Wendy Chou is a climate change advocate who works as the Coalition and Project Senior Manager at Acterra: Action for a Healthy Planet. In 2022, she participated in the Green Foothills Leadership Program. At the time, she was working as Acterra’s communications manager, and she wanted to gain more experience and training in advocacy and...
Category: News
Welcome Jessica, Farewell Juan
Green Foothills is delighted to welcome a new Environmental Associate, Jessica Wohlander, who will spearhead our work in San Benito County and southern Santa Clara County. Jessica will work on land use issues and development projects to protect the natural resources, rich farmland, and beautiful open spaces of the Upper Pajaro Watershed. Jessica Brings San...
Species Spotlight: Mountain Lions
Mountain lions aren’t just beautiful animals – they’re a keystone species, helping maintain a balanced ecosystem in our region. They’re also at risk due to habitat loss and difficulty migrating to new territories. That’s why so much of Green Foothills’ advocacy work emphasizes mountain lion survival. Mountain Lions – A Keystone Species at Risk Whether...
Protecting Pedestrians While Accommodating E-Bikes on the Coastal Trail
Half Moon Bay’s efforts to ban e-bikes on the Coastal Trail may be thwarted by a new state law. But there is a possible solution that will be a win-win for everyone involved: redesigning the Coastal Trail to include both paved surfaces for bikes and e-bikes, and unpaved surfaces for pedestrians. This would increase safety,...
Don’t Turn Coyote Valley’s Wildlife Corridor Into a Mausoleum
Update: Thanks to everyone who spoke up at the city’s 11/30/23 meeting. We’ll keep you informed about what’s happening with this. To receive updates, sign up for our email newsletter at greenfoothills.org/subscribe. On Thursday, November 30, the city of San Jose will hold a virtual community meeting to hear from the public about the Heritage...
Using Her Leadership Skills to Help Her Tribe: Isabella ‘Amne Gomez
Isabella ‘Amne Gomez is a Muwekma Ohlone Youth Ambassador and a first-year undergraduate student at Santa Clara University. Because of her youth leadership work, she was accepted into the Green Foothills Leadership Program during her last semester of high school. She plans to use the skills, knowledge, and connections gained in the Leadership Program to...
Saving Our Beaches
California’s coastal bluffs, cliffs, and iconic beaches face a perilous future, as rising seas and hammering waves, fueled by climate change, are causing increased rates of shoreline erosion. Many beaches have been impacted by shoreline “protection” structures such as sea walls, revetments and rip-rap (boulders) that were installed in hopes of protecting coastal development. Ironically,...
Victory on Protecting Stanford Foothills
After years of advocating for stronger protections for the Stanford foothills, we can celebrate an important victory. On October 17, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved updates to the Stanford Community Plan, including extending by 99 years the supermajority vote requirement to allow development in the foothills. Please use the form below to...
Final Vote: Protect the Stanford Foothills
Update: Victory! On 10/17/23, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the Stanford Community Plan, including a 99-year extension of the supermajority vote requirement. While this vote won’t prevent any development from ever happening in the Stanford Foothills, it will require that for the next 99 years, 4 out of 5 Supervisors in...
A Message from Our New Executive Director
As I step into the role of Executive Director of Green Foothills, I’m honored and excited to lead this incredible organization that has had a profoundly important impact on our region. I do so surrounded by a talented team and dedicated community of people who share a vision of a region where wildlife thrives, everyone...