[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 149 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY OPEN SPACE 
                               AUTHORITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2018

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 25th Anniversary 
of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority. The OSA's work helps 
sustain and enrich our lives and is singularly important to the well-
being of future generations.
  The OSA was established in 1993 in response to grassroots efforts by 
citizen activists and the public seeking to protect Santa Clara 
Valley's natural resources. From a small agency, it expanded into a 
diverse organization with 700 currently active volunteers, serving 
areas of Santa Clara County outside the Mid peninsula Regional Open 
Space District. The OSA now owns and manages the Sierra Vista Open 
Space, the Rancho Canada del Oro Open Space, and the Coyote Ridge and 
Coyote Valley Open Space Preserves.
  The OSA's accomplishments over the past 25 years are numerous and 
significant, involving extensive planning and collaboration with a 
variety of partners to develop foundational research and planning tools 
that guide their projects and inform their work. It is the first public 
agency to receive Land Trust Alliance Accreditation in 2017, ensuring 
best practices and standards for professional land conservation.
  Currently, the OSA protects over 22,000 acres of land and provides 
permanent protection of habitat for 25 rare and endangered species of 
wildlife and plants. The OSA is the first agency in California to 
sponsor and develop a Regional Conservation Investment Strategy to 
promote the preservation of species, habitats, and other natural 
resources.
  Year-round, the OSA maintains the availability of three open space 
preserves to the public and runs hundreds of different types of free 
environmental education programs for the public in our preserves and 
urban parklands. The OSA also provides over $10,000,000 in funding to 
over 30 Urban Open Space Projects throughout our jurisdiction.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House to join me in 
commending the Open Space Authority for 25 years of hard work, its 
progress in its mission of conserving the natural environment, 
supporting agriculture and connecting our communities to nature is 
noteworthy. The OSA has been a key agency in our area to help guard our 
future by preserving vital natural communities, and connecting people 
to nature in our beautiful Santa Clara Valley.

                          ____________________