Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District

It’s purple martin nesting season! 🐣 Purple martins (Progne subis) are abundantly found in eastern North America but are also found in smaller numbers on the West Coast. Here in the Bay Area, you can find them in forest and woodland areas, nesting in either natural or artificial cavities. That means you can find them tucked in an old woodpecker hole in a tree or in crevices in buildings or underneath bridges. These birds are incredibly deft and can snatch the insects they eat right out of the air. They can also drink water while flying by skimming over a body of water with their bills! Learn more about these birds and the work Midpen is doing to help their populations return to and thrive in our region: https://bit.ly/3zH8lmG

Scaly snakes slither silently through the summer sun... Happy World Snake Day! To celebrate, here are some pretty pictures of snakes that call Midpen preserves their home. 1 - San Francisco Garter Snake (Brian Hubbs) 2 - Northern Pacific Rattlesnake (Kathryn Carpenter) 3 - Pacific Ring-Necked Snake (Borin Tang) 4 - Gopher Snake (ES Mills) 5 - Rubber Boa (Frances Freyberg) 6 - Santa Cruz Garter Snake (Eleanor Raab) Learn more about these snakes and other wildlife native to our region: https://bit.ly/3y0bcGU

Have you ever wondered how a trail is built? In the newest edition of OpenRoad with Doug McConnell and Friends, Midpen staff talk about the precise art and science behind the newly repaired Alpine Road Trail, and how Measure AA made the project possible. Listen to Midpen’s trail crew experts as they share their experience working on this project and what their favorite aspects of the trail are! Watch the video on our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/3Lr6vcc

I spy with my little eye 🧐 ... a new geocaching adventure! Our Geocaching Adventure Lab at Ravenswood Open Space Preserve is now live! Geocaching Adventure Lab is a variation of traditional geocaching that offers a more interactive and digital experience. It involves completing a series of location-based activities or challenges using the Adventure Lab app. Each Adventure Lab consists of multiple stages or waypoints, which participants must visit and complete tasks, such as answering questions or solving puzzles, to progress. Download the app and dive into an interactive adventure where you'll learn fascinating history and facts about the preserve! Apple App Store: https://apple.co/4cVdiqo Android App Store: https://bit.ly/3xYv519

Are you a self-starter with a passion for the outdoors and preserving open space? Are you a seasoned administrative support professional with experience supporting executive management or a high-level official with a wide variety of complex, responsible and confidential administrative and clerk support duties? If so, then Midpen has an outstanding opportunity for a top-level Executive Assistant/Deputy District Clerk to join our team! Click here to learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3zCIT1M 📷: Anuradha Gorukant

Today we’re highlighting every outdoor enthusiast's favorite plant, poison oak! Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is a plant native to California, and it grows as a shrub or a vine. It’s most notably known for the urushiol oils produced in its leaves, stems and roots that is toxic to humans. It’s important to know of the various stages of poison oak to avoid the rash that may occur when coming in contact with the plant. Early spring (March) - poison oak begins sprouting bright green leaves with little to no red on the leaves Summer - flush with red, orange, yellow or green leaves and small white or tan berries Fall - almost entirely red and begin to shed their leaves Winter - bare vines and branches. But don't be fooled by the lack of leaves! The oil is still present on bare branches or vines and may cause a reaction. Aside from its infamous effects on humans, poison oak leaves are a tasty and nutritious snack for deer, black-tailed rabbits, and wood rats. Birds forage on its berries and also eat insects hidden in the vines and foliage. 📷: Karl Gohl

Do you have a strong understanding of computer systems and excellent problem-solving skills? Do you have a passion for preserving open space and commitment to delivering high quality customer service? If so, then Midpen has an outstanding opportunity for an IT Technician I to bring your technical acumen to support our mission! Click here to learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/4cAsgSO 📷: Randy Weber

Is that a little leopard? NOPE! It's a little mountain lion cub! It’s National Kitten Day, so here’s a spotlight on the baby versions of California’s biggest cats. Contrary to the meaning of their scientific name Puma concolor (cats of one color), mountain lion cubs are covered in camouflaging spots and rings around their tail that fade by the time they are around 16 months old. Mothers will leave newborn cubs like these at their typically well-hidden dens to hunt until the cubs are old enough to join (as early as eight weeks old!). The cubs stay with their mother until they are 18-24 months old. The sounds you hear the cubs making are called chirp or whistle calls. These bird-like calls are used to help the mother lion locate the cubs and entice her to nurse. They can be heard from long distances and carry well even through dense forest habitat. These cubs and their mother were found by Midpen and Puma Project staff during part of a mountain lion study that aims to help mountain lions and humans coexist safely: https://bit.ly/3WhOaVt

Do you have working knowledge of a broad range of facility maintenance trades and technical principles? Do you enjoy operating power tools and safety equipment? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for the position of Facilities Maintenance Specialist! This position will support Midpen’s utilization of contractors and act as a point of contact for a wide variety of maintenance and repair tasks while coordinating facilities maintenance work with other Midpen departments. Click here to learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3S1tsqi 📷: Amy Ashland

Do you have a passion for the outdoors, trails and preserving open space? Do you enjoy public interaction and thrive on helping others? If so, Midpen has an excellent opportunity for three experienced Administrative Assistants to join our growing workforce! Click here to learn more and apply: https://bit.ly/3Wp8qoh. 📷: Kevin Gallagher