Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 40 views

    Spring 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

    Uploaded by

    Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
    The document summarizes activities and events from the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. It discusses the acquisition of additional land at the Blair Ranch, volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal and trail maintenance, and upcoming nature education programs including docent-led hikes of Coyote Ridge and summer day camps for children.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Spring 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

    Uploaded by

    Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
    40 views4 pages
    The document summarizes activities and events from the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. It discusses the acquisition of additional land at the Blair Ranch, volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal and trail maintenance, and upcoming nature education programs including docent-led hikes of Coyote Ridge and summer day camps for children.

    Original Description:

    Spring 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

    Copyright

    © Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The document summarizes activities and events from the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. It discusses the acquisition of additional land at the Blair Ranch, volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal and trail maintenance, and upcoming nature education programs including docent-led hikes of Coyote Ridge and summer day camps for children.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    40 views4 pages

    Spring 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

    Uploaded by

    Santa Clara County Open Space Authority
    The document summarizes activities and events from the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority. It discusses the acquisition of additional land at the Blair Ranch, volunteer opportunities for invasive plant removal and trail maintenance, and upcoming nature education programs including docent-led hikes of Coyote Ridge and summer day camps for children.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    of 4

    OSA is working to protect sensitive lands, preserve natural communities, and manage open space in ways that promote

    agriculture and compatible recreation.

    OSA OUTLOOK

    Spring 2008 Vol. 2 No. 1

    INSIDE
    1 OSA works with other agencies to acquire the Blair Ranch 2 OSA and SVLC will offer Coyote Ridge hikes 2 Outdoor projects for volunteers 2 Native plant nursery in the works 3 Summer day camp sessions planned 3 Aldo Leopold nature education training

    Santa Clara County Open Space Authority 6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95119

    Springtime is a great time to get out and enjoy the Authoritys trails and preserves. We have volunteer opportunities that will take you to lands not open yet and training for trail volunteers and nature educators. And with SVLC were offering docent-led hikes on beautiful Coyote Ridge.

    photo by Lark Burkhart

    Views stretch in all directions from the ridges of the Authoritys newest acquisition in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Blair property abuts Rancho Caada del Oro and offers a wealth of natural habitat and the opportunity to extend existing trail networks.

    Ranch Land Addition for OSA

    The Open Space Authority will acquire 868 additional acres in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains when the purchase of a portion of the Blair Ranch is completed in March. The property lies along the southern border of Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve. A working cattle ranch, the land has been in the Blair family since the 1950s. Its rolling hills are dotted with oak trees, and seasonal creeks feed several ranch ponds. Grazing will continue to be part of the management plan for this property.

    Plant communities found on the property include California annual grassland, purple needlegrass, bigberry manzanita and California sagebrush as well as California bay, buckeye and sycamore trees and coast live and blue oaks.

    State and federally listed plants found on the Blair Ranch include smooth lessingia, most beautiful jewel-flower, Santa Clara Valley dudleya and Halls bush mallow. The ponds and grasslands provide habitat which may support California red-legged frogs, California tiger salamanders and Foothill yellowlegged frogs. The purchase was negotiated and partially funded by Peninsula Open Space Trust. Other partners include the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, California Coastal Conservancy and Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation. The purchase price was $8,680,000. With this purchase OSA and the county parks department together protect 7,378 contiguous acres in this part of the Llagas and Uvas creeks watershed. OSA plans to open these beautiful hills and valleys to visitors within five years.

    Calero County Park


    ld

    Ba

    ea

    il Tra ks

    Longwall Canyon Trail

    CASA LOMA ROAD


    il Tra

    fair May

    ch R an

    P
    Staging Area

    Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve

    Mt. Chual

    a lag

    sC

    ree

    Litt le

    Uv as Cr ee k

    Blair Ranch

    photos by Lark Burkhart


    Mc

    KEAN
    ROAD

    Catamount Trail

    Llag as C k ree
    AD S RO UVA

    Homegrown Natives
    When the Open Space Authority purchased the Furtado property in the east foothills several years ago, it also acquired several old ranch buildings. The barn had been used for many years in a cattle operation and was still structurally sound. It has required a lot of clean up, repair, and the addition of fencing to keep out browsing deer, but the old building is being readied for new service as a native plant nursery. One aspect of habitat restoration on OSA lands is the reintroduction of native plant species in areas that have been disturbed and overrun by invasive weeds. Native bunch grasses and valley oaks are returning to Llagas Meadow on Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve as part of a current revegetation project. Native plant stock grown at the nursery will provide specimens to use in reestablishing plant communities that can support native birds, insects and animals.
    photo by Lark Burkhart

    Is There A Weed Wrench In Your Future?

