Your Nature News & Events from the Open Space Authority
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JANUARY 2026 | NEWS & EVENTS
We care for nature, so nature can care for you.
📽️ Featured Video: Planning the future of Coyote Valley 🌱🐸💚
Coyote Valley was recently highlighted onNBC Bay Area's Comunidad del Valle! Nick Perry, the Open Space Authority's Coyote Valley Project Director, sat down with NBC's Damian Trujillo for an intimate conversation about the importance of Coyote Valley and how you can get involved in the next phase of the planning process.
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.
Saturday, December 20: Birding in North Coyote Valley Join the Open Space Authority at Laguna Seca, a seasonal wetland in North Coyote Valley, for a birding adventure! Participants, with the help of knowledgeable docents, will look for native and migratory birds including yellow-billed magpies, hawks and eagles. Sign up to discover more birds!
Saturday, January 10: 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.
Sunday, January 11:Birding at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve Come explore open space and spot birds in their native habitat during a stroll at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve! Docents from the Authority will help attendees identify seasonal species and answer your questions about birds that live in and migrate through the region. All birder levels are welcome. Reserve your spot for the birding event.
Saturday, January 17: Owl Prowl at Alum Rock Park Step onto the trail after dark to explore the unique nighttime world of owls! Participants will learn how these remarkable hunters survive in low light, communicate with mates and care for their young. Knowledgeable Open Space Authority docents will lead a stroll through the park to help hear and, potentially, spot owls going about their nightly routine. Join the owl prowl here.
Tuesday, January 20: The Future of Agriculture in Santa Clara Valley Webinar The Open Space Authority will present an update on the progress of our Agricultural Strategic Plan during a webinar hosted by the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce. The Authority's Agricultural Specialist, Anna Regalado, will share information about the goals of the plan and how input from the public and important stakeholders, including farmers, farmworkers and ranchers will influence the plan. Click here to register for the free webinar.
Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a joyous start to 2026! In the new year, we hope nature continues to bring you peace, clarity and connection. Stay tuned for many exciting things to come, including fun learning events, new projects that make it easier for people to visit nature and more opportunities to get outdoors.
Now Recruiting: New Volunteers!
Do you love nature and meeting new people? The Open Space Authority currently seeks new volunteers who will represent the Authority in the community and use interpretive techniques to teach others about nature and open space. Trainings for new volunteers will take place on January 10 and February 22. Sign up for the training and become a member of our 2026 volunteer cohort!
Apply Now! District 5 Director Opening
The Open Space Authority Board of Directors seeks to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of office of District 5 Director. Qualified candidates must be at least 18 years of age, registered to vote in Santa Clara County and live within the boundaries of the Authority's District 5. The appointed individual will serve the remainder of a term that expires on December 4, 2026. Interested and qualified applicants can apply here.
Climate Smart Approves Natural & Working Lands Element
On December 2, the San José City Council approved updates made to the Climate Smart San José (Climate Smart) plan, including the Natural & Working Lands Element (NWL). Climate Smart outlines how the City of San José will reduce air pollution, save water and improve the quality of life of residents. In collaboration with the City, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority developed the NWL which emphasizes the importance of preserving open space and local agriculture for the benefit of all people and wildlife in the region. Explore our overview of the NWL here.
Natural Solutions to Extreme Weather
As we continue to experience an increase in extreme weather events, such as intense rainstorms and flooding, open space has the potential to shield us from harm. Nature, the leading international weekly journal of science, recently published an article by renowned author Erica Gies about Coyote Valley's unique landscape and natural flood protection powers. Learn how cities are turning to nature as a powerful defense.
Bridging Badger Burrows
Did you know that American badgers are native to the Bay Area? These grassland-loving creatures are somewhat elusive, but our recent research demonstrates that American badgers are actually quite active as they move throughout the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range. These findings will help us understand how to improve American badger habitat and safeguard this special species as they continue to face urban obstacles. Explore photos, maps and models of our American badger findings through this story map.
The most-clicked link in last month's newsletter was a short video celebrating the finalized agreement between the Open Space Authority and the City of Morgan Hill which will provide future public access to El Toro Peak. Click here to watch (or rewatch) the video.
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, January 8: 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: Coyote Valley: Derek Neumann; New Volunteers: Kat Hill; Natural Solutions: Nick Perry
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