OSA is working to protect sensitive lands, preserve natural communities, and manage open space in ways that promote

agriculture and compatible recreation.

OSA OUTLOOK

Summer 2009 Vol. 3 No. 2

INSIDE
1 Sheep at Coyote Ridge are part of a grassland management project 2 Agriculture meeting starts a community dialog 2 First western bluebird nestlings at Rancho 2 Thank you to our Coyote Spring volunteers

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority 6980 Santa Teresa Blvd., Ste 100 San Jose, CA 95119

natural environment? And

program this summer and

discussion, art, games how does the landscape Four sessions and hikes, discover or renew your How do you define the Join our Sense of Place you live in define you?

a new look at this place

More information, p. 3 connection to nature.

photo by Lark Burkhart

you call home.

3 Summer schedule of events

A springtime Hike and Hoof event at Blair Ranch, the newest addition to Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve, gave visitors a look at the grass-covered hillsides, serpentine wildflowers and views that go on forever. This portion of Rancho is not yet open to general public use.

Agriculture
The subject was agriculture and the viewpoints were diverse. But public opinion at the Open Space Authoritys community meeting in March found plenty of common ground. Farmers, ranchers, residents, community activists, marketers, vintners, health care workers and representatives of government and nonprofit agencies all pointed out the benefits of local agriculture. They also agreed that the preservation of agriculture in Michael Coffelt liked the strawberries an area on the urban edge that is likely to experience significant growth in the coming decades will be a daunting and expensive challenge. Comments at the meeting and from those who responded in writing addressed two basic questions:
photo by Rachel Santos

today & tomorrow

What does agriculture mean to you, and what is your vision of local agriculture in the future? The many different answers highlighted the complexity of agriculture as it is practiced day to day in Santa Clara County. Its a multi-faceted system of soil, water, crops, people, knowledge, transportation and markets. In summarizing the days discussion Patrick Congdon, OSA general manager, emphasized the importance of public/private partnerships to the preservation of local agriculture. The Open Space Authority will continue to invite public participation as the Board of Directors develops a vision statement for agricultural land preservation.

Volunteers played a key part in the success of OSAs April hikes on Coyote Ridge. All of us at the Open Space Authority extend our warmest thank you to these generous people who made the event possible: Hike Leaders Jay Aruta Dave Champan Carolyn Dorsch Doug Greer Rick Herder Cait Hutnik Michael Yantos Sweeps and Hike Assistants Bob Cicisly Tom Cochrane Woody Collins Yunyao Li Ron Marquart Michelle Valdez

Coyote Spr ng

The little ball of fluff in this photograph is five newly hatched western bluebirds, a first for the nest boxes at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve. The placement and monitoring of the boxes is part of an Audubon Cavity Nesters Recovery Program. The eggs hatched the first week in May.
photo by Lee Pauser

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority

6980 Santa Teresa Blvd., Ste 100 San Jose, CA 95119 tel 408.224.7476 fax 408.224.7548
photo by Teri Rogoway

www.openspaceauthority.org

The Summer Scene

Discover Dexter Canyon SPECIAL-ACCESS ACTIVITY Nature walk at Palassou Ridge. An easy up-and-back ramble along a riparian corridor on a property that is not yet open for general public use. A docent-led program that will highlight the birds and plant life you encounter. Binoculars will be provided. Saturday, June 6, 9 a.m. - noon Catamount Challenge Strenuous 7-mile hike sets a quick pace with an elevation gain of about 1,300 feet. Great exercise and great views at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Sunday, June 7, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 13, 7:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Panorama Power Hike Hike from the Alum Rock Park eagle rock parking lot to the summit of the Sierra Vista Boccardo Loop Trail. Steep, strenuous and very rewarding; 5.6 miles roundtrip. Friday, June 12, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 17, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Friday, August 21, 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Blooms in June The Mayfair Ranch Trail is known for its wildflower display. Enjoy a 4.5-mile hike with a docent and see whats blooming at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Sunday, June 14, 10 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Birds and Babies A leisurely bird watching stroller hike at Ulistac Natural Area in Santa Clara suitable for parents with young children. Exercise, fresh air, companionship. Friday, June 19, 10 a.m. - noon Friday, July 31, 10 a.m. - noon Sense of Place in Open Space Reconnect with your natural landscape in this series of 4 nature-oriented meetings. Share your sense of your surroundings through discussion, interpretive activities and hikes. Registration is required. Join all sessions or just a few. Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. - noon Sunday, June 28, 10 a.m. - noon Sunday, July 26, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Sunday, August 23, 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Picture the Preserve Bring your camera and learn to see nature in a new way. A casual pace on the Mayfair Ranch Trail as you hunt for good photo opportunities at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve on this docent-led hike. Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. Take Your Child to Camp Week Summer day camp for kids and their grown-ups at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve. Nature education, arts and crafts and hiking for children ages 6 to 12 when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Reservations required. Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10 9:00 a.m. - noon

Details, reservation information and directions are available at www.openspaceauthority.org or by calling 408-224-7476.

photo by Angela Menke

photo by Cait Hutnik

At Coyote Ridge, all you can eat . . .

photos by Lark Burkhart

if youre a sheep
of data that will guide future range management decisions. According to Patrick Congdon, OSA general manager, the grazing effort was a clear success. The animals were easily managed, allowing good control of their browsing and its impact on both invasive and native plants. Who are these hardy workers who eat for a living? The sheep there were about 350 are dorpers, a breed known to be strong and not very picky grazers. The breed was developed in South Africa in the 1930s from a dorset hornblackhead Persian cross. The goal was an animal that could thrive in arid and semi-arid conditions, making it a good choice for managed grazing in the western United States. The use of sheep for controlling invasive species has gained momentum in recent years. One advantage is that sheep will eat weeds other animals avoid. In some studies pasturing sheep has been found to be significantly more cost effective than herbicides or cutting and mowing.

As the sheep moved through the foliage on the hillside, the dry stems of last years weeds clickclick-clicked on the breeze. Dogs prowled around the herd, keeping a keen eye on everything that moved. Except for the hum of traffic on Highway 101, the scene was quiet and pastoral. In reality, it was an open-air laboratory. The animals were part of a carefully monitored project to alter the plant cover on two portions of a 548-acre parcel OSA manages for the Valley Transportation Authority. For several weeks in April and May they ate their way to some clearly defined management objectives. The pastures, about 45 total acres, are mostly California annual grassland, with foxtail chess and ripgut brome, mustard, wild oats and ryegrass. Quite a salad for a browsing ovine, but a challenge for native grass and forb species looking for a little growing room. Neither area had been grazed or cleared by fire in many years. The goal of the grazing effort was to reduce the cover of non-native invasive plants by 45%, increase the cover of native perennial grasses by 35% and decrease the percentage cover of thatch by 50%. Monitoring plots will enable the gathering