Protect San Jose Wildlife Corridors

Can one house block a major wildlife linkage? This one can!

Please ask San Jose Planning Commission to require a full Environmental Impact Report for the Gschwend Residence project.

What is happening

A home and driveway are proposed on a 17-acre property on Santa Teresa ridge at the southern boundary of San Jose, along the Coyote-Alamitos Canal. The property is a designated Critical Habitat for the Bay Checkerspot butterfly, and identified as a critical linkage for acquisition by the Valley Habitat Plan. Pathways for Wildlife identified the property as the most important wildlife crossing site where mountain lions, badgers, deer and other species can safely cross Santa Teresa Blvd. Science shows clearly that a house and its associated activities, noise, lighting and driveway will have a significant impact on wildlife movement.

The San Jose Planning Commission will discuss the proposed project on Wednesday, June 8.

The property was purchased 5 years ago for and is currently on the market for sale for 3 times the purchase price. An approval by the Planning Commission would only increase the property value and thus encourage speculation in other environmentally sensitive areas.

Why this is important

So what's the big deal about just one house? It could have a significant environmental impact on the entire region.


Pathways for Wildlife, the research consultants used by the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Agency and the Open Space Authority to study wildlife movement in and around Coyote Valley has identified this very specific site as critical for the wildlife linkage between the large habitats of the Diablo range and Santa Cruz Mountains needed to maintain genetic diversity of the wildlife populations.

For example, studies show that the existence of mountain lions in the Santa Cruz Mountains is already threatened by health issues due to inbreeding.

Still, what’s the impact of one house? Picture an hourglass with the top and bottom chambers as the large habitats, this site is that pinch point in the middle. If you clog it, you lose the flow and hence the whole functioning of the hour glass is lost.

Pathways for Wildlife identified only two safe wildlife passages available to cross Santa Teresa Blvd. and one is the culvert of the Coyote Alamitos Canal at this site.

Have you ever seen a mountain lion in person? Like me; probably not. But if you’ve hiked our hills, they’ve seen, heard, and smelled you. They avoid human contact and activity including cars, lights, and noise.

How you can help

Ask the Planning Commission not to approve the project but rather require an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to fully study and mitigate the significant threats that building a home and a driveway in this critically sensitive wildlife corridor would cause.

Example email/talking points

As a resident of San Jose who cares deeply about nature, the health of our wildlife populations and the integrity of wildlife connectivity in our region, I ask the Planning commission to deny the Gschwend Residence Project. Please require a full Environmental Impact report to analyze the impacts of the project to endangered species, to fully mitigate the impacts of the project on animal movement and on the critical habitat for Bay Checkerspot butterflies, and to explore alternatives.

Thank You,

[ your Name]

and the wildlife of Santa Clara County

June Conservation Corner

Conservation Corner: June

Palo Alto Baylands and Byxbee Park 

SCVAS advocacy program is looking for Palo Alto residents to join us in protecting birds and habitat at the Baylands and Byxbee Park. Please contact shani@scvas.org if you are available to help. 

June Ballot: Vote NO on Measure A in Santa Clara County 

Valley Water (AKA Water District) has placed on the June Ballot a misleading measure. Asking “Shall the measure amending the Santa Clara Valley Water District Ordinance 11-01 to limit Board members to four successive four-year terms be adopted?” Board members are currently limited to three successive four-year terms, so a yes vote would extend rather than limit the term limits. SCVAS recommends a NO vote on Valley Water ballot measure A. 

AB 2382: Light Pollution Control California 

State Assembly Member Alex Lee has introduced a bill (AB 2382) to reduce light pollution and promote better health and safety for birds, humans, and nature. If passed, the bill will reduce future outdoor light pollution on buildings and structures on State properties. SCVAS is a sponsor of AB 2382 and we are working with Lee’s legislative team to help make this bill a law! You can read the text here.

Cupertino: Help Restore the Blackberry Farm Golf Course to Nature! 

