LANDSCAPES Peninsula Open Space Trust Fall 2022 i
cover © Drew Bird / opposite left © Rachael Faye / opposite middle © Dan Quinn / opposite right © Paolo Vescia
N ATURE CONNECTS US ALL
In this issue of Landscapes, we are thrilled to highlight how closely we work with partner organizations, as well as the evolving nature of our relationship to members of our community who share our belief that we are all a part of an interconnected web of life, and that diversity of all types — biodiversity, as well as human cultural diversity — creates strength and resilience. Our collective wellbeing depends on the health of our local ecosystems. So, it’s important to engage as many people as we can in our vision of creating a network of protected lands where people and nature connect and thrive.
Our mission from day one has been to protect these vital and incredibly biodiverse landscapes for the benefit of all. Notably, the Bay Area is also one of the most racially and ethnically diverse places in the US, with
Having met dozens of POST supporters over the last year, I am inspired by how deeply personal what we do is for so many. We each have our own unique memories of when and where we learned to appreciate nature, yet we are united in our shared respect for the incredible lands that we call home.
70% of the Bay Area’s youth (under 18) identifying as Black, Indigenous or People of Color.* Like many in the conservation movement, POST wants to more actively engage the many diverse communities of our working region. In particular, donors have asked me how we are solving for the lack of generational diversity in our community of supporters — a question I love because it demonstrates a sustained, visionary commitment to our mission. My colleagues and I are pleased to share that going forward we will be deepening our investment in community engagement so that we can understand how to truly connect with more people and work together toward a better future.
I am honored to be a part of this effort on behalf of POST and look forward to learning and growing with all of us who care so deeply for the land.
Warm regards,
Olivia White Lopez Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
*Source: TheSanFranciscoFoundation’sEquityProfileoftheNine-CountySanFranciscoBayAreaRegion,PolicyLinkandPERE,2017
10 Events for Everyone — Made Possible Through Partnership 6 The Bay to Sea Trail: Communities ConnectedbyNature 2 Healing in Nature: A Meaningful Partnership at Audrey Edna Cabin IN THIS ISSUE
2 left and middle © Noelle Chambers / right © Matt Dolkas HEALING IN NATURE: A MEANINGFUL PARTNERSHIP at AUDREY EDNA CABIN
A cabin in major need of repair also came with the grounds, and we saw its potential as a relaxing spot for tired hikers and a unique overnight destination. After extensive renovations, we were excited to share the upgraded Audrey Edna Cabin (named in memory of a major donor’s loved one) with the public. But various complications slowed our course, and we had to rethink the cabin’s immediate future.
We’ve designed the cabin so that people of all ages and abilities can gather there comfortably. In addition to opportunities for open-air adventures, visitors can rest, recharge and reflect. The cabin’s interior includes plenty of seating, educational guides, board games and children’s activities; its communal space invites people to gather for food, conversations and play, or venture outside to take in the scenery.
POST and our partners agree: All people need connections to nature, not only for recreation, but for their physical and mental health. Research demonstrates that access to safe, outdoor areas has vast benefits including reduced stress and depression, lower blood pressure, improved immune function and more.
You needn’t go far to do so. From a perch on the veranda, you can soak in the ever-present birdsong. Creatures abound if only you watch for them. There are western fence lizards, zig-zagging coveys of quail and speedy cotton-tail rabbits. About 40 paces from the deck, a viewing area overlooks a sweeping forested vista.
When POST purchased the 353-acre Alpine Ranch in 2012, we knew it was a special place. Bordered by Sam McDonald and Pescadero Creek Parks, the location boasts astounding views of the Pescadero Creek watershed. Its pond, tributaries and plentiful redwood trees provide habitats for myriad species — some threatened and endangered.
Though a public rental system is not yet available, many people have already found refuge at the cabin as a result of our work with trusted local organizations. We’ve hosted families, youth groups, healthcare providers, nonprofit professionals, convalescing patients and more. One day, we hope to open the doors to the public so that everyone can share this one-of-a-kind place — when that’s available, we’ll let you know!
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WHAT’S NEXT?
