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

A woman in a light blue shirt and sunglasses stands at a podium with the OSA logo speaking into a microphone at an outdoor event

Sign up for Media Updates

Be the first to receive breaking news and updates from the Open Space Authority. Sign up for our media list to receive press releases and media advisories by clicking here. 

brown and white specked burrowing owl surrounded by long green grass against a light brown background

Read Our Latest Newsletter

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 sounder of feral pigs rooting in a field at the Open Space Authority Tilton Ranch property

September 11, 2025 - KQED Bay Curious

Invasion of the Grub Snatchers: How One Rich Guy’s Russian Boars Colonized California

This story features David Mauk, the Open Space Authority's Natural Resource Technician II, and dives into the history of how wild pigs were introduced to our region and the damage they cause to local ecosystems, specifically including Máyyan ‘Ooyákma — Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve. 

Click here to listen to the podcast episode.

A photo of a woman in Open Space Authority gear with a title card that reads "Katheryn Hill, Volunteer Program Coordinator, Open Space Authority."

September 3, 2025 - Northern California Public Media

Riparian Restoration: Helping Native Plants Thrive 
Kat Hill, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority's Volunteer Program Coordinator, works with staff and volunteers to return native plants to ecologically sensitive riparian areas along Fisher Creek in Coyote Valley.

Watch this video to learn more.

Woman walking with mapping tool on trail with green hills and blue sky

July 8 - Northern California Public Media

There’s a MAP for that!  Cartographer Anna McGarrigle uses the latest Geographic Information System technology (GIS )to make up-to-date maps for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.

Click here to watch the video.

Feral Pigs Canva 2

June 11, 2025 - Smithsonian Magazine

Wild pigs are causing big problems in California’s Bay Area, and their population seems to be growing.

Feral pigs are going “hog wild” across the San Francisco Bay Area—and wildlife officials are ramping up their efforts to stop the destructive creatures.

Click here to read the full story.

FAQ

Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Protecting Prime Farmlands in Coyote Valley

Publish On
San Jose, Calif. (November 1, 2021) – Sixty acres of prime farmland are now protected at Laguna Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard in the middle of Coyote Valley - also known as Mid Coyote Valley. With this latest addition to Coyote Valley’s growing network of protected lands, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) is working to establish sustainable, local climate-smart agricultural practices within the Coyote Valley Conservation Program Area.

Community-Focused Climate Resilience Project Receives $16 Million

Publish On
San José, CA – In September 2021, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) received multiple funding awards totaling over $16 million from the State of California for the protection of North Coyote Valley open space lands. $6 million in funding comes from an Urban Flood Protection grant from the California Natural Resources Agency, and $10 million was allocated by the California Legislature in SB-170, the Budget Act of 2021.
An oak tree next to a red barn at the Tilton Ranch Headquarters.

Coyote Valley Conservation Lands Network Grows with Historic Ranch Purchase

Publish On
SAN JOSE, CA - On August 9, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority), in partnership with the Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), finalized the $5 million purchase of the historic Tilton Ranch Complex. The 60-acre parcel, which includes residential and operational buildings at the heart of the ranch, completes the protection of this historic and environmentally important property. Other supporting partners include Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department and Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency. The partners acquired and protected 1,861 acres of Tilton Ranch in October 2020.

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Measure T

Publish On
(November 4, 2020) – The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority announced today that Measure T, the Open Space, Wildlife Habitat, Clean Water, and Increased Public Access Measure, has passed with 82% of the vote. Approval of the measure signals voters strong support for continued public investment in open space, natural areas, and agricultural lands preservation.
Grasslands at the Tilton Ranch. There are large boulders in the foreground and the background shows the Santa Cruz Mountain Range.

Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency, Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and Peninsula Open Space Trust Protect 1,861-Acre Tilton Ranch, Bringing Total Acres Protected Adjoining Coyote Valley to 2,900

Publish On
(October 6, 2020) – Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency (Habitat Agency), Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) today announced the purchase of 1,861 acres of Tilton Ranch, increasing permanently protected land to more than 2,900 acres adjacent to Coyote Valley, north of Morgan Hill. One of the largest remaining intact ranches in the South Bay, Tilton Ranch contains critical watershed for both Monterey and San Francisco Bays and is home to dozens of unique and endangered species, some of which occur only in this area.

Understanding Our Community Phase II Report Release

Publish On
The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (Authority) releases its Understanding Our Community Phase II Report, a framework that builds on the Phase I report published in 2015, and has guided strategic conservation investments that has helped communities overcome barriers to accessing nature.
Laguna Seca with Water

San José City Council unanimously approved the purchase and permanent protection of 937 acres in the North Coyote Valley through an innovative public and private partnership among Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Santa Clara Valley Open Space Autho

Publish On
SAN JOSÉ, Calif. (August 3, 2020) – Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) and Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) announced the completed purchase of a 235-acre parcel in the North Coyote Valley Conservation Area. The $16 million purchase is supported by $15 million in new funding from two state agencies: $5 million from the California State Coastal Conservancy and $10 million from the Wildlife Conservation Board. POST contributed the remaining $1 million.
OSA Staff and supporters hold a protect Coyote Valley sign outside City Hall

Public-Private Conservation Partnership Preserves 937 Acres in Coyote Valley

Publish On
The San José City Council unanimously approved the purchase and permanent protection of 937 acres in the North Coyote Valley through an innovative public and private partnership among Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST), Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the Authority) and the City of San José. This conservation transaction secures a critical “last chance” wildlife linkage between the Santa Cruz and Diablo mountain ranges. This irreplaceable landscape features natural floodplains and wildlife habitat, mitigates wildfire impact and builds climate change resiliency for the citizens of the tenth-largest city in the nation.