Midpen Fall Views 2026

Inside this issue: An Ice-Age mastodon fossil discovered, the winning photo contest images revealed, fires quickly doused, new trails ready to explore, free guided activities in nature all month and more.

A pair of pallid bats flying out of the barn at night.

Nature in Fall: Bats in the Barn

Midpen wanted to better understand how bats were using a century-old barn in La Honda Creek Preserve and partnered with a wildlife photographer to get a closer look. The resulting one-of-a-kind images are part art, part science and reveal surprising new information. Learn more here.

Images showing a fuel break through grasslands in the foreground and smoke rising from an oak woodland in the background.

Fires Quickly Halted

Small fires on Aug. 20 in Rancho San Antonio and Sept. 2 in Monte Bello preserves were contained in under an hour and held to less than a quarter-acre thanks to coordinated response by Midpen rangers, CAL FIRE and County Fire. Fuel breaks maintained by Midpen were already in place nearby (photo foreground). Fires are uncommon in Midpen preserves. Learn more here.

An artist's rendering of a Pacific mastadon.

An Exciting Ice-Age Discovery

The fossilized molar of an extinct mastodon was found in a Midpen preserve during a habitat improvement project. This glimpse into our local ecological past highlights the work of caring for wildlife and their habitats today. Learn more here.

And the Winners Are...

Midpen has announced the winners of our annual photo contest across six categories. See the images taken throughout Midpen preserves and learn the stories behind them from the photographers themselves here.

A rock with the words "Memento Mori" inscribed on it.

Schilling Spice in Open Space

Explore the remnants of Schilling Spice Company founder's grand summer estate in Midpen's Thornewood Open Space Preserve, guided by newly installed interpretive signs. Learn more here.

People walking on the new Bay Area Ridge Trail segment.

Celebrating New & Future Trails

Midpen is celebrating the opening of SFPUC’s Skyline Watershed Ridge Trail, a new Bay Area Ridge Trail segment. Midpen and SFPUC are planning a future connection to Midpen's Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. Learn more here.

People holding hands around the trunk of a redwood tree.

Events & Activities

Explore everything from “sky islands” to tiny seeds, appreciate less-loved species like vultures and spiders and give peaceful activities such as qigong and nature journaling a try on one of September’s free guided activities led by volunteer docent naturalists.

Hands-on volunteer projects are a great way to get involved and expand your knowledge about the importance of land stewardship. Take part in ongoing resource management efforts or join a volunteer trails program – new projects are posted the first Wednesday of each month.

Filter for upcoming easy-access events through Midpen's event calendar and learn more about accessibility at Midpen preserves here.

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. See the upcoming meeting schedule here.

Tues., Sept. 8: Board of Directors meeting
Wed., Sept. 9: Board of Directors meeting
Mon., Sept. 21: Special Board of Directors meeting
Wed., Sept. 23: Board of Directors meeting
Tues., Sept. 29: Board Appointee Evaluation Committee Meeting

Careers at Midpen

Join our talented and dynamic team as we work collaboratively toward our vision and put your passion for open space to work! See our current job openings here.

Conservation Grazing Program Manager
Procurement Intern
Geographic Information Systems Intern

Photo credits: Header: Milena Czeropski; Bats: Vishal Subramanyan; Fire: Jason Ho; Mastadon: Haley Grunloh; Bobcat: Shravan Sundaram; Carved rock: Frances Freyberg; Trail: Brittany Wheatmen/Midpen; Redwood: Sabra Abraham.