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OPEN SPACE OUTLOOK
July 2023
8 Interesting Wildlife Parents of the South Bay
The Santa Clara Valley is teeming with wildlife and each species has its own unique way of rearing young -- some more surprising than others. Click below to learn about some of the most interesting parenting behaviors of the wildlife right in our backyard.
Low-Waste Recreation
Every year, the United States generates millions of tons of waste, causing a variety of negative impacts on the environment and the wellbeing of human and animal communities. In honor of Plastic-Free July, here is our guide to reducing your footprint as you enjoy the outdoors.
Staff Spotlight - Meet Rowan
“I do my best to reduce my waste and carbon footprints, but it's rewarding knowing that when I go to work, I’m doing something positive for the community and planet, too.” Click here to read Open Space Technician Rowan's story.
How California Agriculture Helps the Climate Crisis
Investing in sustainable agriculture is critical to food security, addressing the climate crisis, and sustainable development. How is Santa Clara County working with local farmers to realize this goal? Keep reading to find out.
Volunteer With Us!
We need your help! Join us to prepare for Early Access at Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve! Staff and volunteers will work together to educate visitors about the landscape and responsible recreation, and record feedback about how visitors are experiencing and interacting with the new preserve. To learn more about our Volunteer Program and to get involved at your new preserve, click here.
In other news...
Accessibility Survey - We Want Your Input!
Are you or is someone you know passionate about accessible and inclusive spaces for all? If you are interested in sharing your perspective about accessibility in open space, please complete this survey. Please use the following links for surveys in: English, Español, Tiếng Việt, 中文, and Tagalog.
Volunteer Opportunity: Clean Up at the Palassou House!
Saturday, July 15 | 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Roll up your sleeves and help clean up the historic stone house at Palassou Ridge Preserve! We will clean inside the house and around the exterior as part of our annual maintenance. Learn about this historic building and the beautiful Palassou Ridge Preserve. Register here.
Raptor Encounter in Coyote Valley
Sunday, July 16 | 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Join Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and the Open Space Authority in welcoming master falconer and educator Antonio Balestreri to Laguna Seca in North Coyote Valley! This educational presentation will focus on the roles raptors play in our environment, the day-to-day challenges they face, and of course raptor biology and conservation. Sign up for this unique opportunity to see these rescued and captive-bred raptors up close. Register here.
In case you missed it... HIKING IN THE HEAT
Summer is here, and with it comes the sunshine and heat! Join us for a virtual presentation as we talk about the best ways to stay safe this summer, as well as the natural phenomenon you might see on the trails this season! Watch the recorded webinar here.
Did you know?
Protecting the connections between habitat areas is just as important as protecting the habitat itself.
Many local species, like mountain lions, bobcats, and coyotes, need large amounts of open space for migration, establishing territories, mating, and raising young. Without protected landscapes AND safe pathways to travel between them, wildlife populations cannot survive in the long term.
Just this past week, a deceased mountain lion was found in Coyote Valley on a major thoroughfare. Animals must cross surface roads in this important wildlife corridor in order to survive. While we don’t yet know if this particular animal was struck by a vehicle, we know collisions happen all too frequently, presenting a hazard to wildlife and motorists alike. We ask that you please drive slowly through Coyote Valley, well under the speed limit, to give our furry friends – and your car – a better chance at avoiding a collision.
Learn about wildlife corridors, landscape linkages, and more on our website.
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 and Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area in our shared work to protect and restore the environment and connect people to land. Learn more.
Photo Credits: Mountain lion and cub - OSA Wildlife Camera; Plastic - OSA Archives; Rowan O'Brien - David Mauk; Spade & Plow Organics Farm - Jordan Plotsky; Volunteer - David Mauk; Accessible parking at Coyote Valley - Derek Neumann; Palassou Stone House - OSA Archives; Red-tailed hawk - David Mauk; Hiking in the heat - Marc Bergreen; Bobcat maps - Coyote Valley Bobcat Habitat Preference and Connectivity Report