Going forward, we’re excited to strengthen our partnership with Park Rx, as well as with other organizations whose members can benefit from a stay at the cabin. We understand that fostering equitable access is an ongoing and iterative process, and we’ll continue to refine the cabin’s amenities with the goal of creating welcoming experiences in nature that our guests will cherish for years to come.
4 BeforeAfter
Patients have been open with them about the barriers to outdoor access they’ve experienced like cost and ownership of gear, accommodations for individuals with disabilities and an assumed comfort level with being in remote, natural settings.
(PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM)
At a conference several years ago, POST Stewardship Project Manager Taylor Jang and Dr. Rachel Borovina of San Mateo County Health — co-founder of their Park Rx program — had a fruitful discussion about the connection between outdoor equity and mental and physical health. This led to a promising new idea. What if POST and Park Rx joined forces to offer an immersive, overnight experience at the cabin for local patients and their families?
Through this partnership, we’ve gained valuable insight into how we can create a better experience for everyone who eventually comes to visit.
With these obstacles in mind, we worked together to create a more inclusive experience. Visitors have approached the cabin via varied routes. Some toted their gear over two steep-but-shaded miles of rolling hills. Others drove straight to the door. A wheelchair ramp now awaits guests who need it. Visitors can review the cabin guide in English or Spanish. And, following requests for cheerier decor, we added bright artwork by local children.
SAN MATEO COUNTY PARK RX
Led by a pediatrician from the San Mateo Medical Center and a community program specialist from Public Health Policy and Planning, Park Rx has a unique connection to the population they serve.
“It was so lovely to be able to observe the wilderness at different times of day,” wrote one visitor, “and hear all the animals and bird sounds as well as the deep silence.”
“We spent a long time in the early evening enjoying the glorious views from the benches,” penned another. “When it became dark, we could spot the Milky Way and several planets.”
photos © POST Staff 5
In a notebook on the kitchen counter, guests have logged reflections from their stay. Here are a just a few:
Another guest asked: “Who would have thought there could be such peace, beauty and solitude only 40 minutes from home in Silicon Valley?”
When the Bay to Sea Trail is complete — about 15 years from now — it will have been half a century in the making. In the 1970s, the founders of POST and the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District first identified this expansive trail as a distant, aspirational goal. This led to decades of slow-but-steady work to identify and protect key parcels of land from the Bay to Skyline Ridge and running west to the coast.
THE BAY TO SEA TRAIL: CONNECTEDCOMMUNITIESby NATURE
top © Rachael Faye / map © GreenInfo Network6
Johnston Ranch SanWatershedFranciscoLands Bair EcologicalIslandReserve EdwardsDonNationalWildlifeRefuge ArastraderoPearson-Preserve Filoli HuddartCountyPark RavenswoodOpenSpacePreserve Teague Hill OpenPreserveSpace Miramontes Ridge Open Space Preserve El Corte de Madera Creek Open SpacePhlegerPreserveEstate La SpaceCreekHondaOpenPreserve Windy Hill Open Space Preserve Burleigh H. Murray Ranch State Park CountyWunderlichPark CreekPurisimaRedwoodsOpenSpacePreserve JasperReserveRidge Tunitas Creek OpenPreserveSpace PulgasEdgewoodCountyParkRidgeOpenSpacePreserve CowellRanchBeach BeachMoonHalfBayState OpenWavecrestSpaceReserve U 35 U 84 U V U 92 U 84 U V 82 U 101 U 101 U 280 U V 280 Belmont PaloEastAltoMoonHalfBay Atherton Palo Alto PortolaValley RedwoodCityWoodsideCarlosSan MenloPark Stanford FairNorthOaks Bay to Sea Trail Bay to Sea Trail SANTA CLARA CO SANMATEO CO. Ar r o y o Leo n Corte MaderaCreek Lobitos Creek Pilarcitos Creek Purisima Creek San FranciscoBay PacificOcean ReservoirCrystalSprings RedwoodCreek CordillerasCreek San Franc squitoCreek TunitasCreek 0 0.75 1.5 Miles N Map produced by GreenInfo Network May 2019 TRAIL ROUTES BayConceptualtoSeaTrail RegionalGeneralizedTrails PROTECTED LANDS Open Access Parks and Open Space Restricted or No Access Bay to Sea Trail (Trail routes are conceptual, incomplete and contain gaps) SF SAN MATEO ALAMEDA SANTA CLARA SANTA CRUZ CONTRA COSTA 7
Among the many wonders of the Bay to Sea Trail is the interconnectedness it will nurture. In addition to improving local ecology and habitat connectivity through active land protection, this project has the potential to bring health and wellness opportunities to communities across the region. Partnerships — with agencies, organizations, local residents, researchers and others — are at the heart of this complex work. As we build and strengthen alliances and pool our collective expertise, we hope to create a trail experience that’s a win-win for all involved.
