025, the Open Space Authoritybegan a pond restoration project at Rancho Cañada del Oro Space Preserve. The three cattle ponds at the center of this project serve as critical habitat for sensitive species, including Northwestern pond turtles, California red-legged frogs and California tiger salamanders. Thanks tothe hard work of staff and volunteers, the restoration phase is now complete and the project has entered the monitoring phase.Learn how the Authority restored the ponds to protect local wildlife.
New Year, No Fears!
Are you worried about ticks? Do you get a little anxious at the thought of seeing a coyote while on a hike? These are very commonfeelings, but they shouldn’t stop you from exploring the outdoors! We recently asked you about your biggest nature fears and are clearing up the biggest misconceptions to help you enjoy nature in a safe and prepared manner. Read our blog post to squash your nature fears!
The most-clicked link in last month's newsletter was a video from NBC's Comunidad del Valle highlighting the importance of Coyote Valley and how you can get involved in the next phase of the planning process. Watch the video here.
Upcoming Public Meetings
The Open Space Authority public meetings are held in a hybrid format, giving you the flexibility to attend in-person, via Zoom teleconference or watch on YouTube.
Thursday, February 12: Land Use & Stewardship Committee | 5:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 26: Board of Directors | 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 about our Tribal Partnerships.
Photo Credits: Linking Landscapes: David Mauk; Future Conservation Leaders: Guadalupe River Park Conservancy; Sprucing Up Ponds: Avery Cruz; Nature Fears: E. Stearns
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