Office holiday closure

Our office will be closed December 23-January 3. Open space preserves remain open!

Kat Hill interviewed by ABC 7

Pressroom

Pressroom

Media Inquiries

Welcome to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority pressroom. 

If you are seeking information and imagery for educational purposes or media use, please reach out to the Public Information Officer.

Press Contact

Charlotte Graham

Public Information

408-439-6541

News@openspaceauthority.org

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Read Our Latest Newsletter

The Open Space Authority monthly e-newsletter shares important, timely events, information and fun facts about your open space preserves. Click here to read the latest newsletter!

In The News

(External Links)
Land Stewards restoring habitat underneath the entry sign at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve

December 18, 2024 - Morgan Hill Times

Volunteer for Nature in 2025

Openings available for Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's volunteer cohort.

Click here to read the full article.

Aerial view of Laguna Seca with green mountains all around

November 14, 2024 - The Mercury News

Coyote Valley: 376 acres once planned for offices and parking lots to become public open space preserve

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority takes ownership of former corporate campus site

Read the full article by Paul Rogers here.

parade of people dressed up as monarch butterflies

November 2, 2024 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Monarch butterfly conservation efforts highlighted during Día de los Muertos

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, a conservation group that aims to protect land and wildlife in the South Bay, is creating monarch habitats in an attempt to protect the species during the journey.

Read the full article by Sarah McGrew here.

A monarch butterfly feeds on a flower

October 25, 2024 - El Observador

Protecting Monarch Butterflies

Despite recent population declines of this meaningful Mexican cultural figure, new research is giving hope that the species will fight the risk of extinction

Read the full article written by Avery Cruz in El Observador in English here y en español aquí.

A bird eats insects while sitting on a black cows nose. The background is black.

October 20, 2024 - The Mercury News

San Jose resident’s image a double winner in Coyote Valley photo contest

‘Cattle’s Best Friend’ takes people’s choice, agriculture categories

Read the article by Anne Gelhaus here.

FAQ

Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Open Space Authority Awarded $247K for Critical Habitat Restoration Work

Publish On
San José, Calif. (June 30, 2022) – July is Wild about Wildlife Month, and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is highlighting its important work to conserve and restore critical wildlife habitat in Coyote Valley. A particular area of focus is Fisher Creek on the west side of the valley. At this location, wildlife travels between over one million acres of habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, seeking the cover of plants and trees in the riparian corridors as they move across Coyote Valley.

Popular Pumpkin Patch Returns at New Location in Coyote Valley

Publish On
San José, Calif. (June 16, 2022) –The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has entered a three-year lease with Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch and Fruit Stand to reopen at a new location at Laguna Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard in Coyote Valley. The 60 acres of prime farmlands (known as Laguna 60) where the festivities will be held was permanently protected by the Open Space Authority in October 2021. The fruit stand will open in July, and the popular pumpkin patch will open September 26 through November 6, with a variety of offerings for youth, families, and others looking for fall fun in the South Bay.

County Actions Safeguard Coyote Valley Farmland and Open Space

Publish On
San José, Calif. (December 14, 2021) – Today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to strengthen protections for Coyote Valley’s natural and working lands. Over the last 20 years, farmland in Santa Clara County has declined by 45%, but the amendments to the County's General Plan, zoning ordinance, and zoning map will protect important resources in Mid- and South Coyote Valley to safeguard local food production and climate benefits.

Protecting Prime Farmlands in Coyote Valley

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San Jose, Calif. (November 1, 2021) – Sixty acres of prime farmland are now protected at Laguna Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard in the middle of Coyote Valley - also known as Mid Coyote Valley. With this latest addition to Coyote Valley’s growing network of protected lands, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) is working to establish sustainable, local climate-smart agricultural practices within the Coyote Valley Conservation Program Area.

Community-Focused Climate Resilience Project Receives $16 Million

Publish On
San José, CA – In September 2021, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) received multiple funding awards totaling over $16 million from the State of California for the protection of North Coyote Valley open space lands. $6 million in funding comes from an Urban Flood Protection grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, and $10 million was allocated by the California Legislature in SB-170, the Budget Act of 2021.
An oak tree next to a red barn at the Tilton Ranch Headquarters.

Coyote Valley Conservation Lands Network Grows with Historic Ranch Purchase

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SAN JOSE, CA - On August 9, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority), in partnership with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), finalized the $5 million purchase of the historic Tilton Ranch Complex. The 60-acre parcel, which includes residential and operational buildings at the heart of the ranch, completes the protection of this historic and environmentally important property. Other supporting partners include Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department and Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency. The partners acquired and protected 1,861 acres of Tilton Ranch in October 2020.

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Measure T

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(November 4, 2020) – The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority announced today that Measure T, the Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure, has passed with 82% of the vote. Approval of the measure signals voters strong support for continued public investment in open space, natural areas, and agricultural lands preservation.
Grasslands at the Tilton Ranch. There are large boulders in the foreground and the background shows the Santa Cruz Mountain Range.

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Peninsula Open Space Trust Protect 1,861-Acre Tilton Ranch, Bringing Total Acres Protected Adjoining Coyote Valley to 2,900

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(October 6, 2020) – Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency (Habitat Agency), Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) today announced the purchase of 1,861 acres of Tilton Ranch, increasing permanently protected land to more than 2,900 acres adjacent to Coyote Valley, north of Morgan Hill. One of the largest remaining intact ranches in the South Bay, Tilton Ranch contains critical watershed for both Monterey and San Francisco Bays and is home to dozens of unique and endangered species, some of which occur only in this area.