2024 Annual Impact Report

Learn about our biggest accomplishments of 2024!

View the Report

Celebrating Environmental Education Day!

Publish On

On January 26, people around the world will celebrate International Environmental Education Day to bring awareness to the importance of teaching others about the environment, the benefits of nature and how we can all do our part to be kind to the earth. The Open Space Authority offers a wide variety of environmental education programming that provides opportunities to learn more about local wildlife, connect with nature, understand the importance of conserving and restoring local lands and more. Learn more about a few of our special virtual educational videos that are FREE for the public through our YouTube below. 

The Magic of Moths

Through this webinar, viewers will learn the differences between moths and butterflies, how they pollinate plants, their lifestyle patterns, wing and antennae structures, biological history and special adaptations!

Pollinator Party

Pollinators provide a multitude of benefits to our ecosystems. Learn more about these magical beings including beetles, butterflies, moths and bees that help increase biodiversity through this one-hour webinar!

Scavengers of the Sky

In this 45-minute webinar, viewers can learn all about the amazing creature known as the turkey vulture! These native and complex scavengers are super unique and are known as nature's cleanup crew; turkey vultures feed on dead animal carcasses, also known as carrion, which helps to decrease the amount of potential disease in the ecosystem. Learn more fun facts about turkey vultures by watching the full webinar!

Creepy Crawlies and Other Decomposers

Through this 30-minute webinar, viewers will be introduced to invertebrate decomposers including worms, slugs, snails, beetles and more! Learn how these organisms are built for their environment and how they benefit the natural ecosystem.

Let's Go Mothing!

In this webinar, learn about mothing (observing moths), how to do it and how to identify and document moths once you begin your journey! If you’ve ever wondered how to become an iNaturalist expert to track the plants, wildlife and other creatures you encounter, this 40-minute webinar is a great watch!

In Love with Lichen

Want to learn more about lichens? Check out this webinar to learn how to identify the major groups of lichens aka fungus and algae that use each other to their own benefit! Viewers will also learn about the lichen’s effects on local ecology and what they can tell us about our changing environment.

Want to dive even deeper into the Open Space Authority’s FREE virtual environmental education catalogue? Click here to explore the agency’s YouTube page and discover more fascinating aspects of our surrounding environments. 

Related Posts

A child wearing pink with a blue hat and her father in gray behind her bend down to look at orange and yellow wildflowers on a dirt trail. Behind them are green hills and other people on the trail

A Caregiver's Guide to Nature

From physical wellness to mental health and beyond, nature helps children grow and learn about the world around them! Yet, exploring nature with young ones can also be a little intimidating, especially for adults who are new to nature themselves! Through this Parent and Caregiver’s Guide to Nature, we hope to instill confidence in your abilities to explore nature with the children in your care and discover local spaces to test out your new knowledge.
A clump of bright orange California poppies growing in green grass on a hillside with more green hills behind

Best Wildflower Viewing in the South Bay

Every year after the rain, the golden hillsides of the Santa Clara Valley burst to life. Green grass blankets the land, accompanied by bright, colorful displays of iconic California wildflowers. Whether you’re a local, or new to the area, these seasonal viewings rarely disappoint, but there are a few things you’ll need to know before hitting the trails to find them.
A man wearing a red beanie and navy blue shirt knees in a field of golden grass holding up a camera with a long lens, taking a photo of something to the right

Nature Photography 101

Nature photography is an awesome pastime – it gets you outside, it helps you appreciate and learn about your local environment and it can even help the conservation movement. Here are some tips and tricks for getting out there and finding your inner photographer.
A hiker wearing shorts, tank top, and pink baseball hat stands on a dirt trail looking at a view of a golden valley and open sky

Open Space Warm Weather Guide

Longer days and warmer weather make spring and summer some of the best times of year to enjoy the outdoors! Before heading outside this season, check out these warm weather outdoor tips to help you have safe and enjoyable experiences in nature all season long.