Image by:
Karl Gohl, Courtesy of MROSD
SANTA CLARA COUNTY
DIVERSE NATURAL AREAS FACE GROWTH CHALLENGE
The home of Silicon Valley was originally known for its agricultural
abundance. That heritage remains in Gilroy’s famed garlic harvest
and the 388,000 acres of ranchland that define Santa Clara County’s
landscape, along with urban creek corridors and oak woodlands.
The county is the Bay Area’s fastest-growing and is an economic
engine for the state—protecting its natural areas is key to maintaining
its appeal.
Population
2005: 1.76 M | 2020 projection: 2.08 M
Conservation in Action
The South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project—
the largest tidal restoration on the West Coast,
totaling 15,100 acres—will bring back wildlife,
provide flood protection, and enhance access to
San Francisco Bay.
Opportunities Create an interconnected system of open spaces to enable wildlife migration, trail connections, and continued farming. Increase public access to open space, especially near fast-growing areas, to help Santa Clara County continue to attract a talented workforce and ensure that all communities benefit. Protect watershed lands to safeguard the county’s water supply for a growing population.
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Santa Clara County contains 31 of California’s 61 habitat types, from coastal scrub to redwood forests to blue oak woodlands.