Fall 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

8/3/2019 Fall 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter

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Santa Clara County

Open Space Authority

6980 Santa Teresa Blvd., Ste 100

San Jose, CA 95119

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

NEW THIS FALL

• Moonlight bike rides at

Rancho Cañada del Oro

• “Open Day Bikes,” at

Blair Ranch, Sierra Vista

and Doan Ranch

• Staff-led nature hikes at

Palassou

• Staff-led horseback

programs at Blair Ranch

and Doan Ranch

Explore OSA lands not yetopen to the public. Check

www.openspaceauthority.org

for details.

ph o t o b y L ar k B ur k h ar t



p h o t o s b y A n g e l a M e n k e

2

News & Notes

Supreme Court Decision

November 4 Election

Scratch an adult who’s committed to protecting the environment

and you’ll often nd a child who spent time in the woods. Andpoking in creeks. Watching ants. Studying clouds.

For the Open Space Authority getting children

into nature is a way to ignite that spark of connec-tion in the next generation. It will be their task topreserve the open space their parents andgrandparents have collectively paid for.

This summer children and their parents spent aweek exploring Rancho Cañada del Oro. They

learned about the animals and plants found there,the interconnections among them, and the peoplewho lived in the area in earlier times. A second kids-and-parents day camp was held at Ulistac Natural Area in

the city of Santa Clara.

In addition, OSA provided three day camps for childrenwith physical and developmental disabilities. These camps,

at Blackford and Oster elementary schools, were a pilotprogram designed to test activities and teaching styles that

can serve children with special needs.

The Authority has completed the

move of its administrative ofceto the Bernal Business Park at thecorner of Bernal Road and SantaTeresa Boulevard. The ofce is

on the rst oor with direct out-door access. We are located nextto Realm Drive at 6980 Santa

Teresa Boulevard, Suite 100.

The Open Space Authority learned July 14 that theCalifornia Supreme Court found in favor of twotaxpayers associations in a lawsuit contesting the

Authority’s 2001 benet assessment.

The case has been returned to the lower courts for nal resolution in accord with the Supreme Court’s

decision. No judgment has been made about dis-position of $56.6 million in assessments collectedand held in reserve during the seven years of legalproceedings.

The terms of four OSA directors will expire at theend of 2008. Two incumbents were unopposed

and will continue to serve. In District 1 and Dis-trict 7 two candidates have qualied to run for thedirector’s seats. These districts include Morgan Hilland the unincorporated county and portions of the

Edenvale and Evergreen areas.

Summer Camp Recipe:Mix kids, nature, and fun ways to learn



Santa Clara County Open Space Authori6980 Santa Teresa Blvd., Ste 100 • San Jose, CA 951

tel 408.224.7476 • fax 408.224.75

www.openspaceauthority.o

3

Tracking the Wild TarantulaVolunteer Paul Billig will lead two hikes this fallduring the time male tarantulas make their annualcircuit looking for females.

Sunday, September 28, 1–6 p.m.Rancho Cañada del Oro

Six-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,500 feet.Meet at the Casa Loma Road staging area.

Sunday, October 5, 1–6 p.m.Boccardo Loop Trail

Six-mile hike, elevation gain of 1,400 feet.Meet by the electric gate, at the end of the road

in Alum Rock Park.

Both hikes are on fairly steep trails, but the pace willbe slow. Bring water, a light snack, and sun protection.

A Walk in the Forest Join volunteer Cait Hutnik on Rancho Cañada del OroOpen Space Preserve for three morning hikes this fall.

Learn about the preserve’s native trees, shrubs andwildlife from an experienced observer.

Saturday, September 20, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Rancho Cañada del Oro

Mayfair Ranch Trail, 4.5 miles.Meet at the Casa Loma Road staging area.

Saturday, October 18, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Rancho Cañada del Oro

Mayfair Ranch Trail, 4.5 miles.

Meet at the Casa Loma Road staging area.

Saturday, November 15, 8 a.m.–12:30 p.m.Rancho Cañada del Oro

Longwall Canyon, Bald Peaks and Catamounttrails, 6 miles.Meet at the Casa Loma Road staging area.

Learning to Lead: Nature ClassesThe Authority will offer several opportunities this fallfor teachers and group leaders to develop their natureeducation skills.

Teacher “Take a Hike” Training will give teachers thecondence to lead their own classes on fun-lled,informative hikes. This one-day workshop will be held

Saturday, November 15. A $10 charge will cover supplies.

On December 6 and 7, OSA interpreter Teri Rogowaywill lead a class based on the teachings of Aldo

Leopold. His “land ethic” became the basis of modernecology. A $35 fee covers instructional materialsparticipants will take home.

Sign up now for either of these classes by contactingTeri at [email protected] or 408-224-7476.

photo by John Scanlon

We’re having a Rockin’ RanchoHalloween this year so markyour calendar for October 25.Enjoy trick or treating, games,

crafts, and live critters. We alsoencourage costumes. Daylightfun for the family from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. at Rancho Cañada

del Oro Open Space Preserve.

Pink

Darth

Vader,

a.k.a.

Allie

Mundstock

2007

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Meanwhile, Back at the (Doan) Ranch

1

A stop at Doan Ranch on the Committee for Green Foothill’s farm tour in June was a crash

course in ranch economics and the balancingact of modern grazing management.

While about 40 guests enjoyed lunch amid views of

graceful hills, oak trees, and golden summer grass,OSA general manager Pat Congdon and long-timerancher Don Silacci described what it takes to bringcattle and open space lands together so that both

benet.

PartnershipAs the land manager and the grazing leaseholder onthe 702-acre Doan Ranch property, Pat and Don arean environmental partnership working to keep boththe grasslands and the practice of ranching sustainable

for the long term.

Besides being a food source and part of our state’sheritage, cattle can have a positive impact on the land.

They trim populations of invasive plants, create open-ings for native vegetation, reduce ammable fuel, andreturn nutrients to the soil.

Benets and CostsThese benets don’t come easily or cheaply. Howmany calf/cow units a given property can support de-

pends on the grass, which depends on the rain. Whichmeans decisions about how many cattle to graze,

where, and for how long have to

be made anew each year and oftenmonth by month.

There’s also a major investment

in infrastructure and transporta-tion. Opening and closing areas toachieve conservation goals requiresboundary and cross fencing. Water

sources have to be provided andmaintained, with consideration for the habitat of riparian species and

their life cycles. And cows don’t y any better than pigsdo: They have to be moved by trailer.

PressuresToday, rising oil costs, expanding development, foreigncompetition and other factors make ranching a precari-

ous venture. At the same time a secure, and preferablylocal, food base is becoming more of an issue.

The environmental coalition of openspace agencies and ranchers can

improve the odds that ranching,healthy grasslands and a sustainablelocal food supply will be here in thefuture.

It comes down to an observationDon made: “I need to leave enoughfeed here to protect the feed next

year. . . I have to take care of it like itwas my own.”

OSAgeneralmanagerPatCongdonLtoR:CynthiaD’Agosta,DonSilacci,WaltHayes,TomJordan

Lunchisservedat

DoanRanch,one

ofseveralstopsonthissummer’sCGF

farmtour. p h o t o s b y C a i t H u

t n i k

Documents

Fall 2008 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Newsletter