2021 Annual Report
Together, We Made History
2021 was the most historic year yet in the fight for Coyote Valley. San Jose’s General Plan now prevents urban and industrial development on 3,300 acres of this irreplaceable landscape. It is exceptional for a major city to downzone an area of this size and reject decades-long plans for sprawl in favor of protecting the land for open space and agriculture. Adding to this landmark decision, the County adopted a new climate resilience district to better support and enhance farming. These two votes combined created protections for the entire 7,400-acre valley floor.
Together with our allies, the Green Foothills community made this happen, establishing a framework for how large cities can advance climate resilience, biodiversity, and agriculture.
The victory for Coyote Valley is just one part of our work in 2021. This annual report highlights what we accomplished together last year, details our organizational financial health, and includes testimonials shared by Green Foothills supporters. Nature is always being saved and there is more work to do, but we are so excited for 2022 — our 60th year of championing nature in our region.
Our Work in 2021
Our advocates engaged on 34 land use issues in 2021. From the coast to the Baylands, from the valley to the hillsides, we gave a voice to the most at-risk habitats. This map describes some of those issues and illustrates the extent of our advocacy efforts.
Zoom in on the map and click on each point to learn more about the individual project.
Our Impact in 2021
Advocacy Program
24,694
acres of open space protected or positively impacted
9
victories
achieved out of 11 concluded land use issues
10 key wildlife and plant species benefited
4 policies or plans adopted by governmental agencies
34
land use issues
in total monitored and advocated
25 were in collaboration with a total of 69 tribes, organizations, and community leaders
25,021 comment letters sent in response to our 28 calls to action with 22 favorable outcomes
117 additional letters were in response to our call to thank legislators for their vote
“The historic votes to protect Coyote Valley by the San Jose City Council and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors would not have happened without Green Foothills’ decades of advocacy. ”
Andrea Mackenzie
Donor since 2012, General Manager of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
2021 Green Foothills Nature’s Inspiration Host Committee member
Resident of San Jose
Our Impact in 2021
Leadership Program
19
local changemakers graduated
for a total of 219 alumni since 2014*
18
alumni in a new leadership role
for a total of 102 since 2014*
1
initiative won by alumni
for a total of 22 initiatives since 2014*
5 initiatives launched or joined by alumni for a total of 32 since 2014*
*year the first cohort graduated
“Even after 20+ years of community-based organizing, Green Foothills’ leadership program increased my advocacy skills and knowledge, making me a stronger champion for my neighborhood, the environment, and climate resilience. ”
Ever Rodriguez
Donor since 2021, Co-founder of the North Fair Oaks Community Alliance and Climate Ready North Fair Oaks
Green Foothills Leadership Program Graduate (2021)
Resident of North Fair Oaks
Deepen Your Support
Green Foothills appreciates every individual, agency, and foundation who makes our work possible and we are proud to recognize every contributor in Our Donor Community. Thanks to their generous support, we are able to champion land use decisions that affirm and support open space, biodiversity, climate resilience, and natural resources in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.
Leave a Legacy
A generous gift from your estate is the ultimate way you can support our mission. To learn more, visit greenfoothills.org/legacy.
Anonymous x4
Leslie Airola Murveit & Hy Murveit
Evangelyn & John Boice*
Julia Bott
Allan & Marilyn Brown
Joan Bruce*
Catherine Davey & Tom Podoll
Devon Davey
John & Mary Jane Davey
Mary & John Davey*
Paul Davis & Jade Thuma
Beth DeAtley
Dick DeAtley*
Paul & Maureen Draper
Allison Dykens
Megan Fluke
Norma Jean Bodey Galiher
Linda Gass & Rob Steiner
Kathryn Gordon
John Graham*
Herbert & Norma Grench
Jerry Hearn & Rebecca Reynolds
Susan Marie Hughes & Robert Hughes
Heather Kantor
William & Katherine Korbholz
Edmundo & Mary Larenas
Peter & Sue LaTourrette
Linda & Sidney Liebes Jr.
Margaret & Jamis MacNiven
Betty J. Meissner
Ernst Meissner*
Margery Morse
Lisa & Edward Munro
Rajan D. Narang
Delores & Walter Nelson
Brad & Judy O’Brien
Dave Olson
George Packard
Jane Packard
Martin Packard*
Daniel & Helen Quinn
Eleanor Rakonitz
William Reller
Nancy Reyering & Marty Walker
Lennie & Mike Roberts
Charles Schmuck
Jeffrey Segall & Helen He
Joan Sherlock
Ivan Stanojevic
Phyllis Stevenson
Sara Timby
Kristen Tsukushi
Randall & Marcia White
Will & Michelle Wyman
Support Our Advocacy Fund
The Lennie Roberts Advocacy Fund was launched in honor of Lennie’s 50+ year legacy of local open space preservation as a Green Foothills Legislative Advocate. Ensure nature always has a champion with a one-time gift, a multi-year pledge, a stock gift, or a restricted bequest. To learn more, visit greenfoothills.org/LRAF.
Anonymous x2
Steve Blank & Alison Elliott
Stephen Boles
Penelope Bowen
Michael Brownrigg
Carol Chapman Kelly & Michael Kelly
Joseph Cotchett
Maryann Moise Derwin Megan Fluke
Lynn & Jim Gibbons
William Giusti
John Graham
Judith & James Kleinberg
Peter & Sue LaTourrette
Jody & Roger Lawler
Margaret & Jamis MacNiven
Alan & Nancy McGee
William Murray
Nanci E. Nishimura
Nancy Reyering & Marty Walker
Lennie & Mike Roberts
Kathleen Sanborn & Barbara Ann Wright
Jeffrey Segall & Helen He
Barbara & Seth Spalding
Carolyn Straub & Stephen McHenry
Robin Toews
James Wickett & Magdalena Yesil
Margaret & Larry Williams
Oceano Hotel & Spa
Passport Foundation
“Green Foothills is one of the primary organizations I support. Their effective environmental advocacy for land use and restoration forestry is vital in the face of the changing climate and biodiversity crisis.”
Jim Wickett
Donor since 2011, Rancher and timberland owner
Green Foothills Advisory Board Member and Advocacy Fund Committee Member
Resident of Woodside
Financial Health
We are incredibly thankful for all who volunteered their time and contributed to Green Foothills in 2021. Our volunteers put in 2,248 hours of their time valued at $67,328. To view a list of our 868 wonderful donors from 2021, please visit our webpage dedicated to celebrating them.
Financials | April 1, 2020 – March 30, 2021
Income: $1,211,472
Our income was up 14% last year with a healthy increase in grants and investment returns. An increase in individual contributions and a one-time bequest were also factors.
Expenses: $1,091,586
Higher fundraising costs ($34,000) were mostly in support of staffing and a new legacy giving tool. Programmatic and Administrative costs stayed about the same as the prior year.
Net Assets: $1,174,435
Unrestricted, Undesignated: $824,978
Unrestricted, Board Designated: $349,457
“Life is full but I make the time to volunteer for and support Green Foothills because of the organization’s clear impact. I encourage more people to roll up their sleeves and do the same.”
Cherise Orange
Donor since 2019, Owner of You Just Got Oranged
Green Foothills Leadership Program Graduate (2019), Leadership Program Advisory Committee Member, Marketing Committee Chair, and Advisory Board Member
Resident of San Jose