Created in 1993 by the California State Legislature, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture, and connects people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas, and working farms and ranches. Its jurisdiction includes the cities of Campbell, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, San Jose, and Santa Clara and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County.
Coyote Valley is located at the southern edge of San Jose and approximately seven miles long and two miles wide. In addition to its scenic beauty, rich biodiversity, prime farmland, and unique water sources, Coyote Valley is one of a few areas on the Santa Clara Valley floor that provides habitat connection between the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range. It has been described as a “last chance landscape” to connect the 1.13 million acres of core habitat in the surrounding mountain ranges and safeguard the region’s biodiversity. Working under SWCA Environmental Consultants’ project contract, Civic Edge was brought on to lead the development and implementation of robust community engagement throughout the multi-year Coyote Valley Conservation Areas Master Plan process that will guide the future use and management of the conserved lands. This community-based planning process is a significant opportunity to create a regional destination and public asset focused on interconnection, inclusion, and resilience, while designing with nature and optimizing nature as a climate change solution.