Action Alert: Protect Coyote Valley!

North Coyote Valley Conservation Area

New (Old) Threats to Coyote Valley (Yup - we need your help again…)
Over 200 species of birds have been recorded in Coyote Valley. The valley is an important bird migration stopover, a treasured open space. One day, we hope to see wetlands and agricultural landscapes regenerate the rich habitats for birds and wildlife of the valley. Yet once again, development of vast warehouses is threatening this precious region!
We need your help to email the San Jose City Council and ask them to finally protect Coyote Valley by approving the staff recommendations on Coyote Valley General Plan Amendments. The decision is expected to be considered by the San Jose City Council on November 16.

Sample Email:

Send to:


Subject: November 16th Agenda: Please Protect Coyote Valley!


Dear Mayor Liccardo and Council Members,


My name is ___ and I am a resident/community member of San Jose. Coyote Valley is a treasure to our community. It is important to keep the Valleys agricultural landscapes and open space and allow the valley to protect our heritage, our hydrology, and the 200 species of birds that have been seen there. To keep San Jose resilient and thriving, please protect Coyote Valley!


Please approve the staff recommendations on the Coyote Valley General Plan Amendments to change the land use designations in North Coyote Valley from industrial development to open space and agriculture.


Thank you,


(your name)


Thank you,

Giulianna Pendleton

Environmental Advocacy Assistant

October Conservation Corner

Cupertino Canopy by Matthew Dodder

Palo Alto Tree Protection Ordinance

The Palo Alto City Council moved forward a community-led Tree Protection Ordinance initiative, which will protect native and ordinary trees and promote planting native trees, especially oaks. This Tree Protection Ordinance is the most direct implementation opportunity for the city’s Urban Forest Master Plan. If approved next spring, it will improve biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and quality of life in Palo Alto. Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative - we will keep you informed as the new ordinance moves through the public process.

Cupertino Climate Action Plan 2.0

The commissioners at this month’s Cupertino Sustainability Commission voted unanimously to recommend Climate Action Plan update measures to the City Council. We were pleased with the robust discussion to ensure biodiversity will be a part of the actionable items, specifically when increasing tree canopy. City Council will be hearing these recommendations at a study session on November 16th and planning for an Urban Forest Management Plan could begin in the near future. This is a critical step forward in blending climate resilience and biodiversity protection!

Nyland Property in San Juan Bautista Permanently Protected for Grazing and Open Space

In 2018, SCVAS supported the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust’s request for Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation funds to support the acquisition of Nyland Ranch, near San Juan Bautista. We are pleased to report that the 540-acre ranch has been acquired and will be preserved for open space, grazing and wildlife. Nyland Ranch provides landscape level connectivity and is considered a high-level linkage priority between the Gabilans and the Santa Cruz Mountains, and includes 70 acres of fenced oak woodland and 29 acres of riparian habitats and wetlands, including freshwater ponds.

Action Alert: Calling all Palo Alto Residents and Community Members!

Townsend's Warbler by Tom Grey

Townsend's Warbler by Tom Grey

On Monday evening, the Palo Alto City Council will consider a new Tree Protection Ordinance.

Join us and speak at the Palo Alto City Council Zoom meeting this Monday 10/18 after 7:00pm (Agenda Item 13) , or email City Council, to show your support for the Tree Protection Ordinance as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee, and ask Council to ensure the ordinance achieves Goal 2 of the Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan, “Re-generated native woodland and riparian landscapes as the key ecological basis of the urban forest with focus on native species and habitat.”

The proposed ordinance would address tree protection and replacement for both private and public land, which is critical for tree canopy as well as for birds and nature. We are asking Council to include a list of acceptable replacement tree species, primarily native trees, that support biodiversity and prevent an influx of non-native trees. Visit Bay Nature to learn more about the importance of rewilding our cities and protecting our trees.

For a sample public comment, see below:

Hello Mayor DuBois and Palo Alto Council Members,

My name is Blank and I am a Palo Alto resident/community member.

Development pressures and drought conditions in the region have resulted in the loss of trees and canopy, with an associated toll on the myriad health, wellness, habitat, climate and air quality benefits that trees and canopy provide.

I support the Tree Protection Ordinance as recommended by the Policy and Services Committee, and ask Council to improve these recommendations by providing a list of acceptable replacement tree species, primarily native trees, that support biodiversity and prevent an influx of non-native trees.

This will help Palo Alto achieve Goal 2 of the Palo Alto Urban Forest Master Plan, “Re-generated native woodland and riparian landscapes as the key ecological basis of the urban forest with focus on native species and habitat”.

Over time, this mitigation framework should allow Palo Alto to lead the region in rewilding the city, to regenerate an ecologically resilient community, and to support birds, butterflies, beneficial insects, and other wildlife.

This approach should also help advance and implement the Palo Alto 2030 Comprehensive Plan (Natural Environment Element), the Urban Forest Master Plan, and the City’s Climate Action Plan.

Thank you for your consideration and for taking a step forward to protect our trees and canopy.

Additional Details:
Zoom Link to join City Council Meeting and Give Public Comment
Agenda: see Item 13

Thank you and we hope to see you there!

Conservation Corner Fall 2021

Shani Kleinhaus, Environmental Advocate
Giulianna Pendleton, Advocacy Assistant

Welcome Our New EA Assistant!

Our newest staff person, Giulianna Pendleton, joined us in May. A Los Gatos native, she has supported advocacy efforts on bird safe design measures, light pollution, native plant restoration, land use and development, and riparian setbacks.

