Current Projects and Programs

Climate change is a direct threat to Midpen’s mission. Now and into the future, climate change has far-reaching consequences for the Bay Area’s natural environment and all of us who depend on it. For Midpen this is an opportunity to lead by example and be part of the solution. 

The Rancho San Antonio Multimodal Access Project was developed to to encourage visitors to opt for greener forms of transportation and reduce parking demand and traffic, while maintaining equitable access for both local and regional visitors.

Midpen staff are moving into a new office in May 2022 to bring Midpen’s administrative staff under one roof and to save money and increase efficiency.

Located in Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, the Alma Cultural Landscape is a historic site that exhibits remnants of many layers of past human use, including the 19th-century logging boom, the vast rural estates of early 20th-century industry leaders and the first Jesuit college of theology on the west coast. Following the Secretary of Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, Guidelines for the Treatment of Cultural Landscapes, the rehabilitation project seeks to preserve the historic site’s significance in a manner that can be safely enjoyed and understood by the public.

In 2017, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District completed the Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve Plan, a long-term use and management plan for the preserve. Stewardship actions, including habitat restoration, erosion reduction to protect the watershed and cultural resources protection were given the highest priority. To be implemented in three phases, the preserve plan also included new parking areas, new and reconstructed hiking and equestrian trails and a new 5-mile multiuse trail. Midpen completed the first phase of public access improvements in 2019 and the western area of the preserve is now open to hikers and equestrians.

Located within Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve, Bear Creek Stables is a boarding facility with room for over 70 horses that has been in operation since the 1930s. Following Midpen’s acquisition of the site in 1999, the stables have continued under lease with a tenant. In 2019, Midpen opted to pursue a capital maintenance and repair project. However, due to increased costs, the project was put on hold in 2024.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a method for efficiently managing plant and animal pests while protecting human health and the environment. Midpeninsula Regional Open Space Preserve adopted an IPM Guidance Manual to direct its management of harmful invasive plants and animals on preserves; as well as rodents and insects in Midpen-owned buildings. Midpen biologists develop specific multi-year IPM plans based on the biology of the pest, ecological conditions at the treatment site and any potential secondary impacts, such as soil erosion. Non-chemical techniques to control pests, like prevention, pulling, cutting, digging, mowing and/or setting traps are considered before chemical methods.

In August 2021, Midpen and the County of Santa Clara both approved a Memorandum of Agreement to share enforcement of the 1972 Ridgeline Protection Easement, which preserves the scenic ridge between Rancho San Antonio County Park and Open Space Preserve and Lehigh Quarry.

Midpen is researching American badgers and burrowing owls to gain additional expertise in the management of grasslands to help these species survive and thrive. 

The Science Advisory Panel provides independent, science-based review of Midpen land management practices.