Midpen's over 70,000 acres of open space include a wide variety of landscapes, from bay wetlands to redwood forests and coastal grasslands. These ecosystems host an incredible diversity of life, making our region one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. Midpen's preserves and science-based conservation work protect 288 special status species, including 23 threatened or endangered species.
As a land manager, Midpen balances all the parts of our mission with the overall goal of natural resource protection. Public lands held by Midpen are not “parks;” they are “preserves,”—this means that our open space land is preserved in its natural state or as agricultural greenspace and supports lower-intensity, ecologically-sensitive recreation opportunities and access. Indeed, some areas of sensitive habitat are closed to public access.
Discover the different plants, animals, fungi and habitats that exist in and around Midpen open space land on our nature page or through the Midpen Biodiversity Index on iNaturalist.
Midpen follows a rigorous set of best management practices, informed by peer-reviewed literature, to protect natural resources and wildlife during construction, maintenance and recreation activities. These processes help us balance caring for the land while continuing to provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment. Midpen’s Resource Management Policies meet and often exceed state and federal guidelines and can be found below.
Related Projects & Stories
From single hands-on restoration projects to enhancing trail safety and visitor experience along the trails to long-term commitments in interpretive and education program delivery, there’s a role for everyone in caring for our local landscapes.