Since graduating from Gonzaga University in Spring 2020, I have explored areas of environmental advocacy: working on a political campaign in Alaska, volunteering with climate change and sustainability focused groups, and volunteering in my own town of Los Gatos. I realized I wanted to focus my time and energy ensuring rights for nature and enhancing environmental protections for wildlife. I feel so lucky to work with SCVAS as the Environmental Advocacy Assistant. Through Shani’s guidance and mentorship, I am learning how to research and understand land use and development plans, advocate for birds and their habitat, and communicate our SCVAS positions to various audiences. Giulianna

Light & Bird Safety

Artificial light at night attracts migratory birds, diverting them away from healthy habitats and migration routes to inhospitable urban areas where food is scarce, and collision risks are high. We are engaged with the Los Gatos General Plan Update, the San Jose Parks and Recreation Services, the Santa Clara County Library District, private developers, and others.

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One major focus has been the proposed Breeze of Innovation light tower in Arena Green Park, San Jose. As an SCVAS member, you have most likely seen our alerts and action updates for this 200-foot tall light tower to be placed in a sensitive riparian corridor.

This has been a major advocacy learning opportunity for me. I have been able to help with campaign website content development, help develop an online petition, give presentations to local groups, and speak at public meetings. We are committed to heightening our advocacy efforts to save this unique riparian habitat and community gathering place in San Jose. Giulianna

Please check out nolighttower.org, the new campaign website, and sign the petition to say “No Thanks” to this preposterous “gift” of light pollution.

Advocating for dark sky initiatives and bird safe design in my hometown of Los Gatos brings with it an emotional commitment to protecting the natural area and wildlife that I hope to still exist in the next ten, twenty, thirty years. I have been able to connect with Council members, review and draft policy regarding the General Plan update, and engage with local advocacy groups. I look forward to continuing our advocacy efforts as the General Plan advances to the Planning Commission and Town Council this fall. Giulianna

Quarries in Cupertino

The Lehigh Quarry and Cement Plant (under various names and ownerships) has been mining Permanente Ridge for decades. In the process, Lehigh accumulated multiple citations for polluting the water of Permanente Creek with heavy metals. Dust and truck traffic continue to plague Cupertino residents. Visitor experience at Rancho San Antonio Preserve has been degraded. The strongest restriction that is currently imposed on the Lehigh Quarry is the County’s 1972 Ridgeline Protection Easement to the District. This is an important tool for protecting the Permanente ridgeline, this biodiversity hotspot, and Rancho San Antonio.

In 2019, Lehigh Quarry applied to the County for permission to allow mining of additional limestone, modify the easement agreement, and haul unprocessed aggregate to the adjacent Stevens Creek Quarry. With other groups and residents, we successfully advocated with the County to advance Supervisors’ Joe Simitian and Otto Lee memo that reinforced the Ridgeline Protection Easement by initiating discussions with the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District regarding joint enforcement responsibility. In addition, we are supportive of the County recommendation to deny the corporation’s request to allow processing of Lehigh-mined aggregate at Stevens Creek Quarry. Hopefully our advocacy efforts will be successful and the Santa Clara County Planning Commission will affirm the staff recommendation to deny the zoning interpretation application.

Update 8/23/21: On August 17th, the County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to join in creative partnership with Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District to initiate joint enforcement responsibility for the Ridgeline Protection Easement. This is a big success for open space protection!

Update 8/30/21: On August 26th, the County Planning Commission voted unanimously to deny the corporation’s request to allow processing of Lehigh-mined aggregate at Stevens Creek Quarry, affirming the staff recommendation.

Tideline Ferry Protest

Tideline Marine Group, a private commercial ferry operator, filed an application with the California Utilities Commission seeking approval for unlimited Uber-like boat service throughout the Bay and its navigable rivers and tributaries. With the Sierra Club and the Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, SCVAS filed a formal protest arguing that this new service can have impacts on the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge and on wetlands and estuaries all around the Bay. We asked for an Environmental Impact Report prior to approval of the project.

Protections for Birds & Habitat

In June, the National Audubon Society released Natural Climate Solutions Report: Maintaining and Restoring Natural Habitats to Help Mitigate Climate Change. This report highlights “what’s good for birds is also good for climate change mitigation.” The report also found that “urban and suburban areas present opportunities to restore natural ecosystems and create carbon sinks, while also protecting biodiversity, increasing environmental equity, and delivering health and quality of life benefits for communities.” This is critical for our work, where much of our advocacy is within urban spaces.

In the City of Campbell, the Santa Clara County Library District is in the process of constructing a “government office and facility” adjacent to Los Gatos Creek County Park (also known as Oka Ponds). We engaged with the Library District to offer recommendations for bird safety measures, plantings of native species, and the development of environmental education programs. We are excited to report that the Santa Clara County Library District took our recommendations into consideration and are including 100% native plants in their landscaping designs, along with our other recommendations for lighting and bird safety.

The City of Cupertino is considering the future of the Blackberry Farm Golf Course. Options included expansion of the golf course and intensifying use of the area, minor repairs to the existing golf course, and returning the golf course to natural habitat. We advocated for the native habitat option, and did not oppose minimal repairs. In July, the City Council approved the preparation of a feasibility study for 1) restoring the golf course to nature, and 2) conducting only minimal repairs to the golf course. Let's root for restoring Blackberry Farm to its natural habitat.

Free Virtual Class with Tours

The Sierra Club Bay Advocacy Program is offering a free class: 10 virtual classes and 3 tours will take place September through November 2021 to review the history of SF Bay, Bay wildlife and habitats, and nature-based adaptation for sea level rise. Experienced environmental activists, elected officials and legislators will discuss how to make positive change. Space is limited. For information, contact Susan DesJardin (408) 480–6057 or Gita Dev (415) 722–3355. •

Interested in more? Email advocate@scvas.org