At Green Foothills, we focus some of our strongest advocacy efforts on the habitat linkages that are the key to protecting local wildlife. Only a few of these critical linkages are left in the Bay Area — and they’re increasingly at risk from development. Because Green Foothills focuses on San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties, we’re especially focused on preserving habitat linkages that allow wildlife to migrate in and out of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The Santa Cruz Mountains: A Fragmented Landscape The Santa Cruz Mountains form the green spine of the Peninsula, an oasis of natural habitat...
Healing in Nature: A Journey of Connection, Growth, and Equity
As Green Foothills concludes our Healing in Nature program, we reflect with deep gratitude and pride on what we’ve learned, built, and shared. Supported by generous funding from the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority and San Mateo County District 3, this program was more than just a series of outings, it was a bold step toward creating a conservation movement that prioritizes inclusion and justice. Over the past two years, we hosted eleven special Healing in Nature outings that offered deeply intentional experiences for veterans, farmworkers, Spanish-speakers, families, seniors, and system-engaged youth. For many of them, these outings were...
Shaping Policy and Community: Nicole Fernandez
When Nicole Fernandez signed up for the Green Foothills Leadership Program class of 2016-17, she was looking for new and interesting ways to contribute to her community. Dedicated to making the world a better place, she was working at the time in the elder abuse prevention unit of San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services. She was looking for ways to expand her networks and learn more about advocacy and leadership. In particular, she wanted to learn more about sustainability and the environment. The Leadership Program met her expectations. She appreciated the diversity of topics and speakers that the program...
New Housing for Half Moon Bay Farmworkers Taking Shape
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 the right location. Stone Pine Cove: A New Community For Farmworkers If you are driving to Half Moon Bay over Highway 92, you may soon spot a new community of manufactured homes sprouting on a former field of potted plants along Pilarcitos Creek. A total...
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 Green Foothills’ support. On March 3, the City Council voted to adopt the referendum reversing the decision, reducing the threat of sprawl development in Hollister. Hollister City Council Reverses Course on Potential City Expansion For some years, the City of Hollister has been considering the...
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 project. Guadalupe Quarry Redevelopment Project Threatens Endangered Butterflies The Guadalupe Quarry Redevelopment Project, currently under environmental review by the city of Brisbane, consists of a 1.3 million square foot Amazon-style warehouse and distribution center on the site of Guadalupe Quarry. The development would include parking...
Species Spotlight: Mission Blue Butterfly, San Bruno Elfin, and Callippe Silverspot
San Bruno Mountain, nestled in the northernmost part of San Mateo County, is an island of picturesque mountains that boasts green grassland, coastal scrubs, an intricate watershed, and dunes. If you’re lucky, when you visit you might catch the iconic flutter of three of the mountain’s vibrant butterflies: the Mission Blue, San Bruno Elfin, and Callippe Silverspot. Although 42 kinds of butterflies call San Bruno Mountain home, these three are of special concern because they’re on the Federal Endangered Species List. Meet the Endangered Butterflies of San Bruno Mountain As suggested by its name, the Mission Blue is an iridescent...
Leadership Program Participants Learn How to Make Dreams a Reality
Have you ever wished you could solve a problem in your community but didn’t know what to do or even where to start? This month, Green Foothills Leadership Program participants learned the secrets of how to plan and carry out a successful campaign to create change. They also began brainstorming ideas for creating their own environmental campaign plans to solve a problem that matters to them. Each campaign is a planned effort to achieve a specific goal, in response to a specific threat or opportunity. Many participants begin the Leadership Program’s 8-month training course with a general idea of what...
Green Foothills Remembers: Herb Grench, 1932-2024
The Green Foothills community was saddened to learn of the passing of Herb Grench in December. Herb was an early leader of Green Foothills and served on the board of directors from 1970-1973. He was soft spoken, had a ready smile and twinkle in his eye, and worked hard to find ways to achieve common ground with people who disagreed with protection of open space lands. In 1972 he helped achieve one of our earliest conservation victories, a 20-year protection of Coyote Hill in Palo Alto. Together with other Green Foothills leaders, Herb saw the need for a local entity...
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 Board of Supervisors On Tuesday, January 28, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors considered adopting a partial ban on artificial turf. This ban would have applied only to property owned by the County – not to any sports fields owned by schools or city...