Published August 7, 2025
As the sun filtered through the overhead oaks, a group of 30 young adults joined Midpen staff in the Cathedral Oaks area of Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve.
At Midpen, we believe the future of conservation is with today's youth, so we were incredibly excited to host this talented group. This partnership is all about giving the next generation of environmental leaders a firsthand look at the important work we do to protect our natural spaces.
The Cathedral Oaks area is a perfect example of this work. It was once overrun with non-native, fire-prone eucalyptus trees, but we're in the process of restoring it into a diverse and resilient native oak woodland. It’s a great, real-life look at the challenges and rewards of ecological restoration as we face a changing climate.
The students got a chance to hear from Midpen staff, about their work and how it contributes to the overall mission of the agency. Our forest ecologist discussed how to maintain the health of our local ecosystems, a ranger presented on what it takes to keep our preserves safe. They heard from a field resource specialist on caring for the land and met one of Midpen’s volunteer coordinators who spoke about the huge role the community plays. Each staff member shared their own unique career path, showing the different roles available in the conservation field.
We’re so grateful for the energy and enthusiasm the Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action cohort brought to Cathedral Oaks. We hope this experience helps spark a lifelong passion for protecting the environment. With these young leaders on the case, the future of our open spaces is definitely in bright hands!