Established in 1972, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen, District) is an independent special district that has preserved over 70,000 acres of public land and manages 27 open space preserves. Midpen’s boundary extends from San Carlos to Los Gatos and the Pacific Ocean from south of Pacifica to the Santa Cruz County line. Located approximately 4.5 miles southeast of the Town of Los Gatos, Sierra Azul Open Space Preserve comprises approximately 19,000 acres of open space in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It spans serpentine grasslands, rocky and steep chaparral, dense stands of bay trees, shaded oak woodland forests, deep ravines, and riparian corridors. Currently, approximately 6,618 acres are open to the public. The southeastern portion of the preserve is referred to as the “Cathedral Oaks” area, approximately 2.5-acres of which are primarily composed of dense, homogeneous eucalyptus trees. To date, Midpen has conducted forest health and invasive species treatments within the general vicinity of this area. This project seeks to remove non-native trees, address invasive species, and implement erosion control measures supporting long-term site restoration. The tree removal work is anticipated to occur no earlier than September 2, 2024, and finish no later than November 15, 2024, to avoid impacts on nesting birds.
