FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 7, 2023
Contacts: Ryan McCauley, 650-772-3644, rmccauley@openspace.org
Midpen awarded $2.1 million grant from Wildlife Conservation Board to advance newt passage project
Los Altos, CA—In November, the California Wildlife Conservation Board awarded a $2.1 million grant to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) for the Alma Bridge Road Newt Passage Project, aimed at protecting the health of local newt populations and promoting habitat connectivity. The grant will allow preliminary designs to be completed for newt passage improvements along approximately 5 miles of Alma Bridge Road near the Lexington Reservoir. Santa Clara County owns and maintains the road, and Midpen is working with the County and other partners to help implement the project.
“This project supports California’s commitment to conserve 30 percent of its lands and coastal waters by 2030 (30x30),” said Wildlife Conservation Board executive director, Jennifer Norris. “By connecting essential habitats, this project protects biodiversity, helps vulnerable wildlife populations respond to the effects of climate change and expands environmental stewardship across property boundaries and multiple agencies,”
Each year during the rainy season, California and rough-skinned newts migrate from their dry-season habitats in Midpen’s Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve to wet habitats beyond the preserve boundaries where they breed and lay eggs. The migration path for this population of newts includes crossing Alma Bridge Road to reach Lexington Reservoir, resulting in high newt mortality due to being struck by vehicles. The issue was first documented by concerned community members in 2017. According to a recent study which Midpen helped fund, without intervention this population of newts could be at risk of local extinction within 60 years.
“Midpen is one of several supporting partners on this project because creating habitat connectivity for wildlife accessing Midpen open space preserves aligns with our mission,” Midpen senior biologist and project manager Julie Andersen said. “We are extremely grateful to the Wildlife Conservation Board for providing funding, and to all of our project partners and stakeholders who are working together to help newts in our area continue to thrive.”
In October, the project team consisting of Midpen, Santa Clara County and stakeholders including Valley Water, Peninsula Open Space Trust, neighbors, recreational groups, community scientists and environmental advocacy groups identified two viable options featuring elevated sections of roadway coupled with wildlife passage underneath. Midpen and Santa Clara County, working together under a partnership agreement, are advancing designs and conducting environmental studies required under California law.
It is anticipated that Santa Clara County will lead future project phases including finalizing designs, acquiring permits and construction, the timing of which will be dependent on securing funding. The total cost of fully implementing the project is estimated at $28.5 to $33.5 million.
For more information visit openspace.org/newt-passage.