Caring for Nature: Our 2026-2027 Roadmap
The Open Space Authority's fiscally responsible 2026-2027 Annual Budget and Work Plan took effect July 1, coming in $45,000 under last year's budget. Much like a roadmap, the Annual Budget and Work Plan looks ahead to the next 12 months and outlines how we plan to intentionally and strategically use our funding to care for nature so nature can care for you. Take a look at some of our upcoming fiscal year projects that improve the habitat of native species, increase our ability to support local agriculture and connect more people to nature!
Assisting Aquatic Species: Bailey Avenue Wetland Enhancement
A California tiger salamander walks through an area with dried twigs and grass. Photo by Michael Van Hatten (USFWS).
California tiger salamanders, a native species to Santa Clara Valley, currently inhabit a wetland in North Coyote Valley. This fiscal year, the Open Space Authority plans to restore this wetland to help the salamanders breed and maintain their population.
During the first big storms of the year, a California tiger salamander leaves the burrow in search of a body of water (typically, the body of water where it was born) to mate and lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch in the water, very young and underdeveloped salamanders emerge and slowly transform into young adults. The wetland in its current state dries out before the salamanders reach adulthood, impacting their survival rates.
The Open Space Authority plans to deepen and restore the wetland so that it can hold more water and for a longer amount of time. This will help California tiger salamanders breed and offer ample time for their offspring to reach adulthood and leave the pond in search of a burrow before the warm weather dries out the wetland.
To kick off this project, Authority staff will study how the wetland retains water and use the results to redesign its structure and improve the salamanders’ habitat. Over the next 12 months, we’ll also develop a monitoring plan to keep track of the wetland’s post-restoration progress and order plants and seeds to support the growth of native plants around the wetland.
Decommissioning & Repairing Wells
A view of the inside of a well with a small amount of water at its base. Photo by Omer Faruq Khan via Canva.
Can old, unused wells put our drinking water at risk? Absolutely! That's why the Open Space Authority plans to decommission, or properly retire, 10 wells in Coyote Valley to help protect the community’s groundwater. During much of the 20th century, wells in Coyote Valley were the primary source of water for farms and homes. Over time, many property owners either sold their land or changed how the land was used, leaving many of the existing wells to deteriorate over time. When not used or retired properly, water runoff from nearby agricultural land or factories may leak into the wells, soak into the soil and enter our groundwater beneath the earth’s surface. This water may contain diseases, pesticides or other toxins that are harmful to humans.
This fiscal year, the Open Space Authority plans to hire a well expert who can properly retire the wells and protect the community’s groundwater. Additionally, we plan to assess a well located on farmland in Coyote Valley to determine how it can be improved and used to support the property’s future farm operations. By the end of the fiscal year, the Open Space Authority plans to identify the well’s immediate repairs and create a long-term maintenance plan.
Connecting People to Nature through Art
A cut out image of a bobcat is displayed for an event at Santana Row. This is an example of how the Open Space Authority is using natural imagery and art to connect people to nature. Photo by Annamarie Pilon.
Art brings people together, helps us understand our surroundings and adds beauty to the world! Through a new project, the Open Space Authority plans to utilize art and culture to encourage more people to visit Open Space Authority preserves and form deeper connections to nature. Over the next year, the Authority will create a staff working group who will collaboratively design a final plan for the art and culture project. This plan will shape how we integrate art and culture into our preserves and how we approach and support local artists. Stay tuned as we share more information about this ongoing project!
Redesigning Trail Maps
A map shows the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's jurisdiction.
Over the next fiscal year, the Open Space Authority plans to redesign the preserve trail maps for Sierra Vista, Coyote Valley, Máyyan 'Ooyákma - Coyote Ridge and Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserves. This project will modernize the Authority’s existing maps, making them accessible and easy to read for all visitors. The redesigned trail maps will also include detailed preserve and trail use information to improve public safety. Once the new maps become available, the Open Space Authority will share them at all open space preserves and on our website.
As we venture into the new fiscal year, stay up to date on all Open Space Authority projects by following us on Instagram or Facebook and signing up for our newsletter here.
Related Posts
These new ideas are being shared as the Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan “Concept Alternatives,” or design options, and illustrate a range of approaches for achieving the conservation goals for Coyote Valley on these lands. Learn more and see the proposed designs.