(Above, background): Coyote Valley in San Jose, Calif. (Santa Clara County Open Space Authority) (Inset, l-r): Assemblymember Ash Kalra; San Jose Councilmember Sergio Jimenez; Open Space Authority board member Shay Franco-Clausen; and director of community health, Trust for Public Land, Sadiya Muqueeth. (Siliconeer/Zoom screen grab)

Wildfires, hurricanes, pandemic; the more we delve into 2020, the more we ask ourselves when it will end and how can I escape from this.

Living in Silicon Valley and dealing with Zoom calls, snacking on junk food, listening to discouraging news, and staying indoors to avoid contracting the virus and/or the smoke can get exhausting. There is, however, an escape that lies in the luscious valleys of the Santa Clara County.

Coyote Valley is a getaway for our busy lives as it provides a space for many to breathe. Walk around and admire the preserved scenic hillsides, open spaces, wildlife, redwood forests, and farmland. That is the Bay Area way of doing things during these trying times.

All of this preservation does come at a cost and that is what Measure T is going to cover. Measure T is simply an extension of Measure Q that helps fund and protect the beloved valley so we can take a break from our hectic and stressful lives and connect with nature. Measure T will simply be a continuation of the Measure Q tax with NO INCREASE from what we pay right now. Measure T will continue to bring more access to natural lands, protect our water supply, help manage lands to avoid fueling fires and preserve our heritage, among many other things. Measure T will simply extend what Measure Q did in the last five years.

Measure Q has had a significant impact in the last five years in terms of preserving Coyote Valley. According to the Open Space Authority Website:

  • Nearly doubled the amount of protected acreage to over 26,000
  • Provides free access to 26 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding 365 days a year
  • Protected almost 1,000 acres in North Coyote Valley to protect wildlife connectivity, water quality, and reduce the risk of flooding to downstream communities
  • Completed the Santa Clara Valley Agricultural Plan to prevent development of agricultural lands
  • Funded over 30 projects and programs with $2.8 M of Measure Q investments

Read more about the impact of Measure Q here.

During an information session about Measure T, we were reminded of our responsibilities of preserving this precious planet by supporting such initiatives. As we live our daily lives, we forget that Mother Nature is fragile, and the most recent reminder is the record Wildfire season we are facing today.

Here’s what Assemblymember Ash Kalra had to say to President Donald Trump, who on his recent visit to the Bay Area commented that California wildfires were due to forest mismanagement. Kalra asserts that 57% of forest land in California is owned by the Federal government. Kalra, along with many other experts, agree that these wildfires are not just about dead trees and vegetation and we have to combat global climate change which President Trump fails to accept.

According to Kalra, The State of California is investing millions of dollars more in the last two years to combat global warming. The dollars are invested in preserving and maintaining lands with the help of organizations such as the Open Space Authority. Kalra painted a clear picture by giving us data on who owns the forest land in California. He claims that California State owns only 3% of its forest land which is maintained well. 40% of the forest land is privately owned by various groups like Indigenous tribes, homeowners/private-land owners, or organizations like the Open Space Authority. The rest 57%, as highlighted before, is owned by the Federal Government. Kalra ends the statement on a sobering note asserting, “It has to be a team effort.”

Measure T is just one of the many ways we can help limit the adverse effects of global warming and help reduce the chances of future wildfires. As citizens, we should do it in the interest of Mother Nature and the sanctity of a place we call home.