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8/3/2019 Spring 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space
Authority Newsletter
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OSA
Spring
Join
us
for
Hike,
Bike,
Hoof&
Roll
ACe
lebrationo
f
Na
tiona
lTrails
Day
an
d
the
Open
ing
of2New
Tra
ils
atRanc
ho
Ca
a
da
de
lOro
Open
Space
Pr
eserve
Satu
rday
June2,2007
10:30amt
o1:3
0pm
www.o
penspaceau
tho
rity
.org
The Llagas Creek
quiet of a creek sid
area on Rancho C
the half-mile trail is
along its path. (se
1 Hike, Bike, Hoof & Roll
Celebration
at Rancho
on June 2
1 Partnering
with the
Audubon
Society
1 Volunteer
Opportunities
2 Field Staff
Addition
2 Mayfair
Ranch Trail
Welcomes
Bikes
3 Share the
Trail: the Key
is Courtesy
3 Interpretive
Focus for
New Staffer
INSIDE
OpenSpaceAuthor
ity
6830Viade
lOro,
Ste
200
San
Jose,
CA95119
workingtoprotectsensitivelandsfromdevelopment,
pre
servenaturalcommunities,
andmanageopenspaceinwaysthatalsopromoteagricultureandcompatiblerecreation
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8/3/2019 Spring 2007 Outlook, Santa Clara County Open Space
Authority Newsletter
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New Trail Creates Bicycle Access
Derek Neumann
(center), supervising
open space technician,
instructs two
West Valley College
Park Management
students during a work day
in April on how theyll use
weed whips to mark a trail
alignment and begin the process of
clearing and grading the trail.
2
Long-Time Volunteer Joins Field Staff
A veteran of French broom removals on OSA lands, David Tharp is
nowspending his time cutting brush along trails, building fences,
patrolling OSApreserves, and, yes, removing French broom. Its all
in a days work for
OSAs newest open space technician.
David grew up in Santa Clara County watching urban growth
transform thelandscape year by year. Hes happy for the chance now
to help preserve
open space in and around his hometown. His passion is plants and
hes sethimself the goal of earning a degree in biology with an
emphasis in botany.
Connector to otherOSA trails bypassesCalero County Park
The Mayfair Ranch Trail bringssomething brand new to RanchoCaada
del Oro Open Space Pre-serve: bicycles.
Its a three-mile connector trail thatallows visitors to the
preserve toreach Longwall Canyon and BaldPeaks trails without
crossing into
the county park, where bikes areprohibited.
The trail winds up a
manzanita-studdedridge, passes throughshady oak woodlands
and breezy meadows,
then drops into Baldy Ryan Canyonbefore connecting with an old
ranchroad that leads to the other trails.
From the higher portions of the trail
hikers can enjoy beautiful views ofthe Llagas Creek and Baldy
Ryan
watersheds as well as glimpses ofthe valleys beyond.
Construction of the trail required
the hard work of OSA field staff,open space planners,
contrac-tors and volunteers. A partnership
between OSA and the West ValleyCollege Park Management
Program
brought a crew of 18 students preserve in April to shoulder
w
whips, chain saws and rakes aslearned about trail
constructionhands-on way.
The Mayfair Ranch Trail will bdedicated June 2 in a
communcelebration of National Trails Dthat will bring together the
ma
types of trail users who visit RaCaada del Oro.
The 3,017-acre preserve is ope
the public free of charge. From16 through September 15 hou
6 a.m. to sunset.
ter hours are 7 ato sunset.) Therestaging area at thof Casa Loma
Ro
with paved parkspace for horse ters, picnic tablesa vault
toilet.
No drinking watfor humans is avable on the prese
but an innovativ
water trough witequine-operated
ensures a water sfor horses.
Visit www.openspaceauthority.org to learn more
David Tharp on the Mayfa
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Authority Newsletter
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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
YIELD
Rules of the trail arebased on courtesy andcommon sense
OSA lands are first and foremost
preserves that offer protection tovaluable elements of the
naturalworld: empty hillsides, clean creeks,
quiet meadows and woodlands.Each of these habitats is home to
awide variety of plants and animals,some of them recognized for
their
endangered status.
As visitors to open space lands, itsimportant to remember that
we are
in someone elses home, even if thatsomeone else is a
salamander,frog or rare wildflower.
