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Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

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San Jose, CA
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

We conserve the natural environment, support agriculture, and connect people to nature.

The Open Space Authority protects sensitive lands, preserves natural communities and manages open space in ways that promote agriculture and compatible recreation.

09/20/2026

It's us, we're the people. 🤓

You wanted more of these – and we heard you!!

Don’t worry, we definitely don't judge ANYONE for not being a professional naturalist! If you've ever mixed up a native and invasive species... or bird of prey... you're in good company. 😄

Learning to identify local plants and wildlife is part of the adventure, and everyone starts somewhere!

If you're curious to learn more, we've got a FREE wildlife guide you can download from our website: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/wildlife-guide-download. It's an easy way to get to know the amazing species that call our open spaces home, in time for your next hike! 🐾🌿

What's one plant or animal you always have to look up?

09/18/2026

Happy ! 💚

In our fast-paced lives, a little respect can go a long way. Here are some of our favorite ways to respect nature, wildlife, AND each other when visiting open space preserves!

1. Stay on designated trails to protect the preserves and the plants and wildlife that live there.

2. Do not feed, disturb, touch, chase or remove wildlife.

3. Take nothing but pictures and memories! Do not pick or take anything from the preserve, including wildflowers, other plants, or rocks.

4. Please leave no trace and pack out ALL trash. This includes biodegradable items, such as apple cores and citrus and banana peels.

5. Be considerate to other preserve visitors and share the trail. Remember to SLOW and say HELLO, to alert other visitors of your presence.

For more detailed rules and tips, visit our website: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/new-visitors

09/17/2026

Easy, tiger! 🐯

September is , and California has its very own native tiger species...tiger SALAMANDERS, that is! 🐅

The California tiger salamander is an endangered amphibian that lives in local ponds and grasslands. These beautiful amphibians are easily recognizable by their long bodies, black and yellow patterns, and smiling mouths.

During the summer, they migrate away from their birth ponds to find burrows, like those made by ground squirrels, and begin aestivation (or hibernation during the summer). Interestingly, these critters don’t mind cohabitating in burrows that are still occupied by the rodents that dug them. The more the merrier!

They prefer burrows in grassland and savanna habitats. This allows them to travel safely between breeding and non-breeding habitats. 🔄

Every winter during rain events they return to their breeding ponds to mate, lay eggs, and begin the next generation!

To learn more about these tiny tigers, read our article about them: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/whats-new/winter-wildlife-california-tiger-salamander

📷: Andre Giraldi, Michael Van Hattem (USFWS), Margaret Mantor (CDFW), Matthew Slater (USFWS), Margaret Mantor (CDFW)

09/16/2026

The October issue of our newsletter is now available! This month, we're highlighting:

💚 A FREE educational talk about tule elk (in-person AND over Zoom)
💚 A presentation from General Manager Andrea Mackenzie on the benefits of nature in Silicon Valley
💚 Our plans for prescribed fires this fall
💚 Updates to the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve
💚 The Fall Crawl

And so much more! Read the full newsletter here: https://news.openspaceauthority.org/october2026

09/15/2026

Who wore it better: nature or celebrities? ⭐️ 2026 EMMYS EDITION!!! ⭐️

Santa Clara Valley is home to incredible plants and animals. We think the colors, patterns and textures found in nature can rival any red‑carpet look.

Let’s celebrate the species that make Santa Clara Valley extraordinary. We hope this silly post inspires more people to learn more about the wildlife and habitats we depend on.

p.s. Sorry, Tiffany! We just had to 😅

09/13/2026

Today is National ... so of course, we’re celebrating the BALD EAGLE! 🦅⚡

🦅 The bald eagle is an iconic raptor native to California and found only in North America!

🦅 Not *technically* bald, this eagle gets its name from an old English word, "balde," which means “white” 🤍 (Mind. Blown. 🤯)

🦅 The bald eagle became the national emblem of the United States in 1782 🇺🇸

🦅 These magnificent birds have wingspans of 6-8 feet 📏 and can live up to 28 years in the wild 🎂

🦅 Once endangered, bald eagles have made an impressive comeback thanks to protection efforts 👏

🦅 If you're lucky (and have an eagle eye! 👀), you can spot bald eagles from some open space preserves! Look for them soaring high above Coyote Valley, Sierra Vista, and Máyyan 'Ooyákma – Coyote Ridge Open Space Preserve ☀️

Mr. Clean, Dwayn ‘The Rock’ Johnson, and Shaquille O'Neal can all take a seat... OUR favorite bald beauty is Haliaeetus leucocephalus 🦅😍

📷: David Mauk, Ron Horii, Beth Hamel

09/10/2026

What's your LOCAL AGRICULTURE personality type??

We've put together 4 iconic personality types based on our region's farmlands and agriculture. Which one areYOU? 🚜🌱🍅

The Open Space Authority takes lead role in identifying and preserving farmland, ranches, and rangeland. In collaboration with farmers, ranchers, agricultural organizations, and other partners, we're identifying ways to support and help protect Santa Clara Valley’s most important remaining working lands! ☀

Learn more about this work on our website: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/projects-programs/agriculture

09/09/2026

To celebrate , we’re highlighting Coyote Valley, a local bird biodiversity hotspot.

The area includes essential habitat for more than 220 species of resident and migratory birds - one of the highest recorded bird species richness in the NATION. In addition, Coyote Valley’s Laguna Seca wetland is an important stopover for waterfowl migrating along the Pacific Flyway.

We put together a list of birds you might spot on a visit to Coyote Valley. How many have you seen before? https://www.openspaceauthority.org/whats-new/birdwatchers-guide-to-coyote-valley

P.S. Research shows that time spent birdwatching (even casually) can reduce negative emotions and help people feel happier about themselves and the world around them 😌🌎 Don’t worry if you're a total beginner – birding is for everyone.

09/08/2026

Welcome back to ! 🕷️💥🍂 Fall is TARANTULA season, and every year many people ask us how to spot these native spiders. Here are our top three tips:

1. Go looking for them in the late afternoon, as close to sunset as possible. 🌄
2. Walk SLOW and stop frequently, while looking from side to side. 👀
3. Most tarantulas won’t be crawling across the middle of the trail, so be sure to look next to the trail in the taller grass (NOT an invitation to leave the trail yourself. Always stay on designated trails, and let your eyes do the work). ✅

If you do spot a fuzzy friend, REMEMBER:

1. Don’t pick it up.
2. Let it go where it wants to go – including to hide.
3. Don’t get too close (tarantulas are gentle creatures but WILL defend themselves by shooting barbed hairs if threatened).

To learn more about these amazing arachnids, visit our blog: https://www.openspaceauthority.org/whats-new/the-fall-crawl

Address

33 Las Colinas Lane
San Jose, CA
95119

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14082247476

Website

http://www.openspaceauthority.org/

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