About Midpen
The Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) is an independent special district that helps plants, animals and people thrive throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region by preserving a greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres of publicly-protected open space. These diverse and scenic landscapes, from bay wetlands to redwood forests and coastal grasslands, host an incredible diversity of life, making our region one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
Midpen manages and operates 27 open space preserves, 25 of which include spaces open daily to the public, free of charge. Within these public areas, Midpen provides over 250 miles of hiking, biking, equestrian and mixed-use trails utilized by 2.5 million visitors each year. Our programming connects people to nature through enriched experiences including environmental interpretation, docent-led activities and volunteer opportunities.
Midpen actively manages land and waterways to restore their health and function, helping our local ecosystem become more resilient in a time of climate change. By caring for the land, the land in turn takes care of us, providing tangible and intangible benefits like clean air and water, flood protection and the opportunity for restorative experiences in nature.
Midpen was created in 1972 through Santa Clara County’s Measure R “Room to Breathe” initiative. In 1976, local residents voted to expand Midpen’s boundary into southern San Mateo County, and to a small portion of Santa Cruz County in 1992. In 2004, the Coastside Protection Area, an extension of District boundaries to the Pacific Ocean in San Mateo County, was established. Find a complete summary of our history here.
In 2014, Midpen published a 40-year Vision Plan for the future of open space, created through a comprehensive community engagement process and a thorough resource assessment. The plan consists of 54 priority action portfolios focused on land protection, habitat restoration and low-intensity recreation. Following approval of the vision plan, in June 2014 voters passed Measure AA, a 30-year, $300 million general obligation bond to fund the top 25 vision plan priority action portfolios.
Midpen is governed by a seven-member publicly elected board of directors. Board members serve a four-year term and represent a geographic ward of approximately equal populations. The staff includes over 200 employees in 13 departments. Midpen is also supported by the work of nearly 1,000 Midpen and partner volunteers who contribute about 20,000 hours annually to preserving and protecting open space lands.
Midpen Missions
Midpen mission: To acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
On the Coast, Midpen has an expanded mission: To acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space land and agricultural land of regional significance, protect and restore the natural environment, preserve rural character, encourage viable agricultural use of land resources, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.
Midpen by the Numbers
27 preserves, 25 open to the public
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*Not open to the public
70,000+ acres of open space
Including 15,000+ acres of conservation grazing
250+ miles of public trails
Including ADA/Easy Access trails, dog-friendly trails, equestrian-use trails, biking trails and regional trail network sections
2.5 million visitors each year
300+ volunteer docent-led programs each year
Projects & Programs
Click the links below to find details about Midpen’s ongoing and past projects.
Events & Activities
Click the link below to view upcoming events and activities, including docent-led activities, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
The Midpen board of directors holds regular meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at the Midpen Administrative Office, 5050 El Camino Real, Los Altos, CA. Individuals are also able to attend via Zoom; the link can be found under “Meeting details”. Additional special public hearings and neighborhood meetings are held periodically on specific issues.
Click the link below to find Midpen's public meetings schedule, agendas, minutes and reports for this year.
Reports & Press Releases
Click the link below to find Midpen’s published reports, including our annual accomplishments reports and most recent strategic plan.
Click the link below to read Midpen’s press releases.
Press Release Distribution
To request to be added to Midpen's press release distribution list, message Midpen Public Affairs Specialist Ryan McCauley at rmccauley@openspace.org or call 650-772-3644.
Photo Gallery
The ownership and copyright status of these images may vary. Please check an image’s linked PhotoShelter page for specific information on location, ownership and copyright before downloading.
Contact Information
For further information, please direct your questions to Midpen Public Affairs Specialist Ryan McCauley at rmccauley@openspace.org or 650-772-3644.