A field of bright orange, yellow, and purple wildflowers with blue mountains far on the horizon and a blue sky above, full of white fluffy clouds

Our Impact

Looking across a lush green landscapes of hills, a large valley, fields, and small bodies of waters, towards mountains in the distance, under a cloud-filled sky
30,000
acres of open space protected
Two children with an adult work together to water a garden
$14.7 million
invested through Grant Programs
Tule elk walk up a green and golden hill
1.1 million
acres of connected wildlife habitat

To date, the Open Space Authority has preserved approximately 30,000 acres of open space–protecting the health and well-being of the Santa Clara Valley and its residents. Additionally, this protected land connects over 1 million acres of habitat between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range. The Open Space Authority also provides equitable access to nature through Urban Grants, with nearly $15 million invested to connect urban residents to the outdoors in their own neighborhoods.

Two pairs of hands wearing gardening gloves planting a small green plant into a hole in the ground.

Impact Reports

An aerial view of Sierra Vista's rolling gold hillsides with trails winding across them. Beyond the hills is an expansive view of Santa Clara Valley below, under a clear blue sky.

2024 Annual Impact Report

This interactive storymap includes open space preserve updates, project milestones, community outreach efforts, highlights of the Urban Grant Program, funding and public policy achievements and special acknowledgements from 2024. Explore the report here.

sunrise over green hills and a small lake

30-Year Impact Report

In 2023, we released our interactive 30-Year Impact Report, highlighting the agency's accomplishments made possible by partners, volunteers and supporters. Explore the report here. 

This report was a finalist in the 2024 ArcGIS StoryMaps Competition.

Past Year In Review Reports

Lush green hills stretching into the distance, covered in green trees, under a light blue morning sky with dark clouds

Investing in Nature-based Solutions

Through our work, we are demonstrating how strategic investments in conservation, smart land use policies and urban design can provide cost-effective, efficient nature-based resilience to climate change, while also providing many other ecological, economic and quality of life benefits – now and in the future.

Learn More