In the 1990s, as development pressure threatened the Coastside’s scenic beauty, rural character and agricultural heritage, Coastsiders expressed their support for extending the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coastside. In 2004, the coast to ridgeline, from Montara to the San Mateo Santa Cruz county line, officially became Midpen’s Coastside Protection Area. Our Coastside Protection Area Service Plan, which we spent more than seven years developing in collaboration with Coastside residents and agricultural community, guides our work in the region.
Since our boundaries expanded to include the San Mateo County Coast in 2004, Midpen has protected more than 12,600 acres of natural and agricultural lands that contribute to the area’s rural identity, natural beauty and quality of life.
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Measure AA
To date, more than $16 million in Measure AA funding has been invested in Coastside open space and agricultural preservation, restoration and public access projects. These include:
- Funding habitat restoration, watershed protection and conservation grazing projects at Purisima Creek Redwoods, La Honda Creek and Miramontes Ridge preserves.
- Supporting local ranching and farming families in viable agriculture including approximately 9,000 acres in conservation grazing (6,500 of which is accessible to cattle), 12 acres of row crops and 55 acres of dry-farmed land.
- Offering environmental education programs at local schools.
- Opening La Honda Creek Preserve to public access in 2018, and improving public access at Purisima Creek Redwoods.
Current and Future Projects
- Planning the Purisima-to-the-Sea Trail to connect Skyline Boulevard to Cowell Ranch State Beach.
- Removing abandoned oil facilities at the newly purchased Purisima Creek Uplands property
- Expanding the trail system at La Honda Creek Preserve to provide new loop opportunities
- Restoring Mindego Pond in Russian Ridge Preserve to support sensitive aquatic wildlife and grazing livestock at Mindego Ranch.
Project Updates and Related Stories
Measure AA Funding
