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.

Protect Palo Alto Streams: Important Community Meeting February 06

What is happening?
Palo Alto is developing a Stream Corridor Protection Ordinance. A hybrid community meeting will be held (in person or by Zoom) on Thursday, February 06, 2025. At this meeting, City staff will present an overview of Palo Alto’s creek protection regulations as well as a summary of their recommendations for updates.

Why is it important?
Creeks are a vital part of Palo Alto’s natural landscape, providing critical ecological habitat that supports biodiversity and offers important linkages for wildlife. They also contribute to the city’s aesthetic appeal and play a key role in flood mit654igation by channeling stormwater to the Bay.

Development setbacks typically require that a designated distance, measured from the “top of bank,” remain free from the construction of structures. These setbacks are essential because they buffer wildlife and habitats from disruptive activities, preserve ecological functions, and ensure the long-term health of riparian and aquatic environments. By maintaining these buffers, setbacks also help protect water quality, reduce erosion, and provide space for natural floodplains, which in turn reduce flood risks to homes in the watershed.

Even channelized creeks, which have been confined to concrete banks, can offer ecological benefits if setbacks are properly maintained. While concrete channels are far from ideal, they can still support urban ecosystems. Allowing trees and vegetation to grow along the banks can create a more functional riparian habitat, offering water and shelter to birds, insects, and other wildlife.

How can you help?
Community input is crucial to further refine options under consideration and staff recommendations before they are presented to the Planning and Transportation Commission and the City Council. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Join a community meeting in person or on Zoom and provide your feedback to help shape staff recommendations for the ordinance update!

📅 When: Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
📍 In person: Palo Alto City Hall Lobby, 250 Hamilton Avenue (Free parking is available in the garage under City Hall.)
📍 On Zoom:
https://cityofpaloalto.zoom.us/j/81024332864
Meeting ID: 810 2433 2864 | Passcode: 494888

RSVPs are not required, but they help the City plan. To  RSVP for this community meeting use the link here.

Suggested Talking Points for Community Members:

• Preserving Riparian Buffers: Emphasize the importance of setbacks to protect creek ecosystems and ensure they remain resilient to urbanization and climate change.

• Ecological Benefits of Creeks: Highlight how creeks like San Francisquito, Adobe, and Matadero support biodiversity, water quality, and flood control.

• Improving Channelized Creeks: Advocate for retrofitting or enhancing land near channelized sections with vegetation, trees, or habitat-friendly features to improve their ecological function.

• Long-Term Planning for Resilience: Stress the need for policies that anticipate future challenges, such as increased flooding or habitat loss due to climate change.

• Community and Aesthetic Value: Discuss the importance of creeks as natural spaces that enhance the community’s quality of life through recreation and education.

Your voice matters in ensuring that these vital natural resources are protected and restored for future generations. Together, we can create policies that balance urban development with the health of Palo Alto’s creeks and riparian environments.

Thank you for being active in your community,

Please tell County to approve artificial turf ordinance

Hi nature-lovers,

On Tuesday, January 28, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will vote on an ordinance that would prevent the County from installing new artificial turf on County-owned property. Artificial turf (plastic grass) causes microplastic pollution and exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals,” as well as causing more player injuries than natural grass. Please email the Supervisors and tell them to vote for this ban and improve sustainability in our county!

What’s Happening

Santa Clara County is considering adopting a partial ban on artificial turf. This ban would apply only to property owned by the County – not to any sports fields owned by schools or city parks, or to privately owned homes or businesses. In addition, the ordinance includes an exemption for County-owned land where an existing lease requires the continued use of artificial turf. It also only bans new installation or replacement of artificial turf – it does not require removal of existing turf. 

Unfortunately, the artificial turf industry and some sports organizations have mounted a huge campaign to oppose the ordinance. As a result, many families mistakenly believe that this ordinance would require ripping out existing artificial turf sports fields, or that it would apply to all sports fields everywhere in the County, which could drastically affect playing time availability. When the Supervisors first considered this ordinance last summer, many people emailed and spoke to beg them not to approve the ordinance due to this mistaken belief.

