Stories

Sprawling branches, spiny leaves and plentiful acorns fill the oak woodlands that lay across the Santa Cruz Mountains and support one of the richest and most biologically diverse habitats in the state. However, spread of sudden oak death (SOD) is threatening the health of these ecosystems.

Midpen rangers and other staff recently participated in an annual training with local fire agencies to remain certified as wildland firefighters.

Midpen is growing its community partnerships to bring more outdoor experiences to the public.

The Thimbleberry Trail is Midpen’s newest addition to the award-winning trail network at Bear Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve. This trail beautifully showcases the swift transition from a shaded, cool riparian habitat to an open, sun-drenched prairie.

Good fencing is critical infrastructure for Midpen’s Conservation Grazing Program, a land management tool for supporting biodiversity and wildland fire safety in coastal grasslands.  

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.