Plants and animals often act as indicator species, telling us through their presence or absence what the condition of their ecosystem is. In this sense, the story of the endangered Ridgway’s Rail is the story of the San Francisco Bay tidal marshlands – formerly abundant, now greatly reduced. The continued survival of this shorebird species...
Author: Alice Kaufman
Tell San Jose: Don’t Impair Wildlife Movement in Coyote Valley
On Tuesday, March 8, San Jose Planning staff will give a presentation to the City Council about potentially allowing new commercial activities like restaurants and beer gardens along Monterey Road in Coyote Valley. Please ask the City to ensure that any new uses do not increase harm to wildlife habitat and connectivity in Coyote Valley....
Redwood City Ferry Terminal Must Avoid Harm to Marshland Wildlife
A proposal for commuter ferry service and a new ferry terminal at the Port of Redwood City has been in the works for several years. Now, the Port and the Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA), the agency that operates public commuter ferries in the Bay Area, are preparing to start work on a draft Environmental...
Santa Clara City Council Calls For Protection of Juristac
This Tuesday, the Santa Clara City Council unanimously adopted a resolution urging the County to deny permits for an open-pit mine at Juristac — a region sacred to the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band and a critical wildlife linkage. Please thank the City Councilmembers for passing this resolution calling for the protection of Juristac! What’s Happening:...
A Historic Moment: Coyote Valley Finally Protected From Urban Development
Last week, San Jose took a historic step by declaring Coyote Valley a place for open space and farmland. The unanimous vote by the San Jose City Council reversed decades of misguided planning policy and declared over 3,000 acres of open space off-limits to urban development. We thank the City Council, staff, and all our...
Amazon-Style Warehouse/Distribution Center Threatens Coyote Valley
In an alarming 5-4 vote on October 27, San Jose’s Planning Commission decided against protecting Coyote Valley. Rejecting the recommendations from Planning staff and the 36-member General Plan Task Force, they voted to recommend against changing the land use in North Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture. It is up to...
Ask San Jose Planning Commission to Recommend Protecting Coyote Valley
On Wednesday, October 27, the San Jose Planning Commission will vote on recommendations to amend the General Plan to change the land use in Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture. Please email the Planning Commission and tell them to protect Coyote Valley! Setting the Stage for Historic City Council Vote in...
Please Oppose Expansion of Massive East Palo Alto Development
On Tuesday, September 28, the East Palo Alto City Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint study session to consider whether to more than triple the size of the Ravenswood Specific Plan, an already-enormous office proposal along the Bay shoreline. Doing this will harm the wetlands, and cause terrible traffic jams, gentrification and displacement....
A New Vision For Coyote Valley
Imagine a restored and protected Coyote Valley — a place of meadows and riparian woodlands providing habitat connectivity for animals from bobcats to burrowing owls, thriving small farms practicing sustainable agriculture, and peaceful open space and hiking trails. Join Green Foothills on Wednesday, August 4 from 6:00-7:30 pm for our New Vision for Coyote Valley...
Development Threatens Redwood City Wetland Habitat
A developer is proposing to build a 350-unit apartment complex on a 20-acre tidal mudflat in Redwood City. This project will destroy wetland habitat, may result in release of toxic contaminants, and would put residential development in the path of sea level rise. Green Foothills and our partners are opposing the project. Proposal: Destroy Wetlands...