    See Coyote Ridge in Springtime


    The Open Space Authority is collaborating with Silicon Valley Land Conservancy to open Coyote Ridge to the public during the spectacular display of spring wildflowers. Docent-led hikes will introduce visitors to the unique natural history of the area, which includes 430 native plants and 20 threatened or endangered species as well as some of the best views in the county. The hikes, a 4-hour moderate walk, are currently scheduled from March 29 through May 4 every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. The hikes fill quickly so reserve your spot soon at www.siliconvalleylc.org.

    Invasive plant eradication is a rite of spring on OSA lands. If you enjoy being outside, working hard, getting dirty, having fun, meeting people and improving the environment, this is a volunteer opportunity made for you. A number of volunteer projects are scheduled in the coming months on the Furtado property near Alum Rock Park and lands adjacent to Uvas Canyon County Park. Inclement weather will cancel a work day. Saturday, April 5: Furtado Friday, April 18: Uvas Friday, April 25: Uvas Saturday, May 17: Uvas Saturday, May 31: Uvas
    photo by David Tharp

    A volunteer carries 2 weed wrenches across Uvas Creek.

    Or a Shift on the Trail Helping Others?


    Trail patrol volunteers are the eyes and ears that help keep OSA staff informed about trail conditions. They answer questions and provide directions for visitors. And they work on horseback, on a bicycle or on foot. The next trail patrol training will be held in May. To participate, volunteers must attend one indoor training session and the field session. May 13, 57 p.m. Program expectations, rules and regulations May 14, 68 p.m. Program expectations, rules and regulations May 18, 10 a.m.4 p.m. Field training and guided hike For more information about becoming a field volunteer, send an email to Derek Neumann at dneumann@openspaceauthority.org.

    Santa Clara County Open Space Authority


    6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95119 tel 408.224.7476 fax 408.224.7548
    Variable Checkerspot by Cait Hutnik

    www.openspaceauthority.org

    NATURE EDUCATION TRAINING

    Join the Aldo Leopold Education Project, a program designed by Pheasants Forever to help kids and adults reconnect with nature. Training, based on the writings of Aldo Leopolds A Sand County Almanac, will be held this spring. Its a handson, interactive outdoor experience gentle enough for every student. The first evening will be spent indoors exploring activities that can be taken back to the classroom or youth program. The following day in the field is a chance to learn about our areas plants and animals. The training will be 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10. The cost is $30.

    Plan Now for Summer Day Camp


    A free day camp program for grandparents and their grandkids is returning to Rancho Caada del Oro this summer for the week of Monday, July 7, through Friday, July 11. A schedule of outdoor activities, crafts and nature explorations will run from 9 a.m. to noon. New this year is a day camp session designed for children with developmental special needs. Parents are invited to accompany their child for a gentle, safe and nurturing outdoor experience. This session will be from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, August 11 through Friday, August 15.

    These programs are designed for children 5 to 10 years of age who can attend with a grandparent, parent or guardian. To enroll your child or learn more, contact Teri Rogoway at 408.224.7476 or trogoway@ openspaceauthority.org.

    Not Your Ordinary Tarantula


    by Teri Rogoway We have a new addition to our interpretive animal family here at OSA. She is a Chilean rose-haired tarantula, about 4 inches from toe to toe and mostly brown with a slight orange tint. A young female, her name is Rosie Sayadinah. Rosie has already been on a field trip to visit a class of second graders. They were thrilled to meet her after learning about spiders during a field trip to Rancho Caada del Oro earlier in the year. I explained to the children that Im actually afraid of spiders and am overcoming this fear through education and familiarization, in hopes that they too could overcome their fears the same way.
    by to Te o ri R go wa y

    ph

    Anyone interested in spiders can request a program and actually see one up close. Contact me at 408.224.7476 or email trogoway@openspaceauthority.org.

    photo by Lark Burkhart

    You might also like