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 Officer.

Press Contact

Charlotte Graham

Public Information

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
Hearts Delight Trail at Coyote Valley. The grass is green and the trail is lined with oak trees.

April 22, 2025 - San Jose Spotlight

Op-Ed Andrea Mackenzie: Earth Month — a time to recognize all that nature does for us

Infrastructure isn’t often associated with beauty or inspiration — but in the case of nature, it’s both. The natural environment does more for us than most of us understand. Earth Month reminds us nature isn’t an abstract concept, it’s an asset we must steward and invest in because nature is the most resilient, cost-effective and life-sustaining infrastructure we have.

Click here to read the full story.

A wooden trail marker in the foreground in front of a gravel trail winding through a field of golden grass, with golden hills dotted with dark trees in the distance, under a bright blue sky with some fluffy white clouds on the horizon

April 5, 2025 - ABC7 News

Coyote Valley Open Space concerned about funding for accessible trail project amid federal cuts

The budget upheaval in Washington is triggering concern among environmental planners here in the Bay Area. 

Click here to read or watch the full story.

Landscape photo of Coyote Valley

MARCH 25, 2025 - KQED

Uncertainty Looms Over Bay Area Climate Projects Under Trump: ‘We’re in Triage’

Despite plans to break ground in 2026, project leaders say they have yet to get answers on the federal funding needed to build accessible trails in Coyote Valley. Potential federal cuts threaten at least $60 million in funding, stalling wildfire prevention efforts and other critical projects across the region. 

Click here to read the full article.

Photograph of Fisher Creek and Fishers Bend

March 11, 2025 - Northern California Public Media

The Women of Fisher Creek

When a group of women environmentalists from Point Blue Conservation Science and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority get together to plant native flora along a creek bank in Coyote Valley, the conversation turns to the role of women in conservation.

Click here to watch.

FAQ

Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority District 2 Director Mike Flaugher Passes

Publish On
San José, Calif. (February 24, 2025) - The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) announces the passing of Mike Flaugher, Director of District 2 on Saturday, February 22. Director Flaugher represented communities from North San José, Berryessa and the City of Milpitas since 2014
Two hikers traverse the Arrowhead Trail at Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve. They are both wearing gray sweaters, black leggings and hiking shoes.

The Mercury News: Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority looking for good citizens

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The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) is looking to fill two vacancies. One representative is sought for District 6, which encompasses San Jose’s Alum Rock area. Applicants must reside within the district’s boundaries, preferably be a registered voter and have experience participating with community groups within the district.
Looking across Coyote Valley, covered in golden fields and farmlands, towards rolling golden hills in the distance all under a blue sky

Understanding Coyote Valley

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Understanding Coyote Valley documents history and existing conditions across 10 topic areas that correspond to the goals of Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan (CVCAMP). CVCAMP will address needs for protected “last chance” valley floor that is critical to climate resilience of the region. Public process continues with community open houses starting in August.

With Newly Approved Work Plan and Annual Budget for 2024-25 Fiscal Year, Public Land Agency Invites Applications for Volunteers to Advise Board and Provide Public Fiscal Oversight

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June 17, 2024 – The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority), a 30-yearold regional public land conservation agency that protects open space and connects people to nature, today announced openings for new members of the Authority’s Citizens’ Advisory Committee (CAC) and Expenditure Plan Oversight Committee (EPOC). The open call for applicants follows the ratification on June 13 by the Authority’s elected Board of the agency’s 2024-25 fiscal year work plan and annual budget.

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority Opens New Preserve to the Public: Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve

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The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) will open the 1,859-acre Máyyan ‘Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve to the public on Thursday, August 31. Five miles of new trails – including a new 3-mile segment of the Bay Area Ridge Trail, and a wide range of accessible experiences – will be open for free to hikers on a schedule that balances recreation and nature experiences with the sensitive habitat for the many species that make their home in the preserve’s rare serpentine grasslands.

Open Space Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary

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2023 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. The agency was founded in 1993 as a public, independent special district – envisioned by dedicated local citizens and enacted by the California State Legislature – with the mission of forever protecting natural and agricultural lands and connecting people to nature. The Open Space Authority is funded by a voter-approved benefit assessment and parcel tax (Measures Q and T) and grants. The agency’s jurisdiction is 1,000 square miles and includes the cities of Campbell, Milpitas, San José, Santa Clara, Morgan Hill, and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.