This November, San Benito voters can change the way land use decisions are made in the county. Measure A, the “Empower Voters to Make Land Use Decisions” initiative, would make voters the decision makers on any proposed development that would change rural, agricultural, or range land to commercial, industrial, or residential uses. It would protect our local environment throughout the county and beyond. That’s why Green Foothills has endorsed Measure A. Measure A would give a voice to the people most impacted by the county’s development decisions. It would push the county towards a more sustainable future that creates abundant...
Please Speak Out About Proposed Cemetery In Coyote Valley
Here’s another opportunity to help protect Coyote Valley. On Monday, September 23, there will be a public meeting about the environmental impacts of the Heritage Oaks Memorial Park, a sprawling cemetery and crematorium that’s been proposed on the hills overlooking Coyote Valley. Please attend the Zoom meeting or email the City of San Jose to show your concern about the impacts this project will have on Coyote Valley! What’s Happening In 2014, the city of San Jose rezoned 275 acres of hillsides on the west side of Coyote Valley for a cemetery. The Heritage Oaks Memorial Park would sprawl over...
Tell PG&E to Keep Energy Facilities Out of Coyote Valley
Update: Public comments about this project can be sent to the California Public Utilities Commission anytime through October 7, 2024. You can use the online form at the bottom of this page to send your email. On Wednesday, September 18, there will be a public meeting about the environmental impacts of a proposed new energy facility that will be built either on an orchard in Coyote Valley next to Coyote Creek, or at an existing PG&E substation. Please tell PG&E and the California Public Utilities Commission to put this new energy facility on the existing PG&E substation site, not in...
Congratulations to the 2024 Leadership Program Grads. We’re Now Accepting Applications for 2025!
Congratulations to the Green Foothills Leadership Program 2024 participants, who graduated on August 17. We are excited to announce that applications for 2025 are now open! Application forms are available in English and Spanish on the Leadership Program web page. Each participant in this year’s class of 19 graduates used what they learned in the Leadership Program to design a capstone project focusing on environmental justice and/or conservation. Participants worked individually or in small groups, and the projects were presented at graduation. This year’s topics included: A Glass-Free Beach Agricultural Education in California Schools Building a More Resilient East Palo...
How Did the Bobcat Cross the Road? 60 People in San Benito County Found Out Last Week
In San Benito County, just northwest of San Juan Bautista, a 2.5-mile stretch of Highway 101 is a “hot spot” for wildlife/vehicle collisions. This part of the county is still mostly ranches, farms, and pristine natural landscapes, and it is one of the main routes wildlife use when traveling between the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Gabilan Range. Last week, about 60 local residents gathered at an informational forum organized by Green Foothills and Terra Cultura to learn about the ecology of this region, why animals migrate through the area, and how we can protect and co-exist with wildlife as...
Parks Funding Is Critical for Climate Resilience
Funding for local parks is under attack from developers who object to paying park impact fees, and cities who hope that reducing fees will spur more housing construction. But parks play a critical role in climate resilience and public health, especially for disadvantaged communities. That’s why Green Foothills is advocating for cities to prioritize park funding for the sake of public health, equity, and the environment. How Parks Support Climate Resilience and Public Health Parks, and other urban green spaces such as street trees, reduce neighborhood temperatures during hot weather. They also improve air quality, absorb and filter storm water,...
Coyote Valley: Protecting What We’ve Preserved
A New Report from Green Foothills Recent proposals for rezoning the Monterey Road corridor threaten the progress that’s been made in protecting Coyote Valley, a crucial conservation area just south of San Jose. Coyote Valley, just south of San José, is a key location for wildlife connectivity, regional biodiversity, flood protection, and trails and public open space. Santa Clara County voters agree and have consistently and overwhelmingly supported conservation of this region. Yet now, these efforts could be undermined by recent proposed developments directly in the Coyote Creek corridor between Monterey Road and US Highway 101. Squeezing development into this...
Species Spotlight: Clarkia
In late spring, California’s grasslands begin their annual transformation from lush spring-green into the golden hues of summer. If you look carefully, you might see hundreds of showy pink, rose, red, and purple blooms scattered like jewels amidst the tall grasses in the drying-out landscape. These flowers are Clarkia, named after Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark expedition that crossed the American continent from 1804-1806. Some organizations are now calling for Clarkia to be renamed Yorkia after York, a Black man who was an important member of the expedition. York, who was enslaved by Clark, was a naturalist...
Climate Funding Will Be On November Ballot
Californians will have a chance this November to vote for a historic $10 billion climate resilience bond. This bond measure, titled Proposition 4, would ensure funding for a wide variety of environmental programs, including $25 million for protecting Coyote Valley. The purpose of the bond is to provide a reliable source of funding to help the state deal with climate change. This is especially important given the recent steep cuts to climate funding in the state budget. Funding Would Benefit Open Space, Wildlife, Farmland, and Much More In addition to the $25 million dedicated to ecological restoration and protection of...
John Ebneter: Addressing Housing, Environment, and Equity
John Ebneter was a member of the first-ever Green Foothills Leadership Program class in 2013-14. In 2015 he became a Planning Commissioner for the City of San Mateo, a position in which he continues to serve today. He also volunteers with a housing advocacy group. With a background in construction and a dedication to social equity and to protecting the environment, he works to ensure that his city makes smart urban planning decisions. “My core environmental advocacy today is in the housing arena,” John said. “Housing is key to many of our social and … environmental issues that need to...