Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority

The District owns and operates Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space Preserve and Sierra Vista Open Space Preserve. The District also manages and maintains properties that are currently closed to the public, including Diablo Foothills, Palassou Ridge, Coyote Valley, El Toro, and Santa Cruz Mountains properties. The District provides a variety of activities that are free to the public, such as guided nature hikes, bike and equestrian rides, photography walks, educational programs for children, and stargazing sessions. The District engages in resource management, such as protecting waterways and natural resources and removing invasive plants, preserving cultural artifacts and supporting agriculture and ranching. The District has an Urban Open Space program, which reserves 20 percent of its capital expenditures for open space projects of the participating cities and the County. Projects that qualify for funding include land acquisition, environmental restoration, and improvements that provide or enhance open space.