A Message From the General Manager
Celebrating Midpen’s first 50 years and looking ahead
(Winter 2021-2022)
In January, we will kick off a year-long celebration recognizing the conservation accomplishments that we, as a community, have realized through the creation of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Fifty years ago, a small group of concerned citizens came together to share an environmentally healthy and sustainable vision for the future of our region – a vision that recognized the essential benefits natural and working lands can provide for people, as well as plants and animals. We may not have been talking about climate change and wildfire resiliency in quite the same way in 1972, but people clearly understood the need to protect clean air and clean water by preserving nature.
Throughout the coming year, we will revisit our history to bring you the stories of key people and partnerships, past and present, who were and continue to be instrumental in carrying out our mission. People like Nonette Hanko, who the Bay Nature Institute honors this spring as one of its 2022 Local Heroes, bestowing its Conservation Action Award for her significant contributions in founding Midpen (and helping to found the Peninsula Open Space Trust and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, too) and having served as an elected board member for 46 years.
Rediscover the lands that now form a 65,000-acre greenbelt of connected wildlife corridors and habitat, ridgelines and redwood forest, watersheds and scenic vistas. We will meet you on the trails with special anniversary-edition guided activities and surprise welcome pop-ups.
We are excited to gather together, celebrating and connecting at community events planned for the bayside, the Coastside and in between. We will even be online with contests and commentary to deepen your connection with nature from home.
Please join us as we look back and into the future to celebrate the people, the lands and the collective spirit of our community that allows us to preserve, protect, restore, educate and enjoy forever.
Ana María Ruiz
General Manager