August Conservation Corner

Conservation Corner

Alviso Hotel consumes open space and habitat

When the Topgolf project was approved a few years ago, we participated in the Environmental Review process and commented on the loss of open space and habitat. The environmental review documents for that project expressed the intent to leave 6 acres of land undeveloped, and thus rejected the need for mitigation. Now, a new project - Alviso hotel - proposes to develop those same acres. This constitutes segmentation of CEQA review (segmenting a large project to small ones to avoid analyzing and mitigating the full impact) that is not permitted by law. The CEQA documents for the new hotel also dismissed concerns for a plethora of avian species, including burrowing owls. SCVAS submitted three letters on this project to the City of San Jose and appealed the Director Hearing’s decision. We hope the project will fully compensate for the loss of open space and habitat.


San Jose Light Tower stalled

The San Jose Light Tower (AKA Silicon Valley Urban Confluence Breeze of Innovation) seems to have stalled. Efforts by the promoters to increase interest in this environmentally-obtuse project at the confluence of the Guadalupe River and Los Gatos Creek in downtown San Jose failed to capture the public’s heart and imagination, and funding seems far from the needed $150+ millions. A recent report by a technical consultant confirms our prediction that the project as proposed is not feasible in this location, and recommends that the proponents purchase land for the project instead of using public land. Recently, the proponents asked the City of San Jose to study placing this project in Cesar Chavez Plaza. It is becoming very clear that they will not be able to raise over $150,000,000 to construct this vanity project. As we continue to follow the turns and tribulation of this project, we continue to hope that the proponents will reconsider this proclaimed “gift” that takes more than it gives the San Jose community.

Virtual Audubon Advocacy Day 2022

Michael Hawk

Raise your voice for birds and communities at California Virtual Audubon Advocacy Day 2022!

Come support the state bill that SCVAS is co-sponsoring on Wednesday, August 3, 2022.

Join our chapter and chapters across California on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, to speak with your state legislators to save birds and increase access to nature. You and fellow members in your district will meet as a group with your legislators via Zoom. It’s easy and makes a big difference!

This year, Audubon California is supporting three bills for which we will be advocating. Even more excitingly, our very own chapter co-sponsored one of them, Light Pollution Control (AB2382)! Many of you have been helping us implement bird-safe building design principles and lighting controls to protect birds and insects at night throughout Santa Clara County, so let's share our successes with the rest of the state. This bill that we are co-sponsoring will require all buildings owned by the State to implement measures to reduce light pollution. The other two bills are Equitable Outdoor Access Act (AB30) and California Conservation Ranching Incentive Program (SB977). Learn more about these bills here.

Let’s show our state legislators that SCVAS members care about protecting birds and the night sky. It is not too late to register for the event here.

Learn more about Virtual Audubon Advocacy Day 2022 here.

July Conservation Corner

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.

Help Rewild Mountain View

Tom Grey

Help protect wildlife at Shoreline Park, and rewild a city

Dear Friend,

In its Strategic Roadmap Action Plan for Fiscal Years 2021-22 and 2022-23, the City of Mountain View leads the region in including “Protect and enhance local ecosystems and biodiversity through rewilding and other measures” in the Sustainability & Climate Resiliency Strategic Priorities. Rewilding and protecting ecosystems in a city takes dedication and attention, and we applaud the City of Mountain View for prioritizing nature and biodiversity.

What is happening:

Mountain View is starting two planning efforts to protect biodiversity and rewild our landscape.

  • The first is the Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan (SWMP) that aims to protect wildlife and habitat at Shoreline Park. Adding to the burrowing owls four representative species (Black Skimmer, Ridgway's Rail, Common Yellowthroat, White-tailed kite), the plan looks to protect a wide spectrum of local species.

  • The second effort considers the community forest, and we look forward to rewilding the City through the management of parks and the Community Forest.

What can you do?

There are opportunities to support these efforts, and the City wants to hear from all of us. Here is how you can help:

  • Shoreline Wildlife Management Plan: Respond to a survey by June 30th (5 minutes of your time) Please tell the city:

    • About the species you like watching at Shoreline (name species or groups of birds, butterflies, rabbits, ground squirrels etc.)

    • Where you like to watch them (the egret and heron rookery on shorebird way? the island in the lake? Along Permanente Creek? The grasslands? swallow nests on buildings?)

    • Would you like to include additional wildlife species that are not included now (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. In addition, as for special protection for nesting birds on the island. Ask that the plan include a detailed roadmap and funding

    • Where priorities are offered, please prioritize the protection of wildlife habitat from human disturbance

    • Please consider volunteering with the City of Mountain View.

  • Parks and Recreation Commission Discussion of the Community Tree Master Plan and Biodiversity on June 29
    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 (7PM, City Hall, 500 Castro St. Mountain View, CA).

Say a little about who you are and why you care, and:

    • Tell the city that planting trees is a key tool that the city controls and should use to build the livable, green, sustainable, and climate resilient city its residents want and to support biodiversity in Mountain View.

    • The community tree master plan must reflect the critical environmental services that trees provide: heat island mitigation, air purification, and habitat for birds and pollinators.

    • The plan should include a detailed roadmap for reaching quantifiable goals.

    • Ask for all parks in the city to be transitioned to planting California native vegetation, with habitat linkages where feasible along creeks and streets, to build a resilient urban ecology and rewild the City. Parks should bring nature home, with less manicured spaces and more birds and butterflies.

    • Ask for maintaining parks and trees in an ecologically friendly way. There are (almost) no square plants in nature!


Thank you,