Profile: Teri RogowayCoordinator of Interpretive Programs
A San Jose native, Teri spent many childhood hoursexploring Alum
Rock Park; as an adult she got to be apark ranger there. She comes
to this new OSA position from
the Youth Science Institute and is excited about the chanceto
create an interpretive program from the ground up.
One of Teris priorities will be to establish the
LeopoldEducation Project (LEP), a conservation education programfor
adults based on the writings of Aldo Leopold.
She also looks forward to building on the night activities
that got their start at OSA last fall. Star parties and
nighthikes will return to Rancho Caada del Oro soon.
Teri is also working on a masters degree in multicultural
interpretation and interpretation for special needs.
Share the Trail
Trail Use Guidelines
Hike with a friend and tell
someone where youre going.
Dress for a range of weather
conditions and carry water.
Stay on the trails and follow
posted regulations.
Yield the way to equestrians; let
them pass without undue noise
or activity.
Bicyclists need to watch down-
hill speeds and go slowly
around hikers.
Keep children close at all times.
For this reason, we ask all ourvisitors to stay on designated
trIn addition, we post regulation
help users enjoy the trails withannoying others.
Being alert is key. Look out for
people around you. If youre oa bicycle, reduce your speed
aannounce your presence when
approach hikers.
Both hikers and cyclists need taside for equestrians. Give
horthat extra bit of space, since th
dont always respond as we mexpect them to.
By respecting the needs of oth
and the integrity of the habitatswere visiting, we can enjoy
outime on the trail and leave nodamage or hard feelings behin
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Authority Newsletter
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, ,
Give Birds a Chance
OSA field staff are working with
Lee Pauser, a Santa Clara ValleyAudubon Society volunteer,
tohelp offset the effects of habitat loss
and nest-site competition that havecaused decline in a number
of
native bird populations.Technicians mapped nest boxlocations
using GPS (global posi-tioning system) technology, andLee will
monitor the nest boxes
throughout the nesting season.
Data collected in the past haveshown the Cavity Nesters
Recovery
Program to be an effective methodof conservation for
bluebirds,chestnut-backed chickadees,
ash-throated flycatchers and others.This is the first year
nesting boxeshave been placed in Llagas
Meadow. So far no birds havetaken up residence.
Hike, Bike, Hoof
Volunteer Paul
Billig talks witha visitor to the
OSA booth
at this years
Ulistac
Wildflower
Day.
Nesting boxes for bluebirds and other
cavity-nesting birds dot the Llagas
Meadow at Rancho Caada del Oro.
Volunteer Opportunities
Stewardship:
contact Brad Pennington at 408.226.3175
[email protected] 19,French broom removal at
UvasJune 23, French broom removal at Rancho
Community Outreach:
contact Michelle Acua at 408.224.7476
[email protected]
June 24,Wellness & Recreation Fun Fair, Sa
Visit www.openspaceauthority.org to learn more about these
activities.
Dedications Mark National Trails D
Saturday, June 2, will be a great day to get out and go when OSA
joinwith organizations here in Santa Clara County and around the
country
celebrate National Trails Day.
Two new trails at Rancho Caada del Oro that provide more types
of tuse will be dedicated in a day of fun that includes a picnic,
guided wachildrens activities and information
about outings, sports and services
available in our area.Llagas Creek Loop Trail is a half-mile
paved nature trail that circles themeadow adjacent to the Casa
LomaRoad staging area. Its gentle grade
and wealth of native plants, trees,birds and other wildlife make
it awonderful place for hikers who usewheelchairs, push strollers,
or just
want to enjoy a quiet stroll.
The Mayfair Ranch Trail is a three-
mile-long connector to otherpreserve trails that bypasses
CaleroCounty Park, where bicycles areprohibited. This enables OSA
toopen Longwall Canyon Trail and
Bald Peaks Trail to bikes.
Festivities begin at 10:30 a.m. and
run till 1:30 p.m. A picnic lunch
will be provided so feel free to
bring blankets and camp chairs.
No dogs, please.
There is no potable water on thepreserve but bottled water will
be
available. A vault toilet is located at the staging area and
paved
parking will be reserved for vehicles with handicapped
placards.
Visit www.openspaceauthority.org or call 408.224.7476 for
direct
