In this issue, learn about how the Santa Cruz Mountains region's rich biodiversity produces several winter flowering plants and where you can spot them. Plus, read more about the accomplishments of Measure AA in a recently released report and how that bond measure is funding new visitor amenities in La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve.
Clockwise starting on left: Big berry manzanita (Jordan Collins, iNaturalist), California gooseberry (Efren Alvarez), Redwood violet (Flower Hunter/iNaturalist)
Nature in February: Winter Blooms and Where to Find Them
We often think of winter as a time for rest. A quiet moment of dormancy spent in preparation for what’s to come. Although spring boasts the greatest array of wildflowers because of our region's rich biodiversity, flowers can be found year-round.
For some California native plants, winter is their time to shine. Well-adapted to historically mild winters, these plants provide welcome splashes of color across our landscape and can be a staple food source for migrating and resident animals.
In January, Midpen partnered with the Peninsula Humane Society to release a Northern pygmy owl (Glaucidium gnoma) in Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve. The owl found its way into a community member's RV and needed to be quickly released back into the wild. Midpen open space preserves help create wide swaths of greenbelt, critical for native species to find suitable territory, ample food and resources for shelter.
Northern pygmy owls are some of the smallest species of owls, reaching an average height of 6.5 inches (slightly longer than a dollar bill) and weighing 2.5 ounces (about the weight of a tennis ball). However, don't let their small stature fool you. These voracious predators take down prey much larger than themselves, including songbirds and rodents.
Please note, animal releases in Midpen preserves are strictly prohibited without explicit permission from Midpen. Releasing pets or other non-native species can harm native species through predation, competition for food and disease.
New Visitor Amenities at La Honda Creek Preserve are First of More to Come
Journey one mile down the Harrington Creek Trail from the main parking area in La Honda Creek Preserve, and you’ll discover two new benches where you can pause, rest and take in spectacular views of surrounding coastal hills and forested ridges. These new amenities are the first step in enhancing visitor experience at the preserve, funded in part by Measure AA.
Equestrians can utilize a newly installed hitching post and mounting block. A beautifully illustrated new interpretive sign explores the role conservation grazing plays in helping to maintain native biodiversity of the surrounding coastal grasslands, in the absence of grazing wildlife herds and periodic fires no longer present on the landscape.
Though small in scale, these new amenities represent the low-hanging fruit of larger, longer-term recommendations Midpen is currently exploring the feasibility of to improve and build out the trail system and visitor experience at La Honda Creek Preserve.
These recommendations came out of the La Honda Public Access Working Group, made up of Midpen board members and constituents from throughout Midpen’s service area who spent a year of hard work, listening, field scouting trips, meetings, creativity, compromise and commitment to identify a suite recommended solutions that meet all project goals.
Midpen is pleased to announce the publication of our eighth Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report. As we celebrate the bond's 10-year anniversary, we will continue to highlight accomplishments and progress on projects funded by Measure AA.
The new report reflects Measure AA expenditures in fiscal year 2023, (July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023), on 25 priority actions and project portfolios organized by location. These priority actions were the culmination of a collaborative and community-driven 18-month vision planning effort. In fiscal year 2023, Midpen spent $22.1 million bringing the life-to-date total bond expenditure total to $110.4 million.
Highlights in this year’s report include the 5,100-acre purchase of Cloverdale Ranch, the close of escrow on the 612-acre South Cowell property, completion of the first phase of construction on the Alpine Road Regional Trail Improvements, completion of the site construction and rehabilitation of the Alma Cultural Landscape at Bear Creek Redwoods and more.
Approved by voters in 2014, Measure AA is a 30-year, $300 million general obligation bond to protect natural and working lands; open preserve lands to the public; construct public access improvements such as new trails and parking/staging areas; and restore and enhance open space land, forests, streams, watersheds and coastal ranch areas. When the public approved Measure AA, they also approved an ongoing review of expenditures through a Bond Measure Oversight Committee.
The program covers trail maintenance, low-impact facility improvements, habitat enhancement and environmental restoration. (Jack Owicki)
Cutting Through the Green Tape
With over 900 culverts, 150 trail bridges and 230 miles of streams across our preserves, Midpen crews are constantly making minor improvements and conducting ongoing maintenance.
The San Mateo County Planning Commission recently granted a five-year permit for Midpen's Open Space Maintenance and Restoration Program. This permit will allow us to maximize time spent maintaining trails, restoring creeks and repairing infrastructure.
Bear Creek Redwoods Multiuse Trail Alignment Selected
Midpen staff developed several potential trail alignments for the future multiuse trail in Bear Creek Redwoods in response to ongoing public interest. The alignment options separated horseback and bicycle user groups to varying degrees and took into account construction timelines and projected costs.
The board opted to select alternative 3, which primarily follows the route of new trails under construction in the preserve, but safely separates visitors at a key location where the trail transitions at a steep slope from bright sun into darker shade. The board also opted for an additional equestrian bypass trail, which would allow for horseback riders to avoid the multiuse trail segment.
With the alignment selected, staff will now conduct additional trail-scouting, permitting and construction. The multiuse trail is projected to open in 2027, subject to funding and available resources.
Meetings may be viewed online. There is also a dial-in number to listen by phone. Links are included in the meeting agendas posted online 72 hours before the meeting.
Public comments are welcome at all Midpen board meetings. You can speak for up to three minutes in-person, via Zoom or provide written comments for the board to read. Either way, get started by submitting a public comment form.
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Continuing Collaboration: Midpen and Latino Outdoors
Midpen recently entered into a two-year contract with Latino Outdoors to provide engaging outdoor experiences for diverse participants at various open space preserves and through online virtual presentations. Midpen has partnered with Latino Outdoors since 2015.
The move to a 2-year contact will further strengthen this partnership and build increased capacity by allowing longer-term planning.
Free guided activities lead by volunteer docent naturalists offer a great way to explore a new preserve, learn about the natural environment or join others for environmentally sensitive outdoor recreation.
Join our talented and dynamic team as we work collaboratively toward our vision and put your passion for open space to work! Here are our current job openings:
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