Russian Ridge, Judith Zimmermann
PRESERVE PROTECT RESTORE ENJOYEDUCATE
District Introduction and
Update
Jed Cyr, Board Member, Ward 3
Karen Holman, Board Member, Ward 5
September 15, 2026
Midpen’s Mission(s)
2 Midpen’s mission: to acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
On the Coast, Midpen has an expanded mission to acquire and preserve agricultural land of regional significance, preserve rural character and encourage viable agricultural uses of land resources.
Lands We
Protect
3 Midpen’s Board of Director Wards
4 5
Protected by Midpen to date:
• 7,400 acres of redwood forests
• 6,900 acres of grasslands
• 40 acres of serpentine grasslands
• 288 special status species (87 wildlife, 201 plants)
• 23 threatened or endangered species
• 77 miles of perennial creeks; 1,400 ac. riparian veg
• 103 water bodies …….. AND GROWING!!
Some Midpen Facts
• Public agency, created in 1972 by a grassroots
voter initiative
• 763,000 constituents (2020)
• Elected Board with seven directors
• Funded primarily through property tax
• 27 Preserves in Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa
Cruz counties
• Preserved over 72,000 acres & 260 miles of trails
Over 15,000 acres of grazing land on the San Mateo
Coast
• Preserves are free and open to the public every
day of the year
• Main office in Los Altos + field offices
• ~250 employees, ~1000 volunteers
• Measure AA: $300 million voter-approved general
obligation bond passed in 2014 to support public
priorities 6
Nearby Preserves
Photo: Erica Namba 7
Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
Photo: Hongyun Liu 8
Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve
Photo: Karl Gohl 9
Monte Bello Open Space Preserve
10Photo: Jessica Lucas
Stevens Creek Shoreline
Nature Study Area 11
Ravenswood Open Space Preserve
Photo: Madhur Kulkarni 12
Long Ridge. Charles Tu
Program & Project
Updates
13 Wildland Fire Resiliency Program:
Santa Clara County
14 For more information, please visit
www.openspace.org/fire
Prescribed Burns
• Benefits of Prescribed Burns
Reduces wildfire risk and intensity
Helps preserve grassland habitats by
burning encroaching shrubs and trees
Cycles carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus
through the ecosystem
California’s native plant community is
adapted to and dependent on periodic
fires sweeping through the landscape
• Burn Goals
Training for Midpen staff
Ecosystem restoration
Fuel reduction
15 Midpen Staff at Prescribed Burn, 2024
Photo: Michael Gorman
Enhancing ADA Accessibility within Preserves
16 Conservation Career Fair 2026
17 Interpretation & Education Programs
18 Daniels Nature Center
Photo: John Green
Spaces & Species Field Trip
Photo: Anouchka Gaillard
Docent
-
Led Hike
Photo: Karen DeMello
Docent Naturalist Program
• ~100 Docent
Naturalists (DNs),
who lead guided
activities
on preserves
• Activity topics are
diverse, creative,
intentionally
thematic, and
place-based
19 Photo: Dave Kocsis
Photo: Catherine
Crawford
-
Swent
Photo: Lindsay Joye
Photo: Joyce Tang
20 2025 Highlights: Partnership Program
“As we reflect on our work in 2025, it is clear that our impact is a direct result of the collaborative
partnerships we share with organizations like yours.”
-Aurora Cortes, SF Bay Area Regional Coordinator
Latino Outdoors
Student Conservation Association at Los Trancos Preserve Latino Outdoors at Bear Creek Preserve
Saved by Nature at El Corte de Madera Preserve
Critical Wildlife Linkages
Interconnected habitat
is essential
• Supports species with
large home ranges
• Facilitates animal
movement in response
to changes in habitat
(e.g. wildfire, pollution,
or changing weather
patterns)
• Promotes gene flow to
keep wildlife populations
diverse and healthy
21 Highway 17 Undercrossing
22 Photo: Ken Hickman
Highway 17 Overcrossing
23 Current Status & Next Steps
Date Task
2024-2026 Caltrans Plans, Specifications, & Estimates
(Final Design)
Fundraising!
2027 &
Beyond
Bidding & Construction (funding dependent)
VTA is the project delivery partner
Current target groundbreaking – 2027
24 Key Partners:
25 Rodenticide Outreach
For more information:
openspace.org/rodenticides
The choices you
make at home affect
open space.
Rodenticides impact
the very wildlife that
already naturally
control rodent
populations.
Long Ridge. Charles Tu
Visit a Preserve &
Get Involved
26 Join Us! Midpen Events Calendar
27 Find us at
openspace.org/events
Get Involved!
28 Join a volunteer project!
Subscribe to Midpen’s newsletter!
Join an event or activity!
Follow us on social media
@midpenopenspace
29 We are Midpen!
Questions?
openspace.org
[email protected]
Los Trancos, Thirumalai Suresh
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