Regardless of how one may feel about High-Speed Rail (HSR), it is important that it avoids and mitigates impacts to farmlands, ranchlands, and habitats if it moves forward in our area. Despite Green Foothills taking no stance on the statewide question of whether to have high-speed rail, we did submit extensive comments to limit local...
Author: Brian Schmidt
Santa Clara County Continues Agricultural Preservation Work
On Tuesday, April 19, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors decided to continue making progress on financial incentives protecting Coyote Valley’s farmland and open space. We asked the Supervisors to keep the process moving forward, and with over 300 people writing in their support, the Supervisors did just that. County staff brought four different...
Ask Supervisors to Support Incentives to Protect Coyote Valley
On Tuesday, April 19, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will decide whether to continue making progress on protecting Coyote Valley’s farmland and open space. Please ask the Supervisors to keep moving the process forward and to keep all options on the table that will help preserve farmland and open space. What’s Happening On...
Taking Action to Acquire, Protect, and Restore Lehigh Quarry
For the past century, Lehigh Quarry has been the site of a limestone mining operation and cement plant that has ravaged more than 800 acres of land in the hills outside Cupertino, and indirectly damaged much more land near Rancho San Antonio Park. Now Santa Clara County has a chance to acquire, protect, and restore...
Ask Supervisors to Support Steps to Close Lehigh Quarry
On Tuesday, February 15, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will decide if staff should investigate options for purchasing Lehigh Quarry and cement plant, potentially ending decades of air and water pollution. The ravaged moonscape of the quarry could finally begin habitat restoration to the benefit of all. Please ask the Supervisors to support...
People Who Give Us Hope: Pat Toombs
Community activists exemplify the saying, “think global, act local.” Pat Toombs, a resident of rural Santa Clara County, embodies this maxim. Her work demonstrates how Green Foothills’ partnerships with local communities stop sprawl development and protect crucial habitat. Pat and her husband Larry live west of Gilroy along Uvas Creek, in an area where farmlands...
County’s Historic Coyote Valley Vote Matches San Jose’s
On December 14, Santa Clara County Supervisors voted unanimously to designate the part of Coyote Valley under its jurisdiction a Climate Resilience District. This new District will strengthen protections against monster estate development that is a significant cause of farmland loss in rural areas. This action matches and supports the decision by San Jose to...
Tell County Supervisors: Coyote Valley is for Farmers and Climate Resilience
On Tuesday, December 14, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will consider whether to designate Coyote Valley a Climate Resilience District. This new designation will ensure that farmland in Mid and South Coyote Valley will not be taken over by luxury villas and estate homes for Silicon Valley billionaires. Please email the Supervisors and...
Victory in San Jose for Coyote Valley! Now County Will Consider Climate Resilience District
We did it! Last night, the San Jose City Council unanimously voted to change the land use in North Coyote Valley from industrial to open space and agriculture, and to remove the Urban Reserve designation from Mid Coyote Valley. Now, our efforts move to Santa Clara County where the Planning Commission will consider the Coyote...
Helping to Address Crucial Environmental Issues in San Benito County
Over the years, Green Foothills has worked on a number of issues in counties adjacent to San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties that have cross-border effects. Our recent work in San Benito County has garnered us an invitation and funding to continue partnering with local organizations and the Amah Mutsun Tribe in fighting to protect...