Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

This week is California Invasive Species Action Week. You can help. Here's how: - Start and end your day with clean shoes, clothes and gear (dogs and horses too!). Look carefully for seeds or plant parts. - Stay on designated trails.... Learn more:

Happy #Pride2021! Midpen celebrates diversity (and biodiversity) in your public open space preserves. To learn more about Midpen’s philosophy of inclusion and open space for all, watch this message from General Manager Ana Ruiz: https://qoo.ly/3cmmep Fremont Older Open Space Preserve / photo by Stephen Enloe

Join Midpen and our community partner Latino Outdoors: San Francisco Bay Area to learn how to get started on your first backpacking adventure. We will premiere a video on backpacking for beginners created by Latino Outdoors, then the team will share a live discussion of how they planned and researched to prepare for our trip, the process of packing and setting up gear, as well as lessons learned.

TODAY @ NOON! Don't miss it!

Bobcat? Coyote? Fox? Your neighbor's dog? Learn the basics of how to ID local animal tracks with wildlife researchers Tanya Diamond and Ahiga Snyder of Pathways for Wildlife TOMORROW at noon. We are co-presenting this FREE two-part "Wildlife Tracking Basics" virtual training with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority (the second part is next month on July 9). Register and get more info: https://qoo.ly/3ck22j

Last chance to register for today's FREE Introduction of Backpacking virtual event with our community partner Latino Outdoors SF Bay Area, includes panel discussion and Q&A with Latino Outdoors volunteers. #backpacking #camping

During the spring and summer, it is not uncommon to find young birds away from their nests. If you are at a Midpen open space preserve, we ask that you do not touch or attempt to rescue young, sick or injured wildlife. Report the animal observation directly to a ranger or call us at 650-691-1200. On weekends or after 5 p.m. on weekdays, call 650-968-4411. National Audubon Society has some additional advice about what to do if you find a nestling or fledgling on your own property: https://qoo.ly/3cdqme Photo by Kwon Chiu

Since Midpen opened La Honda Creek Preserve to the public in 2017, it has become a San Mateo County birding hot spot. As Midpen trail builders construct a new one-mile loop trail there, they are carefully monitoring the vicinity for sensitive plants and wildlife, nesting birds in particular, so that they can adapt their work activities to protect the many residents of the open space lands. The crews report that they've been enjoying the spring birdsong, especially from the abundant Western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta) and the ground-nesting grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum), a grassland-dependent species of special concern pictured here (photo by Midpen biologist Matthew Sharp Cheney). What birds are you enjoying hearing in Midpen preserves this spring? #wildlifewednesday

The water outlook for the nation’s most populous state each year is like a gambler putting his whole paycheck down on the roulette wheel. Hit the right atmospheric river number? Happy days are ahead. But miss the mark and hard times follow. However, actively managed open space lands put that money in the bank for times of scarcity (to continue The Mercury News' analogy). Midpen helps ‘bank’ water by restoring forests, increasing wildland fire resiliency, sustaining ponds and supporting the reconnection of streams with floodplains. These actions support soils and aquifers that soak up rainfall needed in droughts.

Thinking of backpacking this summer? When you're just starting out, planning for backcountry camping can seem complicated and overwhelming. Latino Outdoors SF Bay Area will help you feel more confident with a FREE virtual program that includes the premiere of their "Beginners Backpacking" video followed by a live panel discussion and Q&A. Tune in Wednesday at 5 p.m. to learn from Latino Outdoors volunteers as they go over the basics, share their own experiences and provide tips and resources to help you plan your first (or next) backpacking trip. Register: https://www.openspace.org//distri/introduction-backpacking

Take a self-guided interpretive tour of Ravenswood Open Space Preserve in English and Spanish using the OuterSpatial app. This tour uses information from educational displays that you can find on the new boardwalk section at the preserve. Learn about birds, the importance of wetlands and much more. Find out more at https://qoo.ly/392fvk. Photo of Ravenswood Preserve by Mike Kahn/Midpen.