Cupertino is asking community members to share their opinions on their preferred future use of the Blackberry Farm Golf Course site. This property is near the Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society (SCVAS). Cupertino is considering two alternatives:

A. Minor Repairs to the Existing Golf Course 

B. Restore the site to natural habitat with trail facilities. Previously, there was a strong response from residents in favor of restoration to nature

Change is hard, so the city needs to hear from all of us!

  • Please respond to this short survey and ask Cupertino to Restore the land to its natural habitat.

  • There will be a Virtual Community Meeting Monday, June 6 at 6:30 pm. Register Here.

Reasons for restoring nature:

Option B: Conversion to Natural Habitat

1. The restored natural area will use less water than the golf course, especially after the first 3-8 years of irrigation to establish the trees and plants.

2. This will be a place to plant native trees, shrubs and grasses which provide habitat for birds and other species, and support biodiversity as recommended in Cupertino's Climate Action Plan.

3. There are grants available that will reduce the amount of City funding required for maintaining natural habitat.

4. Children need to learn about nature first hand. Many popular outings and courses at Santa Clara Valley Audubon Society at McClellan Ranch grew during the pandemic, and will continue to grow.

5. Our region is becoming more urban. We must restore a piece of wildness for wildlife, our children and the future of our environment.

Option A: Golf Course Minor Repairs and Improvements

1. Golf Courses use much more water in a time of growing drought than the natural habitat.

2. It currently costs $500,000 a year to maintain a large area for a relatively few residents. Repairs will reduce this subsidy, but not eliminate it.

3. The overall grass used for playing golf is a “food desert” for wildlife.

Speak out for restoring nature! Learn more here.

Monday, June 6 at 6:30 pm Register Here. 

Please participate and ask Cupertino to Restore the land to its natural habitat. (This alternative includes discontinuing the use of the site as a golf course. This would consist of transitioning much of the existing golf course turf to native, climate-friendly landscaping, removing much of the existing perimeter netting and fencing, construction of a trail network, and design for potential environmental education programming.)

Cupertino Parks

Calling all Cupertino Residents!: Share your love for parks and nature!

Here are two opportunities for Cupertino Residents to express their love for nature, wildlife birds and what makes Cupertino special:

  • Share your Parks and Recreation story:

Do you have a short story to tell about an experience in nature, or about the birds along Stevens Creek? The deer, quail, and coyote? The great-horned and screech owls or the red-shouldered hawk? Have you participated in a bioblitz along the creek, or visited the McClellan Ranch bird feeders? Have you seen children enjoying the birds, the bugs, the deer, the meadow?


July is ‘Parks and Recreation Month’ and Cupertino wants to hear your favorite stories about Cupertino parks! Fill out this survey by May 13th, and your story might be featured in Cupertino’s July Scene.


This is a unique opportunity to share our experience and ensure that the Cupertino Parks Department understands just how important wildlife, birds and nature are to you and your family.


And please share the stories with us as well - we’d love to hear them!

  • Prioritize Birds and Native Habitat Restoration in Cupertino’s New Park, Lawrence-Mitty:

Cupertino has a new park and you can help design it! Please complete this survey by May 23rd to provide design input for the City’s new park, Lawrence-Mitty!

Please include the following recommendations:

No outdoor lightingNative habitat restoration and enhancementTrails that are unlit, slow, winding, narrow trails that have minimal impact on surrounding habitatNo shade sails or other artificial shade mechanisms that would retain heat. Instead, provide more trees for shade.This park would be a great spot for planting native trees as per the CAP requirements

Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) Educational Videos!

One of our focus advocacy efforts is raising awareness about and reducing Artificial Light At Night (ALAN). ALAN negatively affects virtually all species on Earth, especially birds trying to migrate. We advocate for responsible outdoor lighting through city planning documents, advocating for dark sky and bird safe design ordinances, commenting on development projects, and raising awareness through education initiatives. One of these initiatives is our ALAN video series featuring our Environmental Advocacy Assistant Giulianna Pendleton! Check out our two-part video series below!

Video #1: Wildlife and Harvest 2021 SCVAS Light Pollution


Video #2: SCVAS Light Pollution Volume 2

San Jose at night: Keith Wandry