Stories

Midpen has approved the acquisition of a crucial 40-acre property near Mount Umunhum in support of a future vision for an Umunhum-to-the-Sea regional trail while also protecting vital wildlife habitat. The property is a private inholding within Midpen’s Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.

Herb Grench was a pioneer in the preservation of Bay Area open space. As Midpen’s first general manager he built a public agency to stand the test of time, establishing our first headquarters and developing a basic policy that continues to act as our constitution to this day.

Midpen’s trail crews are breaking ground later this year on construction of the Spooky Knoll Trail in the El Sereno Open Space Preserve near Los Gatos.

Living near open spaces offers incredible benefits, but it also comes with a responsibility to help protect the delicate balance of local ecosystems.

Midpen recently approved the purchase of three properties near Half Moon Bay that will expand the existing Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve and provide a location for a ranger and maintenance staff office. The properties consist of a commercial property and undeveloped open space lands.

It all began with the idea that wildland fire does not recognize property boundaries.

The critically imperiled Santa Cruz kangaroo rat, vital to local ecosystems, faces threats from habitat loss, but its rediscovery in 2019 sparked hope and action from Midpen, including the development of a Habitat and Population Management Plan to guide restoration efforts.

Midpen is growing its community partnerships for more outdoor public programming.

Midpen is pleased to announce the publication of our ninth Measure AA Bond Annual Accountability Report.

A trio of blue-eyed mountain lion cubs suspected of being orphaned in Portola Valley have been making a splash in the local news after being rescued and taken to the Oakland Zoo, serving as a reminder of the many challenges these important native wildlife face.