The truth is that there are only a handful of sites which contain County-owned land with artificial turf, and most of those fall under the existing lease exemption. There is a proposal to create new sports fields at the County Fairgrounds site, and the ordinance would apply to those if approved.

Why It Matters

Artificial turf can be more accurately described as “plastic grass.” The plastic material degrades over time, creating microplastics that are washed into storm drains and out into the ocean where they impact marine species. And the chemicals used in artificial turf are known as “forever chemicals” because they never break down. Artificial turf has the dubious distinction of being something that will linger on this planet forever. Considering that as a playing surface, artificial turf only lasts 8-10 years before it must be hauled to a landfill and replaced, that is a very short usable lifespan compared to the millions of years this product will stay in our environment.

Artificial turf is not even a superior playing surface. It results in more player injuries than natural grass fields, and it reaches temperatures during hot days that make it hazardous to use. As climate change accelerates, there will be more and more days of extreme heat, meaning there will be more and more days when artificial turf playing fields will be unusable. Supervisor Otto Lee’s office has created an FAQ on artificial turf with more information. 

While this ordinance is extremely limited in its impact, even this modest action will serve as a first step towards encouraging other counties and cities to consider enacting their own bans.

What You Can Do

Please email the Supervisors and tell them to vote for the artificial turf ordinance!

February Updates

Foothill Yellow-legged Frog: Pierre Fidenci

Help protect Burrowing Owls

Last March, our chapter with other organizations submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the Western Burrowing Owl as a threatened or endangered species under CESA.  In October 2024, the commission provided the owls with a Candidate for listing status, providing the Western Burrowing Owl with the same legal protection given to an endangered or threatened species. This action opened a 12 month period for The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to conduct a status review prior to the commission’s final decision. As part of the status review process, CDFW wants to receive information about the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival; the adequacy of existing management and recommendations for species management.

Now, CDFW is seeking public input on a petition to list the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act. The owl, which inhabits grasslands and agricultural areas, faces threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, predation and recreation. CDFW will review data on the species’ ecology, threats, and management to produce a status report by October 2025, aiding the Fish and Wildlife Commission in its decision. Submit comments by email to wildlifemgt@wildlife.ca.gov by February 15, 2025. Please include “Western Burrowing Owl” in the subject line and express how important it is to save the Burrowing Owls of California from extinction.

Palo Alto residents: birds and nature need your help!

Palo Alto is making progress towards the adoption of ordinances to reduce light pollution, protect birds from flying into windows, protect waterways, and integrate more nature and less plastic in Palo Alto's landscape.  Palo Alto residents have several opportunities to participate in shaping these important local environmental policies at upcoming public meetings this February:

Monday February 3:  The City Council will discuss the proposed Dark Sky Ordinance aimed at reducing light pollution. 

Thursday February 6: An in-person community meeting will focus on the development of a Creek Protection Ordinance to safeguard local waterways (Creek Protection Project Page). Please join us to help protect our waterways. Register here.

Monday February 24: The City Council will discuss the proposed  Bird-Friendly Design Ordinance to help reduce risks to local and migratory bird populations.

Tuesday February 25: The Parks and Recreation Commission will discuss the City’s Tree and Landscaping Manual. Let’s ask that the manual promotes locally native plants and habitat and reduces the use of plastic in landscaping!

Please watch your inbox for our action alerts! And please contact Shani at Advocate@scvbirdalliance.com if you are able to participate (in person or on zoom) in any of the meetings listed above - we need to show the city that we care about birds and nature!

Help Protect the Foothill Yellow-legged Frog

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes designating 760,071 acres in California as critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog. The species is threatened by habitat degradation, climate change, and invasive species. Critical habitat includes streams and upland areas essential for survival and recovery, with half on federally managed lands. Efforts to balance conservation with wildfire risk reduction and water infrastructure operations are ongoing. 

Please comment by March 17, 2025