Cupertino’s Blackberry Farm Golf Course: Time to Return to Nature
We previously told you about Cupertino’s consideration of restoring the Blackberry Farm Golf Course site to natural habitat (the other option is making repairs and maintaining the golf course). This property is near the SCVAS office and adjacent to McClellan Ranch Preserve, Stevens Creek, and the Stevens Creek Corridor Trail.
Please take 3 minutes to answer this survey by July 15th, and tell the City that we want to convert the water-guzzling turf to native habitat that supports the biodiversity of our region and that provides a more inclusive space for recreation rather than an exclusive place just for paid customers.
The City will also be taking public feedback at two in-person events.
Summer Concert Series: Thursday, July 7 from 6:30 to 8 pm at Memorial Park Amphitheater
Open House at the Golf Course: Monday, July 11, 4:00–6:00 pm (group tour at 4:30 pm)
Mountain View Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan – Aims to protect wildlife and habitat at Shoreline at Mountain View. The Plan looks to protect a wide spectrum of local species by focusing specifically on California Ridgway’s Rail (Rallus obsoletus obsoletus), Black Skimmer (Rhynchops niger), White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus), and San Francisco Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas sinuosa) in addition to the Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia).
Watch a 5-minute video describing the plan and browse an annotated outline of the plan.
Then take a 5-minute survey to give your thoughts on the wildlife you like watching at Shoreline, where you like to watch them, and any additional wildlife species that are not included currently (e.g., swallows, quail, frogs, rabbits and ground squirrels, bumblebees and butterflies). In response to the question regarding recommendations, please ask to include North Bayshore parks, the Charleston Retention Basin, and the egret rookery to the scope of the plan. Ask that the plan include a detailed roadmap and funding for special protection for nesting birds on the island. When asked about priorities, prioritize the protection of wildlife habitat from human disturbance.
Mountain View Community Tree Master Plan and Biodiversity – Mountain View’s Parks and Recreation Committee will discuss the urban forest and rewilding the City through management of parks and trees on Wednesday, June 29, at 7:00 pm
Please email the City of Mountain View (Send to: prc@mountainview.gov, Subject of email: Community trees, birds and pollinators), and/or speak at the meeting (June 29 at 7:00 pm)
Please tell the Commission about the importance of planting native trees and plants, that the Community Tree Master Plan must reflect reflect the critical environmental services that trees provide (i.e., heat island mitigation, air purification, and habitat for birds and pollinators), that the Plan should include a detailed roadmap for reaching goals, and that parks should be less manicured and include native vegetation with habitat linkages along creeks and streets.