Programs -The Santa Clara Open Space Authority

The Santa Clara Valley region is rich in beautiful natural landscapes and a great diversity of wildlife, plants, and habitats. Our region is also fortunate to be rich in human diversity - including culture, language, interests, and abilities, among many others.

increasing open space access

The Authority serves over 1.4 million residents in the cities of Campbell, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, San Jose, and Santa Clara and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. We embrace the diversity of this region and strive to provide access to nature for everyone in our jurisdiction. We recognize the significant disparities in our region with to wealth distribution, environment burdens, linguistic isolation, and access to open spaces.

Through initiatives such as Understanding Our Community, the Urban Grant Programs, environmental education programs, and through extensive community engagement, we work to increase access to natural open spaces by removing barriers to open space access wherever we can, for the benefit of all our communities.

Young girl in pink shirt sitting on back of playground cow sculpture with mother standing next to her holding her on

Young girl in pink shirt sitting on back of playground cow sculpture with mother standing next to her holding her on

Understanding our Community

To better understand the residents and communities we serve and their unique needs, the Authority conducted a community assessment that provides a detailed picture of our jurisdiction. The Understanding Our Community report identifies barriers that prevent some residents from going outdoors to enjoy nature and receive its many health benefits. The Authority hopes the report’s findings will provide insight and spark inspiration to address some of the region's most challenging barriers to increasing equitable access to the outdoors.

Learn more

Investing in Nature

Group of family hikers at Sierra Vista overlooking cityscape below
The Open Space Authority works to preserve our region’s natural heritage, increase public access, protect water supplies, and continue to provide access to nature in the urban core. Learn more about our Investing in Nature goals and priorities.

Healthy Community

Group of dancers doing choreography at Coyote Valley Family Harvest Feast
Nature keeps us healthy. Learn how the Authority supports a healthy community for the residents of Santa Clara Valley.

Investing in Nature

The Understanding Our Community report informs the Authority's implementation of its Urban Grant Programs that invest in urban projects and neighborhoods that will have the greatest impact in providing access to nature.

Environmental Education

Two children sitting on ground grinding acorns with stone grinding rock

Learn more about our educational programming and materials that helps connect local students and children with nature.