Building on Momentum: Six Projects Strengthening Nature Across the South Bay
We are deeply grateful to share that MEASURE D passed on June 2, 2026, with over 55% of the vote. This outcome reflects a shared commitment to protecting and caring for nature to benefit everyone in the Santa Clara Valley. We recognize that this trust comes with real responsibility, and we are humbled by the opportunity to move forward with so many projects that will benefit people and wildlife for many generations to come.
Even before the measure passed, we had already begun advancing a number of important projects, and we’re excited to share a few of them below. Each of these are designed to strengthen the health of our landscapes, improve access to nature, and help us care for both people and wildlife in lasting ways. Measure D will make sure we can sustain and expand this work well into the future.
Building Wildfire Resilience
The Open Space Authority is committed to keeping you and your community safe from wildfires. By using land management tools, like conservation grazing and prescribed burns, we can reduce the amount of dry vegetation that builds up in grasslands and acts as fuel for wildfires. This fall, the Authority plans to set a series of small, prescribed burns to proactively protect the community from the threat of wildfires and maintain healthy landscapes. Learn more about the upcoming prescribed burns here and sign up for prescribed burn updates here.
Connecting Communities to Nature
The Open Space Authority’s Urban Grant Program recently awarded nearly $1 million to local community organizations. These grants support programs that help improve the health and quality of life of Santa Clara Valley residents by connecting people with nature. In total, $1.3 million in Urban Grant projects are currently active across the communities we serve. Funded programs range from summer science classes for unhoused and low‑income youth to mindful nature walks for marginalized communities and urban gardening workshops for individuals experiencing food insecurity. Explore how Urban Grant funding is helping more people access nature in the Santa Clara Valley.
A Farm Program Vision
Agricultural producers play a key role in maintaining the physical and economic health of Santa Clara Valley. Farmers grow nutritious produce and other crops, improving access to fresh food for community members. At the same time, they care for the working lands that also provide a multitude of benefits to the environment, like cleaner air and flood protection. Farms can also boost the local economy by providing employment opportunities for local residents, helping to support families in our communities. The Open Space Authority is currently creating a plan, called the Farm Program Vision, which will outline how the Authority can better support local agriculture and be a resource for those who work the land. Learn more about the Farm Program Vision here.
Making Nature More Accessible
Updates to the Heart’s Delight Trail are on their way! In May, the Open Space Authority broke ground on accessibility and expanded access updates to the Heart’s Delight Trail at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. The Authority expects to complete construction by late fall of 2026. Improvements will include an accessible trail with a stable surface, a gathering space, a new shade structure with an entry kiosk, bike parking and seating. We will also install interpretive signage that educates visitors about Coyote Valley’s history. Learn more about the launch of this project here. And follow along as we continue to provide project updates here.
Planning the Future of Coyote Valley
Together, we’re planning the future of Coyote Valley! Located between the Diablo Range and the Santa Cruz Mountains, Coyote Valley consists of wildlife habitat, agricultural lands and open space. Over 1,600 acres of valley floor open space is now permanently protected in Coyote Valley! After centuries of human modification and decades in development limbo, these precious lands need our help returning to a healthier, more natural state. Through the Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan (CVCAMP), the Open Space Authority is developing plans to heal the land, for the benefit of people and wildlife, and provide new ways for the public to connect with nature. Stay up to date on the Coyote Valley planning process here.
Growing Regional Trail Connections
Thanks to a generous grant from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, we are currently in the planning stages to build new backcountry trails at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve. These new trails will enable visitors to explore 1,800 additional acres of the preserve that were previously closed to the public while admiring the sweeping views of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Public feedback has been an important part of the trail planning process that shapes the length, difficulty and key features of a new trail. Soon, we’ll be sharing the preferred trail designs with community members. Click here to learn more about this project and sign up to participate in the planning process.
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.
