Midpen in October 2026

Image of big leaf maple leaves turning yellow with a blue sky and sun flare, and with the text “Plug into Nature: The latest news from Midpen: October 2026"

Inside this issue: River otters rediscovered in a Midpen preserve, millions granted to our Highway 17 trail crossing, a new state law gives the Santa Cruz Mountains special status, free fall outings in nature and more news from Midpen.

Nature in October: River Otters Rediscovered

Wildlife cameras recently captured a surprise: A river otter in Midpen's Cloverdale Ranch Open Space Preserve. North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) have not been established in San Mateo County since the 19th-century fur trade. This hopeful discovery signals how open space preservation and watershed restoration is improving the health of local ecosystems. Learn more here.

Grant Supports Trail Crossing

The California Coastal Conservancy awarded $4 million to our Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings Project. The grant directly funds a planned trail overcrossing above Highway 17 that will connect more than 50 miles of regional trails. Learn more here.

Visitors looking at exhibits inside the Daniels Nature Center.

Visit a Hidden Midpen Gem

October is the last full month to visit the Daniels Nature Center in Midpen’s Skyline Ridge Preserve. Fall weekends are a great time to enjoy the family-friendly and interactive nature exhibits and the surrounding pond and preserve trails before the nature center closes in mid-November. Plan your visit here.

An aerial photo of the San Mateo County coast and Santa Cruz Mountains.

New Law Recognizes Region

Midpen co-sponsored a bill just signed into state law designating the Santa Cruz Mountains as a "Resource of Statewide Significance" to encourage and enhance conservation and public access initiatives. Learn more about what this means for our region here.

A Midpen ranger leading a Latino outdoors hike in El Corte de Madero Creek Preserve.

Latino Conservation Celebrated

Midpen partnered with Latino Outdoors and Hispanic Access Foundation to mark Latino Conservation Week with a ranger-led hike in a Midpen preserve that included visiting an old-growth redwood and connecting to community and culture. Get the full story here.

A tractor being operated on Sears Ranch Road to create a fuel break.

Fire Resilience Work Continues

Midpen continues our year-round, proactive, ecologically sensitive vegetation management for fire resiliency and safety. We recently completed a six-acre fuel break in La Honda Creek Preserve that ties into a larger fuel break around the entire town. Learn more here.

A flock of black and white birds flying in the baylands with grasses behind them.

Events & Activities

Outstanding opportunities to get to know Midpen's many open space preserves abound in October. Check out the free guided activities led by volunteer docent naturalists—including night sky programs, mountain bike rides, birding on the bayside, a Halloween hike for doggies (costumes optional) and more.

Too many emails? Get all of Midpen's guided activities delivered free to your real mailbox with our quarterly print newsletter, Views. Sign up here.

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, Oct 6: Planning and Natural Resources Committee meeting
Wed, Oct 14: Board of Directors meeting
Tues, Oct 20: Action Plan & Budget Committee meeting
Tues, Oct 27: Legislative, Funding & Public Affairs Committee meeting
Wed, Oct 28: Board of Directors 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
Open Space Technician
Information Systems & Technology Intern

Other photo credits - Header: Karl Gohl; River Otter: Ken Hickman; Nature Center: Shannon Mees; Santa Cruz Mountains: William Matthias; Ranger Hike: Frances Freyberg; Fire Resilience: Midpen staff; Birds: Michelle Yao.