The January 2023 mass shooting that left seven coastside farmworkers dead shone a spotlight on the deplorable conditions where many of the victims had been living. Now, a new community of homes in Half Moon Bay will help to relieve their plight. Green Foothills supported this farmworker housing project, which provides much-needed affordable housing in...
Category: Action Alert
Hollister Vote Protects Thousands of Acres of Farmland
In December 2024, the Hollister City Council voted to adopt a new General Plan for the city that could have led to the loss of up to 3,000 acres of surrounding farmland and open space. But Hollister residents came together to protect nature and local farms, launching a referendum effort to reverse that decision, with...
Warehouse Threatens Endangered Butterflies on San Bruno Mountain
A giant Amazon-style warehouse and distribution center has been proposed on the site of Guadalupe Quarry on San Bruno Mountain, which is home to numerous threatened and endangered species, including endangered butterflies whose habitat would be paved over by the development. Green Foothills is partnering with local residents and environmental groups to oppose this destructive...
County Supervisors Rejected Artificial Turf Ordinance
Thanks to everyone who emailed the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors regarding the artificial turf ordinance. Unfortunately, the Supervisors voted 3-2 to reject the ordinance. Please use the form below this blog to email the two Supervisors who voted in favor (Otto Lee and Margaret Abe-Koga) to thank them! Artificial Turf Ordinance Rejected by...
Defending Wetlands in East Palo Alto
The Ravenswood Business District Specific Plan, a plan for massive office development adjacent to the Bay wetlands in East Palo Alto, was approved by the City Council in December. Although we were not able to significantly reduce the size of the development allowed by the plan, Green Foothills and our partners succeeded in incorporating...
Please Tell County to Approve Artificial Turf Ordinance
On Tuesday, January 28, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will vote on an ordinance that would prevent the County from installing new artificial turf on County-owned property. Artificial turf (plastic grass) causes microplastic pollution and exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals,” as well as causing more player injuries than natural grass. Please use the...
Development Interests Seek to Circumvent Measure A
Measure A, passed in November, requires voter approval for development proposals that change agricultural, rural, or rangeland to commercial, industrial, or residential in San Benito County. This added protection for open space and farmland is great for nature and the county but was opposed by developers. In the weeks surrounding the election, a few developers...
Palo Alto Approves Resolution in Support of Juristac
Earlier this month, Palo Alto became the seventh city in our region to pass a resolution opposing the Sargent Ranch Quarry and calling for the permanent protection of Juristac, a critical wildlife linkage and sacred Indigenous landscape. We are urging Santa Clara County to heed the growing movement to defend Juristac and deny the permit...
Ask Palo Alto City Council to Support Protecting Juristac
Update: The Palo Alto City Council voted unanimously in favor of the resolution to protect Juristac. Thank you to everyone who sent emails or attended the City Council meeting. On Monday, December 2, the Palo Alto City Council will consider a resolution in support of protecting Juristac and opposing the Sargent Ranch mining operation. Please...
Victory for San Benito’s Measure A
We are thrilled to announce that the voters of San Benito County have passed Measure A! A strong majority of voters supported this citizen-led initiative, which protects open space, wildlife and farmland and empowers the people of San Benito to decide how the county will grow. Green Foothills supported the Measure A campaign throughout the...