Not rendering correctly? View this email as a web page here.
osa30yrlogo-cmyk

 

OPEN SPACE OUTLOOK

August 2023: Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge

Segmented color bar OSA

New Preserve Opening Soon!
Coyote Ridge Hikers - Ron Horii-1

It's official! Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve will open to the public on Thursday, August 31! Open Space Authority staff and volunteers are thrilled to welcome visitors to this brand-new preserve! 

This preserve is home to rare and sensitive serpentine habitat, so the visitor experience at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge will be unlike any other, including seasonal hours and reservations, boot cleaning stations, and a required Butterfly Pass to hike the trails inside a Habitat Protection Area. Click below to learn about visiting this unique landscape and prepare for your visit.

Read More 
 
CRID - Sunrise - D- Mauk -Jul-20-2018-1-1-1

The Stories Told at
Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge

Each hillside, rockface, flower blossom, and footstep is part of this landscape's story. As visitors traverse the various trails, they will have the opportunity to learn about the preserve's cultural significance, unique species, important management strategies, and much more. There are many stories to tell. 
 
CRID - Tule elk - D-Mauk - 2022-03 - 1-1

Wildlife on the Ridge

Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge's rare serpentine habitat is home to a variety of native wildlife, each contributing to biodiversity and sustaining this sensitive ecosystem. Check out this guide to learn what animals are found here.
 
CRID - Landscape - C.Kifer - 03-17-19 - 9

What is Serpentine Habitat, and Why Do We Need to Protect it?

Only 1% of California's land is serpentine, making it a rare sight! Just a short drive from downtown San José, Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to view and learn about this rare serpentine landscape right in our wild backyard. What makes serpentine so special?
 
SVIS - Landscape - Chelsea Cross - 2021-03 - 8-1

The Unsung Heifers of the Santa Clara Valley

Sustainable conservation grazing is a beneficial and effective land management tool -- when done properly, and it is critical for the sustainability of the lands and wildlife at Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. Click here to learn what these cows can do.
 

Segmented color bar OSA

In other news...
 
Coyote Ridge - Bay Checkerspot Butterfly - CH - 4-9-2011 - 23 (1)

Get Your Butterfly Pass!

The Bay checkerspot butterfly has been eliminated from many local serpentine regions, making this preserve a critical landscape for its survival. Due to the extremely sensitive habitat found throughout Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve, the Open Space Authority is working with visitors to ensure that the rare and threatened species found here can survive and thrive. Click here to get your Butterfly Pass.
 
MOCR - Trail building - C-Graham - 2023-04-06 - 1

OpenRoad with Doug McConnell

Check out the latest episode of OpenRoad with Doug McConnell on NBC Bay Area, featuring all-things Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge. From the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area to the rare Bay checkerspot butterfly, learn what it takes to open a new open space preserve and watch the full episode here.
 
MOCR - preserve sign - A-Pilon - 2023-08 - 2

Know Before You Go!
Visiting hours for Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge will change throughout the year to meet the needs of the preserve's many wildlife residents. Click here to view our Know Before You Go Guide to help plan your visit! See you on the trails.
 
MOCR with Dr Stu Weiss

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)...
The History and Conservation of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge with Dr. Stu Weiss
Learn from Dr. Stu Weiss, a champion for the unique history and conservation significance of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge. Explore the connections that exist between humans, butterflies, plants, and a rare soil type. Enjoy this incredible story from one of the earliest champions and scientific leaders of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge. Watch the recorded webinar here.
 

Did you know?

Native plants and animals work together to survive and thrive! The federally threatened Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis) relies on the native dwarf plantain (Plantego erecta) to provide a food source for their larvae. Dwarf plantain grows in very specific soils and is only found in a few areas, including the rare serpentine grasslands of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.

By staying on designated trails, leaving no trace, and refraining from picking any plants or disturbing wildlife, YOU can help protect the Bay checkerspot and other rare species.

Bay checkerspot caterpillar - Stu Weiss
A Bay checkerspot caterpillar

Segmented color bar OSA

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: Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge hikers - Ron Horii; Sunrise - David Mauk; Tule elk - David Mauk; Serpentine rock - Cassie Kifer; Cattle - Chelsea Cross; Bay checkerspot butterfly - Cait Hutnik; Trail building - Charlotte Graham; Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge sign - Annamarie Pilon; Bay checkerspot caterpillar - Stu Weiss

Want more nature?
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube to get your daily dose of open space.