Primary Areas of Interest in Santa Clara Valley
Agricultural areas along the Pajaro River south of Gilroy, where approximately 1,165 acres have been preserved through agricultural easements.
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The Coyote Valley Greenbelt, which is currently in the planning stage as an agricultural and watershed buffer between San Jose and Morgan Hill.
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Natural habitat areas for threatened animal species such as the Bay Checkerspot butterfly, California Tiger salamander, California Red Legged frog, Burrowing owl and endangered plant species such as the Metcalf Canyon jewelflower, Coyote ceanothus, Santa Clara Valley dudleya, and Tiburon Indian paintbrush, and many other native plants. LTSCV currently owns 200 + acres of prime serpentine grasslands, where these and other endangered or threatened species thrive.
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Hillsides and Oak woodlands that provide valuable watersheds on the east and west sides of Santa Clara Valley.
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History
The story of the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV) is similar to many other Silicon Valley-based stories: it began with an idea well ahead of its time. In 1998, a group of dedicated citizens formed the Land Trust for Santa Clara County, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and in 2005 changed it's name to the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy. During a reboot of the organization in 2017 it formally became known as the Land Trust of Santa Clara Valley (LTSCV). This reboot commenced as part of an overall plan to preserve and protect the remaining agriculture and open space in Santa Clara County and it's adjacent counties.
The LTSCV regularly collaborates with other agencies and organizations to protect natural habitat and agricultural land of Santa Clara County. From the beginning it was understood that there needed to be a private non-profit agency to provide the tools necessary to protect what remained of the natural habitat and agriculture within the County. Since 1998, we have acquired, maintained and preserved over 1,400 acres, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the small operating budget, staff, and non-government status gives LTSCV the ability to accomplish unique and varied acquisitions througout the county.
The LTSCV regularly collaborates with other agencies and organizations to protect natural habitat and agricultural land of Santa Clara County. From the beginning it was understood that there needed to be a private non-profit agency to provide the tools necessary to protect what remained of the natural habitat and agriculture within the County. Since 1998, we have acquired, maintained and preserved over 1,400 acres, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the small operating budget, staff, and non-government status gives LTSCV the ability to accomplish unique and varied acquisitions througout the county.