Inside this issue: Signs of the rainy season await you at Midpen preserves including newts, mushrooms, muddy trails and more! Work on the coastal mission and wildland fire resiliency plan continue, and celebrate the new year by exploring open space on a guided activity.
Nature in January: Newt Crossing Alert
Help protect our native newts! Wet weather brings these tiny creatures out onto trails and roadways, and they need our help to safely reach their breeding grounds. Drivers on Alma Bridge Road, a common newt crossing area during the rainy season, should drive particularly carefully and keep an eye out for these little critters. Midpen and our partners are continuing work to create a safe wildlife crossing for these charismatic crawlers - learn more!
Midpen's Coastal Mission Continues
Midpen continues to make good on our unique coastal mission, including preserving open space and agricultural lands in perpetuity. The Midpen board recently approved rangeland management plans for several recently protected coastal properties that are actively grazed by cattle. Learn what these plans are, and why they matter.
New Year, New Explorations
What fresh treasures await in open space in 2025? See for yourself on any of this month’s 26 docent-led activities. Offerings include exercise-focused excursions; hikes to learn about winter flora and fauna; and opportunities designed to sharpen your senses of serendipity, curiosity, and attention to the details. See the full list here.
Improving Fire Resiliency and Protecting Rare Plants
Midpen staff recently completed a vegetation removal project that expanded an emergency helicopter landing zone and improved forest health and wildland fire resiliency while protecting nearby rare Kings Mountain manzanita that only grows in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Read more about the project.
Fascinating Fungi
As the rains refill seasonal ponds and wetlands, the wet weather brings about another ecological phenomenon, the proliferation of fungi. While you observe some of these seasonal mushroom species, remember that some mushrooms can be deadly poisonous, and mushroom collecting is not allowed anywhere within Midpen preserves. More about mushrooms you may spot.
Rainy Season Reminders
The start of rainy season means muddy and messy trails and busy staff trying to keep them clear for your use. Be ready for slippery trails, downed trees and slides and give trails time to dry out after storms, especially if you are bringing bikes or horses on trail. Make sure to dress for the weather and check trail conditions!
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Midpen offers a number of free guided activities led by volunteer docent naturalists each month so you can explore a new preserve, learn about the natural environment or join others for ecologically sensitive outdoor exploration. Or get more hands-on by joining us for a volunteer workday.
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.
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: ; Midpen's Coastal Mission Continues: Leigh Ann Gessner; New Year, New Explorations: Roberta Cavazos; Rainy Season Reminders: Charles Tu; So Many Mushrooms: Hima Tammineni; Events & Activities: Nick Yatsko
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