In November, the brisk air fills with migrating birds just as acorns adorn native oak trees. Learn about the distinctly somber song of the golden-crowned sparrow and how to correctly identify the different species of oaks found in Midpen preserves. Learn more about Midpen's trail building process and how we are working to be the best neighbor we can (eat your heart out Ned Flanders). Plus, join us for a special open house showcasing several restoration-focused projects!
Read this and more in the November edition of Plug Into Nature.
Nature in November:
Listen! The Migratory Songbirds are Arriving
"♪I’m so wear-ry♫." We’ve begun to hear that plaintive, descending four-note song over the past several of weeks which can only mean one thing: The golden-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia atricapilla) have arrived as they do each year right around the fall equinox.
After migrating thousands of miles from their summer breeding grounds in the shrubby tundra of Canada and Alaska, they make their way to warmer latitudes along the western United States, including the Bay Area.
Clockwise starting on top left: Blue oak (Cricket Raspet/iNaturalist); Canyon Live Oak (Mike Heine/iNaturalist); Coast Live Oak (Katie Kucera/iNaturalist); Valley Oak acorn (Anne Parsons/iNaturalist).
Become an Acorn Aficionado, Impress Your Friends
Midpen's open space preserves are home to thousands of native acorn-producing oaks. Every autumn, you will begin seeing acorns when out hiking the Midpen preserves or walking around town.
This time of year, when both acorn and leaves are present, is great for identifying oaks. Here are some tips to help you identify four commonly found oaks on your next outdoor adventure.
Midpen offers more than 250 miles of trails in our 27 open space preserves, which go a long way toward fulfilling the “ecologically sensitive public enjoyment” strand of our braided mission. In October, Midpen held a board study session, reviewing several board-adopted policy and guideline documents that inform trail planning and construction activities.
A key component of all trail planning and construction is to minimize impacts to the environment during construction and from future trail use.
If you live adjacent to a Midpen preserve, we would like to invite you to provide input as we work to update our Good Neighbor Policy.
The Good Neighbor Policy guides Midpen’s relationships with our preserve neighbors, including guidelines and actions related to protecting privacy and involving neighbors in policy development, land use and management decisions. The policy defines neighbors as residents and property owners adjacent to or near a Midpen preserve who may be affected by land management or visitor activities.
You can provide your feedback on the proposed Good Neighbor Policy updates in three ways:
Online Neighbor Survey through November 26.
Virtual Public Workshop via Zoom on Tuesday, November 14 at 6 p.m.
Written comment cards available at any Midpen offices during business hours.
Nov. 8 Public Meeting on a Potential New Connection and Expanded Parking at Purisima Creek Redwoods Preserve
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission is planning a new Bay Area Ridge Trail segment on their watershed lands that would terminate near the North Ridge parking area and trailhead in Purisima Creek Redwoods.
As a project partner, Midpen is exploring the feasibility of connecting this proposed new trail segment to Purisima Creek Redwood's existing trail system, which would require crossing Highway 35. Midpen is also exploring the expansion of the North Ridge parking area to better meet visitor needs.
Join the Midpen board of directors at their regular public meeting on Wednesday, November 8 as they receive a presentation on the findings, recommendations and public input from the project feasibility study. The board will also review and consider selecting a preferred conceptual design for the parking area expansion, enabling the required environmental review process to begin.
You’re Invited! Nov. 16 Open House Offers a Behind-the-Scenes Look at How Midpen Cares for the Land
Midpen staff are passionate about restoring open space lands to help make life better in the Bay Area, and want to share these projects with you during our habitat restoration open house at Midpen’s administrative office in Los Altos on Thursday, November 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Midpen’s overarching mission has three critical components: preserving open space land, restoring the natural environment and providing for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education. A large part of the work Midpen does today centers around the restoration aspect of our mission, yet it is often hard to see. Midpen lands have long histories of various human uses, and our staff are excited to share information and answer questions about how we work to restore the natural functions of grasslands, waterways and forests so that life can continue to thrive in our region. Multiple projects will be featured including:
Long Ridge Forest Health, Hendrys Creek Restoration, Irish Ridge Restoration and more!
Drop by anytime, and while you’re there, find out about current paid internships, job openings and volunteer opportunities.
Upcoming Public Meetings
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.
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:
You can also refer to our website openspace.org/careers for more information about working at Midpen.
Other photo credits: Header: David Y. Porter; Golden-crowned sparrow: George Perlstein; Trails meeting: Karl Gohl; Good neighbor: Larry Klein; Ridge Trail: Erin Ashford; Restoration: Midpen.
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