Photo contest helps focus planning at South Bay's Coyote Valley Open Space

**Planning for the Future: A Colorful Approach to Climate Readiness**

Being climate ready means preparing for what's ahead, and the managers of a Bay Area open space are embracing a vibrant strategy to do just that. Their approach blends passion, planning, and photography.

When we first encountered Ron Horii, he was guiding us along a trail at the Coyote Valley Open Space Preserve, camera in hand. As an enthusiastic photographer, Horii is participating in a photo contest sponsored by the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, which oversees the preserve. The contest aims to showcase the beauty of the open space through the eyes of its visitors.

Horii highlights the often-overlooked features of the preserve, saying, “I bet a lot of people don’t realize there’s a trail down there where they can bike and walk, with plenty to see.”

One memorable experience for Horii occurred on a moonlit night when he spotted a bald eagle perched on a branch against a darkening sky. Combining skill with a touch of luck, he captured the moment in a striking photograph. “I happened to be riding my bike when I saw the eagle in a tree near the trail. Fortunately, the moon was out. I carefully dismounted and was surprised that the eagle didn’t fly away. I managed to get both the moon and the bird in the same shot,” Horii recalls.

In the same vein, a recent video captured a family of five coyotes, including three pups, frolicking on a San Francisco baseball field.

ABC7 News recently captured a heartwarming family moment as five coyotes were filmed playing on a baseball field in San Francisco's Bernal Heights. This footage was part of a collection of winning photographs unveiled at a community event.

Jennifer Peth, Associate Open Space Planner for the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, notes that these photographs—and the discussions they generate—are playing a crucial role in shaping the Coyote Valley Conservation Area Master Plan. This plan serves as a conceptual framework for future access and improvements in the open space located just south of San Jose, nestled in Silicon Valley.

Peth explains, “The feedback and messages we receive are coming directly from the public, from visitors to Coyote Valley, and reflect how the landscape resonates with them.”

The winning photos will also be featured at upcoming public meetings, where the authority will continue to gather community input and ideas for enhancing this stunning open space. Attendees at the open houses will have the opportunity to vote for the People's Choice Award for Best Overall Photograph.