MIDPENINSULA REGIONAL OPEN SPACE DISTRICT
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Mission Statement
Midpen's mission is 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 San Mateo Coast, Midpen has an expanded mission: to acquire and preserve in perpetuity open space 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.
About This Cause
Midpen's focus is on helping plants, animals and people thrive by preserving a connected greenbelt of more than 70,000 acres throughout the greater Santa Cruz Mountains region. Preserve and Protect: One of the most recognizable features of the Bay Area landscape is the dark green spine of the Santa Cruz Mountains, connecting the San Francisco Peninsula to the San Mateo County Coastside and the South Bay. More than 70,000 acres of this land is now your land, forever preserved as public open space to fulfill the grassroots community vision that created Midpen as an independent, single-purpose special district. We work with state and local governments and nonprofit community partners to build a regional greenbelt for the greater good, by purchasing or acquiring interest in lands of strategic significance, primarily seeking lands that connect with other protected open space, park or watershed lands to create wildlife corridors and regional trail linkages. Midpen preserves are located on lands that have been cared for by indigenous people for many thousands of years. Within the District’s jurisdictional boundary, there are 10 state-recognized tribes (as identified by the Native American Heritage Commission) that represent groups of individuals, families, or many hundreds of people in a tribal government. Additionally, there are descendants who are not associated with a state-recognized tribe. Read more about their history and our work with descendants here. In the 1990s, as development pressure threatened the Coastside’s scenic beauty, rural character and agricultural heritage, Coastsiders expressed their support for extending District boundaries to include the San Mateo County Coastside. In 2004, the coast to ridgeline, from Montara to the San Mateo-Santa Cruz county line, officially became Midpen’s Coastside Protection Area. Care for: Preserving land is no longer enough. After decades of intensive human use, climate change, drought and the increased risk of wildland fire make active management critical to protect the habitat values of our public lands. As a land manager, Midpen balances all the parts of our mission with the overall goal of natural resource protection. Public lands held by Midpen are not “parks;” they are “preserves,” and indeed some areas of sensitive habitat are closed to public access. The habitats we manage are complex and changing ecosystems that serve a range of purposes. Educate: Midpen offers a variety of opportunities to connect people to open space. Learning about local places, plants and animals can help us appreciate the importance of these landscapes and our role in keeping them healthy. Spending time outdoors with your children is a great way to enjoy discoveries of nature. Many of our preserves offer easy to moderate hikes and activities that are well suited to children of varying ages, enthusiasm and energy levels. Enjoy: To many of us, open space means recreation and, indeed, Midpen preserves feature 250 miles of trails to explore on foot. More than half are multiuse trails, also open to bicycles and horseback riding. From an easy stroll around an inviting pond to a challenging climb up one of our many hillsides, there's a path for you. Free guided activities led by volunteer docent naturalists offer a great way to explore a new preserve, learn about the natural environment or join others for outdoor recreation. Volunteer: Each year, nearly 1,000 Midpen and partner volunteers contribute over 20,000 hours preserving, protecting, and promoting open space lands by participating in a variety of ways such as educating and inspiring visitors, maintaining trails and removing invasive, non-native vegetation. We believe in a holistic approach to volunteerism and view our programs as a mechanism to build resilient and cohesive communities by fostering synergy between people and nature. We all share the responsibility of looking after the health of the planet. How will you help? Volunteer programs at Midpen vary from one day, hands-on stewardship projects ideal for busy people looking for brief, but meaningful ways to get involved, to long-term commitments for individuals interested in developing a deeper connection to Midpen’s mission of land preservation and ecologically sensitive public enjoyment. Interpretation & Education Programs - Midpen docents are long-term volunteers who engage directly with the public. They educate and inspire through interpretive hikes and rides on the trails, hosting visitors on weekends at a scenic nature center, and conducting field trips for elementary school students. Find out more about volunteering as a docent in our Interpretation & Education Programs. Trails & Stewardship Programs - When you volunteer through our Trails & Stewardship Programs, your efforts contribute to meaningful projects that are part of Midpen’s larger strategic goals. Volunteers in these programs deliver hands on restoration, assist visitors along the trails, respond to field staff needs, contribute to community science, and increase community awareness through both short- and long-term programs.