A social trail is an unauthorized trail that usually cuts a sharp turn or goes to a part of the preserve that is closed. While it’s often difficult to resist the allure of a shortcut or a trip off the beaten path, social trails can be dangerous to the user and can harm the environments and habitats they cut through.

What lives underground and hisses to fend off predators? If you were thinking of a snake, then the burrowing owl succeeded in its goal (and our picture above must not have loaded...)! Sharing semi-arid climates with squirrels, rattlesnakes, and more has led this unique bird to develop some interesting adaptations, including that particular defense mechanism. Life on ground-level is no easy endeavor for these little ones, and burrowing owl populations have declined dramatically. However, recent captive breeding programs in the Santa Clara Valley are offering hope.

Did you know that hay is a valuable food source for livestock? In the South Bay, hay is one of the most common crops grown by local farmers.

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.

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.

Squirrels are highly adaptable, charismatic, and all-around tough species. If you live, or grew up in Santa Clara Valley, chances are you have your own story about an experience with these artful, bushytailed rodents. Though some view squirrels as pests, these nimble, curious critters play a major role in regulating their ecosystems. For those who are less than appreciative of their presence, learning about their vibrant lives and complex social interactions might just inspire a bit more interest in these seemingly inconspicuous creatures.

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.

A link to the past, a symbol in the present and an opportunity for the future - Coyote Valley tells a story. Nick Perry, Long-Range Planning Manager and Coyote Valley Project Director at the Open Space Authority, is among those who know this best.