Favor de unírsenos el martes, 9 de julio, de 6:00 a 8:00 p.m. para un taller comunitario virtual en el que aprenderemos sobre el Plan específico para el Distrito Comercial de Ravenswood/4 Corners (Ravenswood Business District/4 Corners Specific Plan) de East Palo Alto y cómo usted puede ofrecerle sus comentarios a la ciudad en relación a este plan. Read the English version here Este taller está siendo ofrecido por Nuestra Casa en colaboración con Green Foothills, la delegación de Loma Prieta del Sierra Club (Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter), SPUR, Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, y Sequoia Audubon...
Join a Community Workshop on the Ravenswood Specific Plan
Please join us on Tuesday, July 9 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. for an online community workshop to learn about East Palo Alto’s Ravenswood Business District/4 Corners Specific Plan and how you can provide your input on this plan to the city. Lea la versión en español aquí This workshop is hosted by Nuestra Casa in partnership with Green Foothills, the Sierra Club Loma Prieta Chapter, SPUR, Citizens Committee to Complete the Refuge, and Sequoia Audubon Society. What’s Happening The Ravenswood Business District/4 Corners Specific Plan is the city’s proposed plan for growth in the northeastern part of the city (see...
Emily Schwing: Building a Collective Food System
In the heart of East San Jose, next to the Hwy 101 and I-680 interchange, sits a vibrant urban oasis where rows of lush, green vegetables flourish under the California sun. This is Veggielution, a 6-acre community farm that provides fresh, affordable food for underserved communities. The acting executive director of this nonprofit, food-justice based organization is Emily Schwing, a 2018 graduate of the Green Foothills Leadership Program. In 2018, Emily was working in a communications manager role and was about to move up into a director level position. She signed up for the Leadership Program because she wanted to...
Ballot Measure Seeks to Empower San Benito Voters
In November, San Benito County voters have a chance to change the way land use decisions are made in the county. A new initiative to help protect rural, agricultural, and rangelands will be on the ballot. Green Foothills has endorsed this ballot measure, and we will be working with Campaign to Protect San Benito, the local community group leading the effort, to get the measure passed. This initiative, entitled “Empower Voters to Make Land Use Decisions,” will require voter approval for development proposals that would change the land use designation of parcels that are currently designated as rural, agricultural, or...
Protecting Our Groundwater From Mining Contamination
Santa Clara County has enacted a new ordinance requiring mining operations to maintain a 50-foot protective buffer from groundwater. We’re celebrating this important step by the County to protect our groundwater resources from the potentially harmful impacts of mining. And we’re proud that the initial idea for this ordinance came from a Green Foothills Leadership Program capstone project! Kudos to Rhoda Fry who brought this idea to our Leadership Program, and to her fellow alumni Kian Nikzad and Manjeet Singh Bhamra for working together to help get it done. Mining Can Contaminate Groundwater and Creeks Surface mines (i.e. quarries) involve...
Tell San Jose City Council Not to Cut Park Fees
Update: Unfortunately, on June 18 the San Jose City Council voted both to cut park impact fees for downtown high-rises, and to explore cutting park fees for other residential development throughout the entire city. City staff will bring recommendations back to the City Council at a future date with regard to whether to cut park fees outside of the Downtown area. We will alert our supporters when an opportunity arises for the public to weigh in. To receive alerts, sign up at greenfoothills.org/subcribe. On Tuesday, June 18, the San Jose City Council will consider a proposal to cut park impact...
Tell Redwood City Council Not to Cut Parks Funding
Update: We’re pleased to report that the Redwood City Council voted 4-3 not to cut parks funding. (The vote happened on June 24, postponed from June 10.) Thanks to everyone who emailed the City Council on this issue — your voice made a difference! Thanks to all of you who emailed the Redwood City Council on May 6 asking them not to cut funding for parks. The Council did not end up voting on the park fees at that meeting, but they will be voting on Monday, June 10. Please use the form below to email the Council once again...
Advocating for Green Space in East San Jose
What is the desired vision for new development on the Pleasant Hills Golf Course site in East San Jose? According to a city survey, creation of new parks and open space is by far the top priority for the nearby community. Green Foothills is working with the city and the community to ensure that this vision becomes reality. Community Feedback Shows Overwhelming Support For Parks and Open Space When development at the former Pleasant Hills Golf Course site was first suggested, Green Foothills urged the city to require a strong community engagement process to ensure that residents would have a...
Half Moon Bay Planning Commission Approves Senior Farmworker Housing
On May 14, the Half Moon Bay Planning Commission unanimously approved an innovative 40-unit affordable housing project for senior farmworkers in Half Moon Bay’s downtown business district, at 555 Kelly Avenue. Green Foothills has advocated in support of this project, which is an important step in addressing the dire need for farmworker housing in a location that’s within walking distance of stores and services. Farms on the San Mateo County coastside provide fresh food for the whole Bay Area, but many farmworkers lack access to safe and affordable housing. This is an injustice which must be corrected. The lack of...
Remembering Pete McCloskey
Former Congressman, environmental champion, and former Green Foothills board member, Paul N. “Pete” McCloskey, died on May 8 at age 96. Pete served on the Board of Green Foothills in 1963, and was a Green Foothills Nature’s Inspiration Honoree in 2010. Pete McCloskey was one of the most principled people that I have ever known. He never hesitated to speak up for what was right, just, and ethical, no matter the consequences. McCloskey was born in Loma Linda, attended Occidental College, and graduated from Stanford University and Stanford Law School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean...