Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

06/19/2026

Kick off Pride Weekend by helping remove invasive yellow star thistle at the historic Cathedral Oaks area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve!

In 1911, local artists Frank Ingerson and George Dennison, known to friends as "the boys," moved to the Los Gatos Mountains and named their home, Cathedral Oaks. Their estate became a gathering place for artists and creatives seeking community and refuge away from their public lives.

Today, Cathedral Oaks remains a place of historic significance to the local q***r community. Located within a closed area of the preserve, this special event offers an opportunity to celebrate Pride through stewardship, community, and connection to the land.

Learn more and register: https://bit.ly/3QruOx0

06/17/2026

As summer heats up ☀️, both people and wildlife face the same challenges in open spaces: How to stay cool 😎, hydrated 💦 and safe ✅ during hot, dry days.

Fortunately, the animals that call Midpen preserves home have spent thousands of years perfecting the art of heat adaptation through evolution. By observing their behaviors, we can pick up a few smart strategies for enjoying nature safely, even on the hottest days.

👉 Swipe to learn how animals stay cool and how you can stay cool too!

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

To celebrate Nature Photography Day, let's hear from the incredible wildlife photographer Vishal Subramanyan about some of the projects he's been working on over the past year, helping to document the lives of various wildlife that call Midpen preserves home.

06/14/2026

Who can resist a quick photoshoot during their weekend hike? 📸 Don’t forget to submit your fabulous nature photos to Midpen’s annual photo contest before the July 31st deadline!
 
Winners from each of the following categories will receive a $100 REI gift card along with a Midpen swag bag!
🚸 Aspiring Photographers (students K-12)
🏞️ Landscapes
🐛 Wildlife
🏃‍➡️ People in Nature
🌿 Plant Life
🪵 The Trail Less Traveled
🌟 People’s Choice
 
Read the rules and make your submissions at openspace.org/photo

06/11/2026

Is it hot in here, or is it just us? 🥵

The weather is heating up this weekend, and we want to make sure you’re ready for it. 🌞

Don’t let the heat cramp your style. Learn more at openspace.org/know-before and stay frosty out there 😎

06/09/2026

Midpen received an unusual visitor over the weekend! 🦙

On Saturday, Midpen rangers assisted with the wrangling of a runaway llama in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve, successfully lassoing and guiding it out of the preserve to be reunited with its owner.

From responding to medical emergencies and wildland fires to catching a llama out for a stroll, Midpen rangers sure wear a lot of hats. Thank you to our incredible rangers for always being ready to help, even with the strangest of calls! 🫶

📷: Rangers Bruder, Lund and Bustos

06/06/2026

Happy (National) Trails (Day) to you! How well do you know the 250+ miles of trail in Midpen preserves?
 
Don’t have every inch memorized yet? (That’s a lot of miles!) Fear not—Midpen has you and your trail expeditions covered with the Trail Explorer tool. Filter all of our trails by your recreation and mobility needs and preferences (slope, sun exposure, dog allowance, and more) to find the right trail for you.
 
🏞️ Find the tool on our website at openspace.org/trail-explorer
 
₊˚♫ Until we meet again :) ♪ ⋆｡

06/04/2026

One year ago, 10 volunteers and 2 staff members came together on National Trails Day to improve the Stevens Creek Nature Trail at Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.

One year later…
✔️65 projects
✔️141 volunteers
✔️2,168 hours

What started as the first Trails and Infrastructure volunteer project has grown into a thriving community. Happy One Year Anniversary to Midpen’s volunteer Trails Stewardship program!

Want to be part of this year's celebration and the first anniversary of Midpen's Trails and Infrastructure volunteer program? Join us on Saturday, June 6, at Long Ridge Open Space Preserve on the Achistaca Trail.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/4xd4hUI

06/02/2026

….And all of a sudden, it’s June!🌞

What does this time bridging spring and summer look like on the trails? How about lots of butterflies, the wonder of seeds, and history beneath the canopy or from a bike seat? Nature journaling, a solstice celebration, and a trivia hike?🦋

See the full list at https://bit.ly/3QheS02✨