For equestrians, riding on the trail is a joyful and freeing experience. Spending time on horseback is a lot of fun, and trail rides can help strengthen your bond and build trust with your equine companion. Whether you are riding to a nearby trail, or trailering your horse to a new location, be sure to prepare to make it a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for all.

Fungi, in addition to having plenty of pun-potential, serves very important purposes in ecosystems. Keep reading to learn about the variety of mushrooms found in the Santa Clara Valley.

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) will open the 1,859-acre Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve to the public on Thursday, August 31. Five miles of new trails – including a new 3-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and a wide range of accessible experiences – will be open for free to hikers on a schedule that balances recreation and nature experiences with the sensitive habitat for the many species that make their home in the preserve’s rare serpentine grasslands.

Whether you're spending a wonderful day with your loved ones or enjoying some quality time alone with nature, the Open Space Authority is excited for visitors to experience the beauty of Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve.

Many plants, as well as the animals that depend on them, find it extremely challenging to thrive on serpentine soils. But there’s one place in the Bay Area where rare species of plants and wildlife thrive amongst undisturbed serpentine grasslands.

Máyyan ‘Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge offers a truly one-of-a-kind preserve experience. With its cultural significance, crucial role in preserving endangered habitats, and remarkably diverse ecosystem, it holds countless captivating stories to share – tales of people and their connection to the land, a continuing journey of habitat restoration and stories of resilience.

Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve is home to a diverse array of wildlife specialized to thrive in this unique landscape, many of which are endemic, or found nowhere else. So, which animals call this landscape home?

The Santa Clara Valley is teeming with wildlife, and a surprising number of these species also happen to be dedicated and hardworking parents. With their impressive range of adaptations, these animals display an array of parenting techniques to assist in the survival and success of their offspring.