Green Foothills

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Green Foothills

Protecting nature and farmland in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties (California) to ensure a healthy environment for everyone.

Green Foothills is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Palo Alto, California. Our mission is to protect local nature and farmland to ensure a healthy environment for everyone in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties. We do this through advocacy, education, and grassroots action. We are local, vocal, and effective. We envision a resilient region where wildlife thrives, ev

eryone has natural beauty to enjoy, and communities live in balance with nature. We advocate for baylands, coasts, rivers and streams, hillsides and grasslands, farmland, forests, and urban green spaces. More than 200,000 acres of natural land and farmland have been saved as a final outcome of our work since we were founded in 1962. We engage in land use issues, educate decision-makers and community leaders, and partner with and mobilize community members. We rely on community support. Ways to get involved:

- Subscribe to action alerts at greenfoothills.org/subscribe

- Donate at greenfoothills.org/donate

- Apply to our Leadership Program at greenfoothills.org/leadership-program/

- Follow on Facebook and Instagram.

06/11/2026

🌎 Join the conversation shaping our climate future.

Be part of a unique intergenerational dialogue that brings youth, community members, and local leaders together to discuss some of the most pressing environmental issues facing our region.

Share your perspectives, listen to diverse viewpoints, and explore solutions on topics including:

⚡ Clean Energy
🌬️ Air Quality
♻️ Single-Use Plastics
💻 AI Data Centers

This event is free to attend, and a light breakfast will be provided.

Your voice matters. Whether you're a student, parent, educator, advocate, or community member, we hope you'll join us for a morning of meaningful discussion and connection.

Learn more and register: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/san-mateo-county-intergenerational-climate-roundtable

We're proud to be a partner with Silicon Valley Youth Climate Action, the San Mateo County Office of Education, Climate Resilient Communities, Sustainable San Mateo County, Climate Justice Action Network and Arriba South Coast in making this important event possible.

06/09/2026

🎉 Victory for our open spaces, water, and climate resilience! Measure D has officially PASSED, and together, our community made it happen.

Because of your support, the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority will have the stable, local funding it needs to:
🌿 Reduce wildfire risk
💧 Protect clean drinking water
🐾 Restore wildlife habitat
🚶 Expand access to nature

We’re especially proud that Green Foothills Executive Director Julie Hutcheson was one of three local leaders who helped bring this citizens’ initiative to the ballot, and we're grateful to everyone who voted, volunteered, and spoke up.

This is what community-powered conservation looks like. Thank you for standing up for the lands and people of our region. Thank you for voting Yes on D.💚

06/04/2026

Be part of something inspiring! Support Green Foothills by sponsoring Nature’s Inspiration, our premier celebration and annual fundraiser on Sunday, September 27 at scenic MOHI Ranch, an expansive vineyard and small farm near Morgan Hill.

Your sponsorship helps protect local nature and wildlife across San Mateo, Santa Clara, and San Benito Counties.

Featuring special guest speaker Obi Kaufmann, the award-winning California author, artist, and naturalist, who will share powerful insights on the connection between environmental action, poetry, place, and policy.

Join us in making a lasting impact. And check out these photos of some of our past years' locations, always in a beautiful natural setting. This year's event promises to be the best yet

Learn more or become a sponsor: greenfoothills.org/sponsor2026

06/02/2026

Today’s the day! It's June 2, Election Day. If you’re voting in the South Bay, don’t forget to look for Measure D on your ballot.

This is a local funding measure to support the landscapes we all rely on, from wildlife habitat and farmland to clean water and accessible open space.

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has protected 30,000 acres and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but funding hasn’t kept pace with growing needs.

Measure D is a chance to invest in the future of these places. It will appear on your ballot if you live in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, or parts of unincorporated of Santa Clara County.

Remember to vote!

06/01/2026

Tomorrow is Election Day. If you live in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, or unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, you’ll see Measure D on your ballot.

This measure would:
✔ Reduce wildfire risk
✔ Protect clean water
✔ Preserve open space and farmland

It would also ensure larger corporate properties pay their fair share, while the average homeowner would pay only about $32 per year, with exemptions for seniors and low-income residents.

Your vote can help protect the landscapes that make the South Bay special. Vote Yes on D!

05/27/2026

Next week, South Bay voters will decide on Measure D. Please vote yes!

Here’s what it would do:
• Fund wildfire risk reduction and protect drinking water sources
• Support wildlife habitat, farmland, and open space
• Generate about $17 million annually — with every dollar staying local

The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority has doubled protected land over the past decade and expanded trails from 11 to 30 miles, all while serving dramatically more visitors.

Measure D helps ensure this work can continue as costs rise and demand grows. If you live in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, or some parts of unincorporated Santa Clara County, you'll see Measure D on your ballot.

Yes on D

05/19/2026

The voices couldn’t be clearer—vote YES on D. 🗳️ Thanks to all who attended our Yes on D house party this weekend!

Measure D on the June 2 ballot is a chance to significantly increase investment in the landscapes that make this region so special. It’s a local funding solution to:

💧 Keep our water clean
🔥 Reduce catastrophic wildfire risks
🌿 Protect natural landscapes and open space

Measure D would generate $17 million annually to support the work of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, helping build a healthier, more resilient community.

If you live in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, or unincorporated areas of the county, you’ll see Measure D on your ballot.

05/12/2026

Hiking isn’t just a weekend activity, it’s one of the best things you can do for your health. Time on the trail reduces stress, improves heart health, boosts mood, and connects us to nature in a way nothing else can. 🌿

If you like to hike, vote YES on Santa Clara County's Measure D to protect the places we love, and the simple joys that come with them. If you live in San Jose, Santa Clara, Campbell, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, or unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County, you’ll see Measure D on your June ballot. ✅

YES on D will:
• Reduce wildfire risk by clearing hazardous brush
• Protect clean drinking water sources
• Keep open spaces safe, clean, and accessible

Because when we protect our environment, we protect our well-being.

Vote Yes on D. 🌎

📷: Larry England

05/11/2026

We had a blast at our Wilderness Wonders Scavenger Hunt this weekend at Rancho Cañada del Oro Open Space Preserve! Thanks to all who attended.

📷: Larry England

05/01/2026

Voters across parts of Santa Clara County are about to make an important decision about the future of the South Bay’s natural treasures. Measure D on the June 2 ballot is a chance to significantly increase investment in the landscapes that make this region so special. It’s a local funding solution to:

💧 Keep our water clean
🔥 Reduce catastrophic wildfire risks
🌿 Protect natural landscapes and open space

Measure D would generate $17 million annually to support the work of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, helping build a healthier, more resilient community.

If you live in San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, Campbell, Morgan Hill, or unincorporated areas of the county, you’ll see Measure D on your ballot.

🗳️ Please vote Yes on D !

Address

3921 E Bayshore Road
Palo Alto, CA
94303

Telephone

+16509687243

Website

https://greenfoothills.org/

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