This is the first documentation in our study of a burrowing owl using a badger burrow, recorded at Russian Ridge Preserve. Burrowing owls are known to use badger burrows as winter shelter. You will also see a badger up close in a burrow at Long Ridge Preserve. Sometimes confused with raccoons, these photos show how badgers differ in shape and markings. They have white vertical stripes on their face, not horizontal like raccoons, and they have a stripe down the middle of their back. Learn more: https://openspace.org/habitat-study Video slideshow produced by Tanya Diamond/Pathways for Wildlife.

Parks and open spaces are essential to the well-being of our communities. Most Bay Area parks and trails remain open. Please continue to do your part to keep your parks open and safe. Practice safe social distancing, wear a face covering, avoid crowds, plan ahead and leave no trace. Thank you for your cooperation and enjoy the trails. #RecreateResponsibly

Happy New Year to all!

Discover beautiful sunset views on this loop trail at Windy Hill Open Space Preserve. Find out more in this Weekend Sherpa article:

The Red Flag Warning has been extended to 5 p.m. today. The following preserves are closed: Windy Hill, Thornewood and Teague Hill preserves as well as the lower area of La Honda Creek Preserve and the Mindego area of Russian Ridge Preserve.

Happy Monday! We hope you have an amazing week ahead. Image of Windy Hill Preserve by Sam Post.

Learn more about poison oak in this short video with Midpen Ranger Marianne Chance. #VirtualNature #PoisonOak

"Every sunrise hold more promise, and every sunset hold more peace." Anonymous. Russian Ridge Preserve by Julian Heatherbell.

Update: The following areas will be closed Monday morning until after the Red Flag Warning is lifted: Windy Hill, Thornewood and Teague Hill preserves as well as the lower area of La Honda Creek Preserve and the Mindego area of Russian Ridge Preserve. Some great information here from US National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area/Monterey California about the today's upcoming Red Flag Warning and Wind Advisory. https://www.openspace.org/content/red-flag-warning

Midpen is partnering with Peninsula Open Space Trust (POST) and other agencies to conduct a newt population and mortality study. The study will build upon several years of community science data collected. Although Midpen does not own or operate Alma Bridge Road, we are committed to working with regional partners to implement solutions and appreciate the volunteers and newt advocacy groups who brought this issue to our attention. Image by Karl Gohl.

Visit online today - learn about the urban wildlife than lives among us and wildlife crossings around the world, play some fun games and visit our virtual exhibit in the festival exhibitors area!

Did you miss the history and wildlife virtual tour of Ravenswood Open Space Preserve? Watch the recording on our Virtual Nature page! #VirtualNature #RavenswoodPreserve

Join us tomorrow in celebrating our California wildlife and nature with Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society. The Wildlife & Harvest Day Festival is going virtual this year from October 24 to November 29. There will be many fun educational opportunities for participants of all ages from across the animal kingdom and beyond. Tune in to watch our Redwoods Resilience video and other nature videos from partner agencies. #WildlifeandHarvestDay

Enjoy this moment in nature with Midpen Volunteer Program Lead Aleksandra! A California sister (Adelpha californica) butterfly takes a brief break on a bright work glove. Video by Aleksandra Evert at El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. #VirtualNature #Butterfly

Plan ahead to have a safe and enjoyable trip out in nature. Google Maps show how busy places are, search for a park or preserve and scroll down to the popular time graph. Know before you go and check for park closures or any trail condition changes. Have one or two alternate locations ready in case your destination is full. Be safe by sharing your plan with a family member or friend before you head out. #RecreateResponsibly #PlayItSafe #HaveAPlan #EnjoyOpenSpaceSafely

We're celebrating #UrbanWildlifeWeek with our new mountain lion face masks! Share your love of these majestic creatures while you're out on the trail or just in line for groceries. They're available in adult and child sizes, so you can outfit the entire family. Get yours today!

There's something spooky happening at Deer Hollow Farm! This Saturday, join Farmer Lisa on a virtual tour of Deer Hollow Farm that will lead you through spooky barns and introduce you to the farm's livestock and other fun surprises. Perfect for families with young ones! Learn more on the City of Mountain View - City Hall webpage.