Fall 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

8/3/2019 Fall 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

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OSAFall 20

1 OSA and the

Bay Area

Ridge Trail

build on a

common

vision

2 Mountain

lions on

Rancho

Caadadel Oro

3 OSA presents

the Aldo

Leopold

Education

Program

3 Additional

programs

available for

teachers,

scout troops,youth

groups and

others

INSIDE

OpenSpaceAuthor

ity

6830ViadelOro,

Ste

200

SanJose,

CA95119

OSAisworkingtoprotectsensitivelands,p

reservenat

uralcommunities,

andmanageopenspaceinwaysthatpromoteagriculture

andcompatiblerecreation.

Recentmountainlion

sightingsonRancho

CaadadelOroO

pen

SpacePreserveoff

erus

areminderthatop

en

spacelandsareth

e

hometerritoryofm

any

species.Asvisitors,

weneedtobeaw

are

ofoursurroundingsand

followguidelinesfor

avoidinghuman-w

ildlife

encounters. Mercedes meets a

Nature Summer D

at Rancho Caada

children and their

mornings in natur


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This image, taken by a mounted surveillance camera on Rancho Caada

del Oro Open Space Preserve, captured a mountain l ion strolling down the

Bald Peaks Trail just before 6 a.m. on July 1.

LIONS on Our LandsTheyre called mountain lions and cougars, pumas, panthers

or catamounts but they can live in many different habitats.Theyve been seen in deserts and coastal forests, and from sealevel to an elevation of 10,000 feet. In fact, nearly 80,000 squarmiles of California, roughly half the state, is considered prime

mountain lion habitat.

Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve is part of that

range.

Lions are generally secretive and solitary. Theyre most active anight when they hunt their prey, primarily deer. For this reasonsightings are rare, but they do occur. Drier conditions are drawwildlife more into the open as they search for water, and where

deer are on the move lions may follow behind.

How much risk is there?

Interactions with humans are infrequent but often make the newcreating an exaggerated sense of danger. There is actually a fargreater risk, according to the California Department of Fish &

Game, of being struck by lightning than attacked by a cougar.

Because mountain lions were granted special protected mamm

status within the state in 1990, its important for all of us who vopen space to act in ways that minimize the chance of human-l

encounters. This is for our protection and for theirs.

Making smart choicesSince research has found that solitary hikers are three times

more likely to encounter a lion, hiking in groups is a reasonable precaution. Also, lions seem to be drawn to smallchildren, so its important to keep them in reach at all times

If you do see a lion, give it room. Dont approach. Most motain lions will try to avoid a confrontation if theres a way toescape. Try to appear large and menacing by raising yourarms, opening your jacket or holding a pack or walking stic

over your head. Pick uand hold children.

Dont run. Dont crou

or bend over. Speakin a loud, firm voice.If the lion approaches,

fight back. Throw rockor sticks. People have effectively defended themselves or familymembers in the past with whatever they could grab.

If you see a mountainlion on OSA property

During regular business hours(8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday throughFriday) please call our office at408.224.7476 so we can record

some information about your

sighting.

If you see a lion in the evening oron a weekend, please call theoffice number and leave your nameand contact information. We will

return your call as soon as possible.

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Santa Clara County Open Space Aut6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA

tel 408.224.7476 fax 408.22

www.openspaceauthor

OSAs interpretive coordinator TeriRogoway has taken on the roleof state coordinator for the AldoLeopold Education Project. Leopold

taught that the earth is a communitywe belong to, not a commodity we

own.

Through workshops that providehands-on nature experiences Teriwill train educators and conserva-tionists to share Leopolds message

with others. The role of ethical landsteward is one all of us can play.

Teri will begin offering workshops

in November. The sessions, whichrun for a total of from four to eight

The objective is to teach students to see the land,

to understand what they see, and enjoy what they unde

Aldo Leopold

An Ethical Relationship to the Landhours, can be adapted to accommo-date in-service, weekend, or after-school sessions for teachers.

The program includes nature walks,activities, and lessons based on AldoLeopoldsA Sand County Almanac.A materials fee of $35 per person

covers the cost of materials for creat-ing personal Leopold-based lessons.

This project can be adapted to an in-

structors curriculum and passed onto students. It is a gentleway to introduce studentsto wildlife conservation.

Helping children relate tothe land and feel a sense

of belonging and stewardship for the future. Educators are be

ning to realize that many urbasuburban children have almosconnection to the natural worl

The Aldo Leopold Education Pis a program of Pheasants Forea national organization that prwildlife by restoring habitat.

photobyLarkBurkhart

photobyDavidTharp

Fall ProgramsIn addition to Aldo Leopold training Teri has interpretiveprograms on a variety of subjects available. Past programs

have included the early settlers of San Jose, Ohlone Indiansnature walks, reptile programs, how water moves across theearth, geology, animal senses and bugs.

She enjoys researching new topics and is up to any chal-

lenge. Programs for the classroom; for scouts, youthgroups and hiking clubs; field trips to OSA lands; andguided walks are some of the possibilities. Contact Teri at408.224.7476 or [email protected].

photobyDavidTharp


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OSA BART

The Boccardo Trail,

OSAs first link in the

Bay Area Ridge Trail.

Another link in thetrail chain was added

with the recent

purchase of a 20-acre

parcel adjacent to

other OSA property

and public lands in

the foothills of the

Santa Cruz Mountains.

The goals of the Open Space Authority and the Bay ArRidge Trail intersect in the hills and high country of SaClara County. Its here that the land offers spectacular

and provides key habitat for plants and wildlife.

Just as a matrix of connected public lands makes sensethe movement of animals, a regional trail system is a g

idea for humans. Being able to hike (or bike or ride a hthrough ridge line habitats anywhere in the Bay Area isunique way to understand the astonishing diversity of

region.

Buying property along the proposed ridge trail alignmeis a conservation priority for OSA. The Boccardo Trail

the foothills east of San Jose is an established link. Lanacquired this year south of Coyote LakeHarvey BearCounty Park offer another potential connection.

And a recent small purchase in the foothills of the SantCruz Mountains ties together two large parcels of proteland and connects two portions of the BART.

When completed, the Bay Area Ridge Trail will cover than 500 miles. Already over 300 miles of the trail havbeen dedicated through the coordination of the Bay ArRidge Trail Council and the participation of parks depa

ments, open space agencies, volunteers and voters whapproved funding for regional trail development.

photosbyLarkBurkhart

Open Space Authority Uvas

Uvas Canyon

County Park

Midpeninsula

Regional

Open Space

District

Bay Area Ridge Trail

Proposed Alignment

Open Space Authority Purchase

The purchase this year

of the Doan and Nielsen

ranches in South County

offers the potential for

additional Bay Area Ridge

Trail connections.

Documents

Fall 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter