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The Authority contributed funds to the Santa Clara County Food System Alliance project which addresses the issue of economic and social viability of small-scale urban and peri-urban agricultural operations in Santa Clara County. The Alliance will produce a report that highlights potential models for creating successful small-scale agricultural operations and identifies marketing and distribution systems that expand healthy food access by linking a viable urban and peri-urban agricultural system to residents of Santa Clara County, particularly underserved communities. The report will also provide recommendations illustrating how to implement potentially successful models in the county. The data and recommendations in the report will be useful for policymakers, elected officials, partner organizations, beginning and existing small farmers, and they will feed into the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Strategy process and Urban Agriculture Incentive Zone implementation.
Saved By Nature’s Cultural Competency Project engages over one thousand people of all backgrounds and abilities through three types of environmental education programs: 16 natural & culturally relevant guided nature hikes for underserved multigenerational communities and first time park users; 14 weeks of hand-on science day camp activities for 3rd - 5th graders in collaboration with seven clubhouses from the Boys & Girls Club of Silicon Valley; and two immersive 2-day, 1-night backpacking experiences for up to 30 at-promise-youth teens and their staff in partnership with Youth Alliance. The program mentors and elevates other organizations by sharing best practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Participants discover and explore breathtaking open spaces near home together, gain skills and confidence that will embolden them to return many times over, steward our natural areas, as well as engage in restorative practices that foster joy and healing in the open space areas of our region.
The Authority contributed $400,000 to help the City of San Jose transform a neglected utility corridor into a recreational parkway with a meandering trail and landscaping that includes many native plants. Interpretive signage describes bio-retention swales that are part of the project and tell the story of Gary Albertson, a highway safety activist. The parkway is named in his memory.
