Coyote Ridge

A guided hike on Coyote Ridge. Photo by Cait Hutnik, LightofMorn.com.

by Sue Rosenthal

Environmental mitigation is often a devil's bargain, but in southern Santa Clara County its beneficial result is the preservation of Coyote Ridge, the Bay Area's largest expanse of serpentine grassland. Tract by tract, this spectacular 15-mile-long privately owned ridge is being protected to offset loss of habitat for endangered species--particularly the Bay checkerspot butterfly--as San Jose's southward growth consumes more and more undeveloped land. To date, about 10 percent of Coyote Ridge is protected by easements and mitigations, and the organizations and agencies working for its preservation want to share it with the public.

In April--generally peak wildflower season--the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority is offering seven docent-led hikes into this area, which is otherwise closed to the public. Sign up for a leisurely three-mile hike and you'll be treated to carpets of wildflowers, expansive views, and information about the ridge's history and habitat value for dozens of threatened or endangered plants and animals.

Hike sign-ups begin two weeks before each event and are first-come, first-serve for up to 20 hikers. Go to www.openspaceauthority.org to register. You can learn more about Coyote Ridge by watching several related short videos highlighted at baynature.org/youtube and by visiting the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy's website at www.siliconvalleylc.org.

Bay Nature Contributing Editor Sue Rosenthal is active in the California Native Plant Society and Friends of the Regional Parks Botanic Garden.