To shepherd our next phase of work, we recently engaged PlaceWorks, a planning and
design firm with deep Bay Area ties. They will help us assess opportunities and constraints for routing the trail and develop an extensive public engagement process to deepen our understanding of what neighboring communities will want to see as the project comes to life.
The trail, by design, will invite a range of activities. Endurance runners might challenge themselves to complete the route in one go. Local families might gather at a picnic area
We are eager to build opportunities for both seasoned outdoorspeople and first-time visitors.
Some of the questions we’re exploring are logistical. Where will people access the trail? What infrastructure — such as parking lots, bus routes or bathrooms — will invite visitors of all ages, incomes, interests and abilities? Others are more relational. We know that residents in the trail’s vicinity are best positioned to define their community’s unique needs. How do we solicit their crucial input? How do we begin to identify and collaborate with local champions and community-based organizations whose knowledge and insights can inform this project?
In 2019, we put our commitment to building this trail in writing. Alongside 10 other agencies and organizations, we signed a letter of intent to bring this long-held dream to fruition. Our coalition resolved to plan, develop and manage a continuous 40-mile trail that would span the Peninsula. POST plays a leading role, ensuring we all remain aligned and on-track. (Ultimately, different organizations will manage various segments of the trail’s land and will lead elements of the process over time.)
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Our next challenge is to create a community engagement framework
or frequent a small section of trail near home. Hikers, walkers, birdwatchers, bikers and equestrians will be among those who explore bayside, mountain and seaside segments.
We are eager to build opportunities for both seasoned outdoorspeople and first-time visitors — particularly those with less access to open spaces further afield — to find their place among the route’s many trails and open spaces. Once equipped with community input,
for the next two years. The PlaceWorks team is well suited to guide us, as they have ample experience working alongside residents whose voices have not historically been included in trail planning conversations. We are energized at the chance to weave more connected networks — of trails and of people — that will strengthen our region and bring the benefits of nature to all.
left © Andrea Laue / middle © Teddy Miller / right © Matt Dolkas 9
we’ll be ready to design the amenities that will best meet local needs. One promising idea is to create a series of pocket parks along the trail — compact spaces that give city dwellers a reprieve amid nature. There, neighboring residents in Redwood City and East Palo Alto could enjoy playgrounds, community gardens, groves of trees and outdoor eating areas.
COLLABORATING AND PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS
EVENTS for EVERYONE — MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
When it comes to connecting with people who love nature, we want to reach diverse individuals, build a sense of community and increase understanding of the value of protected landscapes. This makes planning events a fun and interesting challenge, as we collaborate with a variety of partner organizations to engage with more people in our region. This has led to successful gatherings, including annual events like Family Nature Day and Raptor Fest, volunteer opportunities and lectures by inspiring speakers with valuable expertise in science, social justice and more.
Our partners and us share a grand vision: to deliver inclusive and meaningful experiences tied to nature and the outdoors. As each organization has unique perspectives and strengths, we often coordinate and combine our resources, and the synergy that results has been well received.
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We believe everyone benefits when people gather and learn together. So we’ve also teamed up with Saved by Nature to make events accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and our volunteer work days are more interactive thanks to our alliance with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory. These successful partnerships inspire us to keep expanding our work in order to create even more ways to connect with nature — and each other.
