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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In The News

External links to recent articles about the Open Space Authority
Proposed battery storage site (prime farm field) in Coyote Valley

June 1, 2026 - The Mercury News

Major battery storage project proposed in San José's Coyote Valley

Environmentalists, political leaders and parents at a nearby school oppose the plan for a Virginia energy company to build one of the largest battery storage plants in California in Coyote Valley.

Read the full article here.

A Tule elk approaches a green plant with purple flowers

April 24, 2026 - SFGate

Bay Area hikers are skipping crowds for this elk haven

Coyote Valley, the narrowest stretch between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, hosts thousands of acres of farms, orchards and ranches. It’s also one of the few places to see a federally threatened species: Tule elk.

Read the full article here.

An angled aerial view looks down at row crops within an agricultural field surrounded by trees and rolling golden hills in the background.

April 8, 2026 - The Mercury News

Palo Alto group buys Coyote Valley farmland in San Jose for $5.3 million

In the latest step to preserve agriculture and open space in Coyote Valley, the largely undeveloped area on San Jose’s southern edges that was once planned for large technology campuses, a non-profit environmental group has purchased a 71-acre farm to keep it rural for generations to come. The Open Space Authority will manage the property.

Read the full article here.

A hill overlooks a city lit up with lights at sunset

March 25, 2026 - The Morgan Hill Times

Electricity project aims to improve reliability, protect wildlife in South County

A state commission has voted to allow a major transmission project to share space at a substation near Morgan Hill rather than build on undeveloped land in Coyote Valley—a change officials say protects a critical wildlife corridor while adding enough power capacity to supply more than 600,000 homes across the South Bay.

Read the full article here.

FAQ

Latest News

Press Releases & Media Advisories

Open Space Authority Awarded $247K for Critical Habitat Restoration Work

Publish On
San José, Calif. (June 30, 2022) – July is Wild about Wildlife Month, and the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority is highlighting its important work to conserve and restore critical wildlife habitat in Coyote Valley. A particular area of focus is Fisher Creek on the west side of the valley. At this location, wildlife travels between over one million acres of habitat in the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Diablo Range, seeking the cover of plants and trees in the riparian corridors as they move across Coyote Valley.

Popular Pumpkin Patch Returns at New Location in Coyote Valley

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San José, Calif. (June 16, 2022) –The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has entered a three-year lease with Spina Farms Pumpkin Patch and Fruit Stand to reopen at a new location at Laguna Avenue and Santa Teresa Boulevard in Coyote Valley. The 60 acres of prime farmlands (known as Laguna 60) where the festivities will be held was permanently protected by the Open Space Authority in October 2021. The fruit stand will open in July, and the popular pumpkin patch will open September 26 through November 6, with a variety of offerings for youth, families, and others looking for fall fun in the South Bay.

County Actions Safeguard Coyote Valley Farmland and Open Space

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San José, Calif. (December 14, 2021) – Today, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to strengthen protections for Coyote Valley’s natural and working lands. Over the last 20 years, farmland in Santa Clara County has declined by 45%, but the amendments to the County's General Plan, zoning ordinance, and zoning map will protect important resources in Mid- and South Coyote Valley to safeguard local food production and climate benefits.

Protecting Prime Farmlands in Coyote Valley

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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

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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

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(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

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(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.