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Kat Hill interviewed by ABC 7

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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 Manager.

Press Contact

Charlotte Graham

Public Information Manager

408-439-6541

News@openspaceauthority.org

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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 to recent articles about the Open Space Authority
A hill overlooks a city lit up with lights at sunset

March 25, 2026 - The Morgan Hill Times

Electricity project aims to improve reliability, protect wildlife in South County

A state commission has voted to allow a major transmission project to share space at a substation near Morgan Hill rather than build on undeveloped land in Coyote Valley—a change officials say protects a critical wildlife corridor while adding enough power capacity to supply more than 600,000 homes across the South Bay.

Read the full article here.

An aerial view of a patchwork of farmlands between two mountain ranges, with a tree-lined road splitting down the middle of the photo.

March 25, 2026 - San José Spotlight

New South Bay power substation to be built at existing site

Environmental advocates are claiming victory in a two-year fight to keep an energy substation away from wildlife corridors in the stretches of open space south of San Jose known as Coyote Valley.

Read the full article here.

Looking across Coyote Valley, covered in golden fields and farmlands, towards rolling golden hills in the distance all under a blue sky

March 24, 2026 - Hoodline

San Jose Power Play Saves Coyote Valley As Grid Fix Moves Ahead

State regulators have blessed a major overhaul of San José’s electric backbone without tearing into one of South San José’s last big stretches of open land.

Read the full article here.

Speakers stand together during the Power Santa Clara press conference on March 20, 2026

March 23, 2026 - ABC7 News

San Jose open space to remain intact as power reliability plan gets approved

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, LS Power Grid California and Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced the approval of a power plan that will unlock one gigawatt of electric capacity for the South Bay while protecting wildlife corridors in the state-sanctioned Coyote Valley Conservation Program Area.

Watch the segment here.

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Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Aerial View of Fisher Creek and Fisher's Bend

Northern California Public Media: Fisher Creek Women

Publish On
When a group of women environmentalists from Point Blue Conservation Science and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority get together to plant native flora along a creek bank in Coyote Valley, the conversation turns to the role of women in conservation. Hear how they excel in nurturing and caring for the planet! For more information visit https://www.openspaceauthority.org and https://www.pointblue.org
Mike Flaugher along with fellow board members and OSA staff hold a framed certificate

The Mercury News: Milpitas Open Space Authority director dies

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Mike Flaugher, a longtime Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority director who represented Milpitas on the board, died on Saturday, Feb. 22. As director of District 2, Flaugher also represented communities from North San José and Berryessa. He first joined the authority as a member of the Citizen Advisory Committee in 2012 before being elected to the board in 2014.

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority District 2 Director Mike Flaugher Passes

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San José, Calif. (February 24, 2025) - The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) announces the passing of Mike Flaugher, Director of District 2 on Saturday, February 22. Director Flaugher represented communities from North San José, Berryessa and the City of Milpitas since 2014
A cornfield full of tall green crops with a row of sunflowers in the foreground, under a pink cloudy sunrise

The Mercury News: California Senate Bill takes aim at saving farm lands

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Amid a push by local leaders to conserve farmlands and open spaces in the Bay Area from future development, state senator David Cortese has introduced a bill that would shore up funding to preserve agricultural land throughout the state despite the measure’s uncertain financial outlook.
Two hikers traverse the Arrowhead Trail at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. They are both wearing gray sweaters, black leggings and hiking shoes.

The Mercury News: Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority looking for good citizens

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The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s Citizens' Advisory Committee (CAC) is looking to fill two vacancies. One representative is sought for District 6, which encompasses San Jose’s Alum Rock area. Applicants must reside within the district’s boundaries, preferably be a registered voter and have experience participating with community groups within the district.