A key goal of our programming is providing opportunities to meet new people. To do this, we ask ourselves: Can we break down barriers so that parks and preserves are accessible to all? Can we create experiences where people learn from one another, come together across differences and celebrate shared values? Can we engage new groups of people who don’t know us well?
For over five years, we’ve partnered with the Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks and San Mateo County Parks for Family Nature Day at Huddart Park. It’s an unforgettable family-friendly experience that includes nature walks, hands-on learning and arts and crafts. And each year, with Santa Clara County Parks, we organize Raptor Fest at Rancho San Vicente, a POST-protected section of Calero County Park. Attendees learn about birds of prey from a master falconer who brings stunning species to put on a show!
We’ve found that providing a variety of formats and locations is essential to meet people where they are. We’ve held activities in city centers, making it less of a trek for some locals, and online events have enabled us to welcome people from across the region during the pandemic.
photos © Paolo Vescia 11
EVENTS FOR EVERYBODY
We wheneveryonebelievebenefitspeoplegatherandlearntogether.
In 2021, we partnered with the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Puente and Latino Outdoors to welcome American civil rights leader and United Farmworkers cofounder Dolores Huerta for a conversation with renowned American playwright Luis Valdez. They reflected on the struggle for social and environmental justice and the important relationships between history, land and people in California. Earlier this year, we joined the Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation to host Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer who spoke about how native traditions and science can intertwine for a more sustainable future. These speakers attracted incredibly large audiences, elevating critical issues and
SHARING & CARING
Generations of people from all walks of life have contributed to the care of our natural landscapes. Some have volunteered time or donated money; others have been civic advocates. We all share the opportunity and responsibility to care for our environment. And it starts with POST and our partners working together to create an inclusive outdoor community.
increasing awareness of our partners’ work as well as our own.
This spirit informs our POST ambassador program, which brings together trained volunteers who plan and staff events such as hikes, film screenings, festivals and presentations. It is not possible to offer everything that we do without the commitment and enthusiasm of our dedicated ambassadors, so next time you see them on a trail or at an event, please be sure to thank them!
FOSTERING INCLUSION
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Many POST events are designed for a broad audience. Others are tailored for specific groups like families with small children or individuals with a shared cultural background. We try to host people who represent a diversity of race, class, age and gender at our events to help increase our collective fluency about complex issues we must address — within POST, across partner organizations and among attendees themselves — bringing us all together around our shared love for the natural world.
Going forward, we’re looking for opportunities to deepen relationships with many cultural groups in our region — for example, through hiking affinity groups for people who share similar backgrounds. Strengthening this area of programming will help to center those who have historically felt disconnected from nature.
top © Paolo Vescia / middle © Dzung Nguyen / bottom © Michael Wimble / right © Michelle Mazzuchi
WE HAVE LOTS of EXCITING EVENTS IN STORE FOR YOU. JOIN COMINGUS!UP Saturday, October 15 Family Nature Day at Huddart Park In partnership with Friends of Huddart and Wunderlich Parks and San Mateo County Parks Saturday, October 22 Bair Island Workday In partnership with San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory Saturday, November 19 Raptor Fest at Rancho San Vicente In partnership with Santa Clara County Parks Visit OpenSpaceTrust.org/Events to register and for even more opportunities to connect. 13
POST Tax ID Number: 94-2392007 NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID SAN JOSE, CA PERMIT NO. 1513 PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST 222 HIGH STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94301 (650) OPENSPACETRUST.ORG854-7696 photo © Vickie Rozell CONSERVE OUR FUTURE. DONATE TODAY. Our local lands are precious, but climate change and urbanization have resulted in habitat loss, increased wildfire risk and species on the verge of extinction. With your help, we are working toward a resilient future. YOUR SUPPORT HELPS POST: • Protect land critical for wildlife • Promote well-being through access to natural spaces • Build wildfire resilience • Protect local farms and grazing lands • Ensure clean air and water • And much, much more Visit OpenSpaceTrust.org/Give or call (650) 854-7696 to learn more about making a gift in a way that works for you. NEW: Now accepting donations using PayPal!
