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Our office will be closed Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day. Your preserves remain open!

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Kat Hill interviewed by ABC 7

Pressroom

Pressroom

Media Inquiries

Welcome to the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority pressroom. 

If you are seeking information and imagery for educational purposes or media use, please reach out to the Public Information Manager.

Press Contact

Charlotte Graham

Public Information Manager

408-439-6541

News@openspaceauthority.org

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The Open Space Authority monthly e-newsletter shares important, timely events, information and fun facts about your open space preserves. Click here to read the latest newsletter!

In The News

External links to recent articles about the Open Space Authority
A photo of a sunset breaking through fluffy clouds taken from the top of a mountain with the view of another green mountain in the distance.

September 5, 2026 - The Mercury News

Hiker airlifted away from San Jose trail after mountain lion sighting

After interviewing the hiker and studying the encounter, officials determined that the wild animal did move 1 to 2 feet toward her, but did not stalk her or exhibit any dangerous behavior.

Read the full article here.

A CalFire helicopter drops water during the Malech Fire

August 8, 2026 - The Mercury News

Fire ignites near San Jose's Coyote Valley, closes parks

Firefighters responded on the ground and in the air to a 32-acre blaze on San Jose's southern edges near Coyote Valley on Saturday afternoon. 

Read the full article here.

Proposed battery storage site (prime farm field) in Coyote Valley

August 4, 2026 - The Mercury News

Controversial battery storage project in San Jose’s Coyote Valley is withdrawn

A Virginia energy company that proposed building one of the largest battery storage plants in California in Coyote Valley, a rural expanse of farmland and open space on San Jose’s southern edges, has pulled the plug.

Read the full article here.

Andrea Mackenzie Full Headshot

July 26, 2026 - The Mercury News

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority soon to have top job opening

Andrea Mackenzie will be stepping down as general manager of The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority at the end of the year, the authority’s board announced. She has served in the position for 15 years.

Read the full article here.

FAQ

Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Statement Regarding August 27 Mountain Lion Sighting at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve

Publish On
On the evening of Thursday, August 27, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) staff were notified by the San Jose Police Department that a hiker on or near a trail at Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve had encountered a mountain lion. Staff immediately coordinated with police to locate the female hiker, who was safely recovered by helicopter with no injuries reported.
OSA logo on a purple square

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Joins Amicus Brief Opposing Construction of ICE Facility on Gilroy Agricultural Lands

Publish On
In the U.S. District Court in San Jose, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) joined the filing of an amicus curiae brief in support of the lawsuit the State of California and Santa Clara County have filed to stop unlawful construction on an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in unincorporated Santa Clara County near Gilroy, Calif.