PRESS RELEASE: Peninsula Open Space Trust Acquires Farmland in Coyote Valley, Strengthening Wildlife Corridor and Agricultural Preservation

PALO ALTO, Calif. (April 2, 2026) – Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) today announced POST’s purchase of the Coyote Fields property, a 71-acre working farm in North Coyote Valley, for $5.3 million. The Authority will manage the property for POST starting in the coming months.

The conservation of this agricultural property advances protections for both farmland and wildlife connectivity in Coyote Valley, one of the most ecologically significant and development-threatened landscapes in the Bay Area. Located along Santa Teresa Boulevard, Coyote Fields buffers existing conservation lands to the west and sits near Coyote Creek, an important corridor for wildlife movement. This purchase, one of the first along the eastern edge of the valley below Bailey Avenue, helps support planned wildlife crossings nearby that allow species such as mountain lion which were recently listed as threatened by the California Fish and Game Commission, to navigate across the triple barrier of Monterey Road, the railway corridor and Highway 101.

Conservation of Coyote Fields also secures substantial agricultural acreage that has been actively farmed for decades, supporting the organizations’ shared vision for Coyote Valley as a working and natural landscape.

“By keeping this property undeveloped and in agricultural use, we can make it easier for wildlife to move across the complex matrix of habitat, agricultural, private and natural lands that is Coyote Valley,” said Gordon Clark, president of POST. “At the same time, we are thrilled to preserve productive farmland that has been family owned for decades, maintaining a small piece of the Valley of Heart’s Delight in perpetuity.” 

Property History
With more than 2,200 feet of frontage along Santa Teresa Boulevard, Coyote Fields is one of the largest intact pieces of actively farmed agricultural land in Coyote Valley. POST’s acquisition furthers efforts to permanently protect this scenic corridor and greenbelt. The property is located directly across the street from lands protected by these partners and the City of San Jose in 2019 and where the Authority is currently planning future habitat restoration and public access improvements through the Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan (CVCAMP).

Conservation Significance
Coyote Valley sits at a critical juncture in the regional landscape, connecting the coastal Santa Cruz Mountains to the Diablo Range to the east and the Gabilan Range to the south. Conserving Coyote Fields delivers multiple environmental benefits to the area and adds to the mosaic of protected lands for wildlife connectivity and continued agricultural production.

“Protecting Santa Clara County’s agricultural lands is one of the most effective tools we have for building regional climate resilience,” said Andrea Mackenzie, general manager of the Authority. “In Coyote Valley, these working lands function as essential natural infrastructure, storing carbon, safeguarding groundwater and creating critical buffers against wildfire, floods and other extreme weather. Preserving our remaining farmland advances the long‑term vision for Coyote Valley as a resilient, productive landscape that supports local food and strengthens the future of the communities we serve.”

Next Steps
The Authority will manage the property under an agreement with POST; the current Coyote Fields farm lease will continue under POST’s ownership and the Authority’s management.  POST plans to transfer property ownership to the Authority, as funding and planning efforts advance. Planning activities include exploring potential agricultural improvements and public access under the CVCAMP process. To learn about and participate in these plans firsthand, the public is invited to attend Coyote Valley Discovery Days, a free springtime series of hikes, pop-up events and open access days happening from March 20 to May 3.

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About the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches for future generations. Since 1993, the Authority has protected almost 30,000 acres of open space, natural areas and working lands, watersheds, and wildlife habitat – providing ecologically friendly outdoor recreation and preserving the natural beauty and environmental health of the Santa Clara Valley. For more information, please visit openspaceauthority.org.