OSA is working to protect sensitive lands, preserve natural communities, and manage open space in ways that promote

agriculture and compatible recreation.

OSA OUTLOOK
Fall 2007 Vol. 1 No. 3

INSIDE
1 OSA and the Bay Area Ridge Trail build on a common vision 2 Mountain lions on Rancho Caada del Oro 3 OSA presents the Aldo Leopold Education Program 3 Additional programs available for teachers, scout troops, youth groups and others

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority 6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95119

Recent mountain lion sightings on Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve offer us a reminder that open space lands are the home territory of many species. As visitors, we need to be aware of our surroundings and follow guidelines for avoiding human-wildlife encounters.

photo by Lark Burkhart

Mercedes meets a common king snake at Discovering Nature Summer Day Camp. The week-long camp, held at Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve, gave children and their grandparents an opportunity to spend mornings in nature learning about the world around them.

LIONS on Our Lands

Theyre called mountain lions and cougars, pumas, panthers or catamounts but they can live in many different habitats. Theyve been seen in deserts and coastal forests, and from sea level to an elevation of 10,000 feet. In fact, nearly 80,000 square miles of California, roughly half the state, is considered prime mountain lion habitat.

If you see a mountain lion on OSA property

During regular business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday) please call our ofce at 408.224.7476 so we can record some information about your sighting. If you see a lion in the evening or on a weekend, please call the ofce number and leave your name and contact information. We will return your call as soon as possible.

Rancho Caada del Oro Open Space Preserve is part of that range. Lions are generally secretive and solitary. Theyre most active at night when they hunt their prey, primarily deer. For this reason sightings are rare, but they do occur. Drier conditions are drawing wildlife more into the open as they search for water, and where deer are on the move lions may follow behind.

How much risk is there?

Interactions with humans are infrequent but often make the news, creating an exaggerated sense of danger. There is actually a far greater risk, according to the California Department of Fish & Game, of being struck by lightning than attacked by a cougar. Because mountain lions were granted special protected mammal status within the state in 1990, its important for all of us who visit open space to act in ways that minimize the chance of human-lion encounters. This is for our protection and for theirs.

Making smart choices

Since research has found that solitary hikers are three times more likely to encounter a lion, hiking in groups is a reasonable precaution. Also, lions seem to be drawn to small children, so its important to keep them in reach at all times. If you do see a lion, give it room. Dont approach. Most mountain lions will try to avoid a confrontation if theres a way to escape. Try to appear large and menacing by raising your arms, opening your jacket or holding a pack or walking stick over your head. Pick up and hold children. This image, taken by a mounted surveillance camera on Rancho Caada Dont run. Dont crouch del Oro Open Space Preserve, captured a mountain lion strolling down the or bend over. Speak Bald Peaks Trail just before 6 a.m. on July 1. in a loud, rm voice. If the lion approaches, ght back. Throw rocks or sticks. People have effectively defended themselves or family members in the past with whatever they could grab.

Santa Clara County Open Space Authority

photo by Lark Burkhart

6830 Via del Oro, Ste 200 San Jose, CA 95119 tel 408.224.7476 fax 408.224.7548

www.openspaceauthority.org

The objective is to teach students to see the land, to understand what they see, and enjoy what they understand Aldo Leopold

An Ethical Relationship to the Land

OSAs interpretive coordinator Teri Rogoway has taken on the role of state coordinator for the Aldo Leopold Education Project. Leopold taught that the earth is a community we belong to, not a commodity we own. Through workshops that provide hands-on nature experiences Teri will train educators and conservationists to share Leopolds message with others. The role of ethical land steward is one all of us can play. Teri will begin offering workshops in November. The sessions, which run for a total of from four to eight hours, can be adapted to accommodate in-service, weekend, or afterschool sessions for teachers. The program includes nature walks, activities, and lessons based on Aldo Leopolds A Sand County Almanac. A materials fee of $35 per person covers the cost of materials for creating personal Leopold-based lessons. This project can be adapted to an instructors curriculum and passed on to students. It is a gentle way to introduce students to wildlife conservation. Helping children relate to the land and feel a sense of belonging and stewardship is vital for the future. Educators are beginning to realize that many urban and suburban children have almost no connection to the natural world. The Aldo Leopold Education Project is a program of Pheasants Forever, a national organization that protects wildlife by restoring habitat.

photo by David Tharp

Fall Programs
In addition to Aldo Leopold training Teri has interpretive programs on a variety of subjects available. Past programs have included the early settlers of San Jose, Ohlone Indians, nature walks, reptile programs, how water moves across the earth, geology, animal senses and bugs. She enjoys researching new topics and is up to any challenge. Programs for the classroom; for scouts, youth groups and hiking clubs; eld trips to OSA lands; and guided walks are some of the possibilities. Contact Teri at 408.224.7476 or trogoway@openspaceauthority.org.

photo by David Tharp

OSA

&

BART

The goals of the Open Space Authority and the Bay Area Ridge Trail intersect in the hills and high country of Santa Clara County. Its here that the land offers spectacular views and provides key habitat for plants and wildlife. Just as a matrix of connected public lands makes sense for the movement of animals, a regional trail system is a good idea for humans. Being able to hike (or bike or ride a horse) through ridge line habitats anywhere in the Bay Area is a unique way to understand the astonishing diversity of the region. Buying property along the proposed ridge trail alignment is a conservation priority for OSA. The Boccardo Trail in the foothills east of San Jose is an established link. Lands acquired this year south of Coyote LakeHarvey Bear County Park offer another potential connection. And a recent small purchase in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains ties together two large parcels of protected land and connects two portions of the BART. When completed, the Bay Area Ridge Trail will cover more than 500 miles. Already over 300 miles of the trail have been dedicated through the coordination of the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and the participation of parks departments, open space agencies, volunteers and voters who approved funding for regional trail development.

The Boccardo Trail, OSAs first link in the Bay Area Ridge Trail.
Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Bay Area Ridge Trail Proposed Alignment Uvas Canyon County Park Open Space Authority Uvas

Open Space Authority Purchase

Another link in the trail chain was added with the recent purchase of a 20-acre parcel adjacent to other OSA property and public lands in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains.

The purchase this year of the Doan and Nielsen ranches in South County offers the potential for additional Bay Area Ridge Trail connections.

photos by Lark Burkhart