Partner Spotlight: Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District and Grassroots Ecology

Since 2015, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) and Grassroots Ecology have partnered to provide stewardship and volunteer engagement to expand public awareness, involvement and support of natural resource management activities at Midpen’s 26 open space preserves.  

Their four-year cooperative agreement will allow Grassroots Ecology to continue existing restoration efforts through service-learning events at the Hawthorns area of Windy Hill and Russian Ridge preserves, and to expand similar efforts at other Midpen preserves in Santa Clara County using grant funding from Valley Water. At these sites, staff and volunteers are managing infestations of yellow starthistle( Centaurea solstitialis) and French broom( Genista monspessulana). Midpen staff, with input from Grassroots Ecology, has identified a third new restoration site at Bear Creek Redwoods Preserve, where they will be clearing out French broom( Genista monspessulana), teasel ( Dipsacus fullonum), and Harding grass ( Phalaris aquatica), as well as collecting native plant seeds. They are also investigating a possible project location for a native pollinator demonstration garden at Rancho San Antonio Preserve. 

Volunteer with Midpen or Grassroots to help with restoration efforts, as a part of the outdoor education team, and more! There are many volunteer opportunities, including youth engagement and corporate team-building.