South Santa Clara County’s environment provides a breath of
fresh air, but this inspiring setting is at risk. Protecting its
creeks, oak woodlands, and working farms while supporting the
revitalization of local downtowns is key to maintaining the quality
of life of this region.
Dear Editor,
South Santa Clara County’s environment provides a breath of fresh air, but this inspiring setting is at risk. Protecting its creeks, oak woodlands, and working farms while supporting the revitalization of local downtowns is key to maintaining the quality of life of this region.
Poorly managed growth will strain land that provides food, hillsides that filter our water, and open spaces that make our county special. Working together to ensure growth is strategically planned will protect our landscapes and our quality of life today, and the future. Did you know open space is critical to maintaining our local water supply?
South Santa Clara County is almost wholly dependent on groundwater for water supply needs, making open space vital to replenishing our aquifer via rainfall. Paving open space diminishes this natural cycle. Although water is pumped in from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, failure of the Delta’s fragile infrastructure would reduce or eliminate this source. It is incumbent upon us to safeguard our local water resources by protecting open space and working farms.
Did you know that South County has the most fertile soil in Santa Clara County? Our agricultural fields grow a myriad of fresh fruit, vegetables, mushrooms and nuts. Farmlands offer access to fresh local food, contribute to our local economy and serve as greenbelt buffers. Yet, our working farms are constantly at risk of being developed despite the ability to make room for new homes and jobs in our downtowns, close to transit.
Did you know that community engagement at the local level can make a big difference? Being proactive ensures our communities retain characteristics that drew us to them in the first place. The Committee for Green Foothills’ and Greenbelt Alliance’s series on South Santa Clara County offers you the opportunity to be a part of moving the vision forward! Our Food of Life Agriculture Panel on Friday, April 15 at Lizarran Tapas Restaurant in Gilroy, our Quality of Life Urban Tour in Morgan Hill on Saturday, April 16, and our Community Design Day on May 14 at the Granary in Morgan Hill are free involvement opportunities!
Details or to RSVP: www.greenbelt.org.
Julie Hutcheson, environmental advocate,
Committee for Green Foothills and Erin McDaniel, open space campaign coordinator, south Santa Clara County, Greenbelt Alliance
