Local farmland is a critical natural resource that is continually under threat of development. As Santa Clara County updates its zoning rules for development in rural unincorporated areas, Green Foothills is urging the County to ensure that these zoning amendments preserve important farmland, support local agriculture, and prevent oversized development from creeping into rural communities. Changes to Rural Zoning Can Prevent Further Loss of Farmland The rural zoning amendments were prompted by the County’s recognition that ongoing development threats to farmland are not being adequately addressed by the current regulations. Once known as the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” due to...
Defending San Bruno Mountain
San Bruno Mountain, just south of San Francisco, is an example of the type of landscape that most needs environmental advocacy: a fragile ecosystem at risk from a proposed manufacturing facility. Green Foothills, a conservation nonprofit that has been a champion for nature on the Peninsula since 1962, is working alongside local environmental partners to halt this harmful development proposal and safeguard the mountain’s irreplaceable habitat. San Bruno Mountain’s Landscape: A Haven for Biodiversity Rising above the cities of northern San Mateo County, San Bruno Mountain is a wild backyard for nearby communities and a living reminder of what the...
Destruction of Trees and Habitat at Pleasant Hills Site
The City of San Jose is about to start studying the environmental impacts of a massive proposed development on open space at the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course. But while that review hasn’t even started, the landowner has already begun cutting down and removing trees—destroying wildlife habitat before the city can evaluate or address the impacts. We’re urging the City to require full mitigation for the loss of trees and wildlife habitat caused by this premature clearing. If you’re a resident of San Jose, please use our form to send an email to the City. Habitat Lost Before Environmental Review...
Take Action for Trees and Habitat at Pleasant Hills
The City of San Jose is about to start studying the environmental impacts of a massive proposed development on open space at the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course. But while that review hasn’t even started, the landowner has already begun cutting down and removing trees—destroying wildlife habitat before the city can evaluate or address the impacts. We need your help to hold the landowner accountable. Please use the form below email the City and urge officials to require full mitigation for the loss of trees and wildlife habitat caused by this premature clearing. What’s Happening The Pleasant Hills Golf Course,...
Species Spotlight: California Red-Legged Frog
Across the state, the harmonious sound of frogs regularly brings our backyards and landscapes to life. Among these voices is the California red-legged frog, a native species that has long made its home in our region’s ponds, creeks, and wetlands. Once found throughout California and as far south as Baja California, the red-legged frog has had its fair share of fame. It took on the star role in Mark Twain’s first literary success – the short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” – and in 2014 became California’s official state amphibian. Unfortunately, as their habitat has been developed...
Sprawl Project Appeals Denied by Santa Clara County
Over the past two months, the Santa Clara County Planning Commission has rejected appeals for four residential sprawl projects on rural land. These developments would have destroyed farmland and wildlife habitat and would have put homes in wildfire hazard zones, flood zones, and areas subject to seismic hazards. Thank you to the Planning Commission for voting to protect nature and farmland – please keep holding the line on future appeals. And thank you to all the Santa Clara County residents who emailed the Planning Commission over the past few months in response to our action alerts – your voices were...
Ask Planning Commission to Keep Protecting Nature and Farmland
Update 10/23/25: The Planning Commission has postponed its vote on this topic until November 20. Thank you to everyone who emailed the Planning Commission in response to our action alert. Your comments will be included in the packet that Planning Commission staff provide to the Commissioners for their November 20 meeting. To anyone who hasn’t sent comments yet — you now have until the morning of November 20 to send your email! You can use the handy online form at the bottom of this page. Please take a moment to email the Santa Clara County Planning Commission about another builder’s...
Ask Planning Commission to Hold the Line to Protect Local Nature
Update: We’re pleased to report that on October 7, the Planning Commission voted 4-2 to deny this project. Your emails made a difference! Over the past few weeks, the Santa Clara County Planning Commission has denied appeals for three residential sprawl projects on open space where the developers missed important application deadlines under the builder’s remedy law. Next Thursday, October 7, the Planning Commission will vote on another appeal, in the Santa Teresa foothills east of Almaden Valley, that also failed to meet the deadline. Please email the Planning Commission using the form below and ask them to deny this...
Legislators Fail to Protect Environment & Communities, But We Persevere
In June, the California legislature passed a deeply flawed bill that stripped away critical protections for our state’s environment and communities. Leaders in the legislature acknowledged the bill’s flaws and promised to fix them before the legislature adjourned for the year, but they failed to uphold that promise. This leaves California’s lands, wildlife, and people without key environmental protections. Green Foothills is part of a coalition supporting new legislation that will fix this bill to safeguard local nature and people. Dangerous Exemptions to Environmental Protection Law The bill, Senate Bill 131 (SB 131), exempts certain kinds of projects from the...
Ask Planning Commission to Deny Two More Destructive Projects
Update: We’re pleased to report that on September 25, the Planning Commission voted to deny both appeals. The votes were 4-3 and 5-2. Thank you to everyone who emailed the Planning Commissioners! On Thursday, September 25, the Santa Clara County Planning Commission will consider whether two development applications for residential sprawl on open space outside San Jose have expired and should be denied. Both of these developments would destroy wildlife habitat and put residents in harm’s way, and the developer missed the deadline to complete both applications. In August, the Planning Commission denied a similar appeal because of the missed deadline....