Peninsula Open Space Trust - Annual Report 2018

ANNUAL REPO RT Peninsula Open Space Trust 2018

YOUR SUPPORT MEANS IMPACT Reflecting on the past fiscal year, I’m thrilled with our organizational evolution and all of the accomplishments which would not have happened without you, our donors. Your support allows us to work across multiple projects and to mobilize the resources of many partners to make an increasingly positive impact on our region.

Last year, our work took on new complexities with a focus on five core areas of impact: farmland, wildlife linkages, public access, redwoods and Coyote Valley. In each program, POST uses a science-based conservation approach to deliver environmental, economic and social benefits and outcomes.

In addition to acquisitions like Barrett Canyon and Tunitas Creek Beach, our 2018 fiscal year was full of important projects. These include partnering with a timber company to restore a forest’s balance, an in-depth analysis of bobcat movement across Coyote Valley, housing and water improvements to enable thriving farms, expanding our community of POST supporters to over 50,000 members and working to transfer properties into the long-term care

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of our public agency partners for everyone in our region to access and enjoy.

Long-term protection and land projects like these are expensive, and we were excited when Californians passed Proposition 68 to fund California’s parks, natural resources, climate adaptation, water quality and more.

This annual report highlights the most impactful accomplishments of the last year, and I am proud and deeply grateful to have the support of all of our donors and community members as I look towards the opportunities of the year ahead.

Walter T. Moore POST President

P.S. Our online version at openspacetrust.org/annual-report includes even more stories, insights from our board and a short survey—we’d love to know what you think.

©Teddy Miller 2018 / facing page: top left ©Evan Winslow Smith 2015, top right ©Jordan Plotsky 2016, bottom left ©Teddy Miller 2017, bottom right ©Teddy Miller 2016

BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS POST’s organizational achievements in the past year are a testament to the forward-thinking approach we take with everything we do.

Between July 1, 2017 and June 30, 2018:

Over 3,800 attendees enjoyed POST events, from hikes and bike rides to film screenings and book signings.

Over 1,600 new donors contributed—our largest year over year growth ever.

We exceeded

76,000 total acres protected.

Our community of supporters grew to

over 50,000 members, more than doubling in one year.

We initiated

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion plans across all of our work.

New database and digital marketing technologies were implemented so we can take our communications with you to the next level.

L A N D C O N S E R V AT I O N H I G H L I G H T S

506 ACRES

PROTECTED THIS YEAR Our holistic and strategic approach to conservation ensures that we are making a positive impact with every project.

PUBLIC ACCESS • Acquired 58 acres at Tunitas Creek Beach and began the work with San Mateo County Parks to open it as a public park • Protected a 26-acre coastal bluff at Wavecrest in partnership with the Coastside Land Trust, closing a key gap in the California Coastal Trail • Completed the Audrey Edna Alpine Cabin at Alpine Ranch, land protected through the Heart of the Redwoods Campaign

©William K. Matthias 2011

REDWOODS • Conducted our first restoration forestry treatment in Deadman Gulch at San Vicente Redwoods • Celebrated groundbreaking for public access at Bear Creek Redwoods, a preserve protected in large part by POST back in 1999! In spring of 2019, South Bay residents will be able to enjoy these remarkable redwoods close to home.

WILDLIFE LINKAGES • Protected 326 acres in Barrett Canyon which, in tandem with 154 acres purchased by Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, connects 31,000 acres of open space and forms an important landscape linkage • Initiated a multi-year wildlife connectivity study in the southern Santa Cruz Mountains with numerous partners • Reconnected San Vicente Creek with its floodplain to restore fish habitat at San Vicente Redwoods

FARMLAND • Protected Half Moon Bay’s historic Andreotti Family Farm • Completed one farmworker housing project and worked on three more to ensure the longevity of farming operations on the coast • Began work on two reservoirs to support sustainable water use and protect fish and other wildlife during dry months

COYOTE VALLEY • Acquired 63 acres in mid-Coyote Valley along Fisher Creek, a stepping stone for wildlife as it moves across the valley • Continued our 24-month bobcat study to help inform our strategy in Coyote Valley • In partnership with Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, released the Coyote Valley Landscape Linkage Report

Read more about our conservation programs at openspacetrust.org/what-we-do.

A N AT O M Y O F A P O S T P R O J E C T

TUNITAS CREEK BEACH POST plays a pivotal role coordinating a variety of resources to complete projects. Here, we take the Tunitas Creek Beach project and break it down for you. Together, we are on our way to building a beautiful new park!

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residents sound the alarm TLC locals reaches out to San Mateo County (SMC) about massive misuse of the beach.

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SMC takes action

SMC officials vote

POST works it out

SMC Supervisor Don Horsley reaches out to POST and others to solve the problem.

Officials put in place public safety measures for beachgoers and begin to enforce them.

POST works privately and confidentially with the landowner to negotiate and execute a conservation-focused sale in 2017.

How do we Fund a project like this?

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Generous donors step in POST begins a $10 million fundraising campaign with support from individuals and foundations like the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the California State Coastal Conservancy.

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Long-term plans made SMC commits staff resources and funding for ongoing management and the acquisition.

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The State says yes!

On Our Way

The State of California, SMC and POST work with Senator Hill and Assembly Members Berman and Mullin to secure state funds.

POST and SMC Parks are working to define, build and open the site as a stunning park with public amenities and safe access for all.

THANK YOU

TO OUR DONORS Without the unwavering generosity of donors like you, it would not be possible for us to continue our work to ensure that the future of our region is complete with iconic forests, luscious open spaces, fertile farmland and a vibrant, resilient landscape that supports all of the local species that, along with us, call this place home. Thank you.

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I like the model where POST identifies the land based on their scientific research, raises the money, purchases the land and then hands that land over to another community organization… it’s an efficient model.

planning for a park SMC Parks takes on the job of managing the property and planning for a new county park. They also create safe access to patrol the beach.

— Judy Barnes

We’ve been blessed to have all of this beautiful open space, water and hiking trails. And being able to support that feels like the right thing to do, so that when Max is older, he can still benefit from all these things.

The Tunitas Creek Beach Team

— Max, Raziel and Hava Ungar

It’s really important that we recognize that open spaces play a critical part of this economy—a balance to the hectic everyday lives that we have.

— Jeff Scroggin

©Jody Peterman 2018

Visit openspacetrust.org/annual-report to watch videos about what inspired Judy, Jeff and the Ungar family to support POST’s work.

CREATE YOUR LEGACY A gift for POST in your will, trust or other plans will ensure our local open spaces, farms and parkland are protected for years to come.

To join our Open Space Legacy Society with a legacy gift of any size: CONTACT

Jeanine Crider jcrider@openspacetrust.org (650) 854-7696 x312

Visit openspacetrust.org/ways-to-give to learn about other ways you can support POST. POST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and our taxpayer identification number is 94-2392007. ©Teddy Miller 2016

PENINSULA OPEN SPACE TRUST 222 HIGH STREET PALO ALTO, CA 94301 (650) 854-7696 OPENSPACETRUST.ORG

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID BURLINGAME, CA PERMIT NO. 63