March Updates

Avroh Shah is Bay Nature's 2025 Local Hero Young Leader

Our Environmental Advocacy team is fortunate to work with youth who are passionate, talented, and proactive in their advocacy for nature and the future of our planet. We are very pleased to see our friend Avroh Shah of the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition selected as Bay Nature's 2025 Young Leader! Avroh brought together a diverse community that together, successfully averted the expansion of the airport into the Palo Alto Baylands, and continues to advocate for the environment.

Avroh will receive an award at Bay Nature’s 15th Local Hero Awards on Sunday, April 6. We hope you will be there to congratulate this outstanding local hero! For more information and to purchase tickets, see Bay Nature Local Hero Event.

Surveys:

  1. Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve Regional Trail Planning Survey

The purpose of the Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve Regional Trail Planning project is to develop a plan for a trail network on the southern 1,800-acre portion of the Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve, including an area formerly known as Blair Ranch. Access could support hiking, camping, mountain biking and horseback riding activities. This trail network would continue regional trail connections from the northern portion of the preserve. 

Please respond to a survey here.

As you reflect on the survey questions, please keep in mind that trail use can place stress on local wildlife, and activities like mountain biking and camping may impact native plants and animal species. Let’s be mindful and tread gently on the land!

2. The Bay Area Air District is asking all those who breathe to take this short survey for their Bay Area Regional Climate Action Plan (BARCAP) Survey today!

They are gathering feedback from Bay Area communities on priorities and concerns regarding regional climate goals and potential strategies and actions. Public input is critical to guiding the priorities for BARCAP development. This survey takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Submit a response for a chance to win one of four $50 Amazon gift cards!

Secure Link

Updates and issues we are working on:

  1. The Burrowing Owls of Shoreline Park

    Phil Higgins,  the Burrowing Owl biologist, remains on Administrative Leave. To fill the gap the city of Mountain View hired consultants who are ensuring that burrowing owls (and other birds) are protected when landfill and other projects take place. Another consulting group works to implement the Burrowing Owl Preservation Plan and the Wildlife Management Plan. In January, there were more than 20 owls at Shoreline.

    We expect many of the owls to leave soon and migrate to their breeding ground up north. Meanwhile, we ask all our members to be careful not to disturb owls, and at the same time be vigilant. Please report any concerns to Advocate@scvbirdalliance.org…

  1. Vista Heights / Cupertino

    The Vista Heights project, aiming to build a new subdivision on the  Stevens Creek canyon rim, has met a red light. The City of Cupertino has deemed the project’s Builder’s Remedy application was incomplete and therefore, the City is no longer processing this application. However, the immense damage caused to the landscape of this property remains a gaping injury. The City required the project applicant, Mr. Chen, to submit a "Retroactive Grading Permit" for remediation/restoration of the immense damage to the hill. The deadline for this permit application has passed, and Cuopertino has issued a Notice of Violation. We continue to follow this project.

  2. Shoreline Protection (Sea Level Rise) in Palo Alto and Mountain View

    In November 2020, Santa Clara County voters approved Valley Water’s Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Ballot Measure which included Project E7: San Francisco Bay Shoreline Project. This project, a multi-agency effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Valley Water, the California State Coastal Conservancy, and regional stakeholders, aims to provide tidal flood protection, restore and enhance tidal marsh and related habitats, and improve recreational and public access along Santa Clara County's shoreline.

    Phase I levees (Alviso) are currently in construction. However, as costs escalate, Valley Water seeks to divert funds from Phase II (Palo Alto/Mountain View) to Phase I. This is of concern, because the Army Corps has decided not to provide funding to Phase I and so without funding from the approved ballot measure,  this area of our county - including baylands and critical  infrastructure - will remain unprotected for decades.

    We asked the Valley Water Board of Directors to:

● Preserve Safe, Clean Water and Natural Flood Protection Project E7 funding for

Phase II rather than reallocating it to other geographical areas.

● Retain the stated benefits of Project E7, including restoring 400 acres of tidal marsh

and related habitats in the Palo Alto/Mountain View area and protect critical structures, such as the Regional Water Quality Control Plant.

● Maintain the ability to use Project funds for design and construction to support

resilience efforts in these areas.

● Revise the Control Process Update to ensure robust outreach and engagement well in

advance of required public hearings.