Stories

A trio of blue-eyed mountain lion cubs suspected of being orphaned in Portola Valley have been making a splash in the local news after being rescued and taken to the Oakland Zoo, serving as a reminder of the many challenges these important native wildlife face.

Midpen staff recently completed a vegetation removal project that expanded a helicopter landing zone in El Corte de Madera Creek Preserve. The project aimed to improve forest health and wildland fire resiliency while protecting a rare plant species in the area.

As the winter rains recharge groundwater, refill seasonal ponds and wetlands and provide wildlife with vital drinking water the wet weather brings about another ecological phenomenon, the proliferation of fungi.

Midpen continues to make good on our unique coastal mission, including preserving open space and agricultural lands in perpetuity. The Midpen board recently approved rangeland management plans for several recently protected coastal properties that are actively grazed by cattle.

Two new ranching tenants are joining Midpen’s Conservation Grazing Program after a competitive recruitment process.

In the fall, Midpen began removing approximately 150 eucalyptus trees on a 2.5-acre site in Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve near Lexington Reservoir, b

Over the past several months, Midpen has been working on a series of improvements to parking areas and trails in our Skyline Ridge, Russian Ridge and Pulgas Ridge open space preserves to enhance easy-access opportunities and allow more people to enjoy the

In December, Midpen is finalizing the purchase of a 35-acre property near the Lexington Reservoir that will become part of the existing El Sereno Open Space Preserve, and is critical to advancing the larger Highway 17 Wildlife and Trail Crossings project.

The rainy season is just around the corner, meaning newts will be on the move towards bodies of water to lay eggs and breed!

Though the Santa Cruz Mountains may not be known for their showy displays of fall colors, there are some wooded areas in Midpen preserves where you can catch a glimpse of some festive foliage. Here are four fall trail recommendations: