POST’s Mission
POST protects and cares for open space, farms and parkland in and around Silicon Valley.
POST’s Vision
POST is shaping a vibrant ecosystem for Silicon Valley – a network of protected lands that provide scenic beauty, clean air and water, locally grown food, and a place for people and wildlife to thrive. These lands will be preserved forever so that present and future generations can live in harmony with nature, in a careful balance of urban and rural landscapes that make our region extraordinary.
Conservation IMPACT
Since our founding in 1977, POST has protected more than 76,000 acres of permanent open space, farms and parkland in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties. These lands are now part of the National Park system, National Wildlife Refuge system, California State Parks, county and city parks, regional preserves and private farmland.
A HISTORY of Preservation
In 1972, San Mateo County voters passed Measure R, creating the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District (Midpen) to “acquire and preserve a regional greenbelt of open space land in perpetuity, protect and restore the natural environment, and provide opportunities for ecologically sensitive public enjoyment and education.” Five years later, Midpen’s first leader Herb Grench proposed forming a private land trust to work privately with landowners who were reluctant to deal with government agencies and to raise money to supplement public funding for land conservation. Thus, Peninsula Open Space Trust or POST was born in Menlo Park. Robert “Bob” Augsberger of Portola Valley served as our first executive director from 1977 to 1987. Early on he recognized the value of protecting signature landscapes like Windy Hill and Mindego Hill from development.
Bob was followed by Audrey C. Rust in 1987. For 25 years, Audrey worked to bring permanent protection to thousands of acres of open space. She is widely recognized as a conservation leader and champion across the country.
Today, POST is one of the premier land trusts in the U.S., renowned for our deep technical understanding of our local lands as well as our expert ability to define and implement complicated land transactions of many types. In addition to our confidential work with private landowners, we partner closely with many public agencies on the national, state and county level to create a strong, effective network of conservation and stewardship.
Headquartered in Palo Alto, we are a 501 C3 nonprofit public benefit corporation that is funded entirely through donations from private individuals, foundations and grants. Our taxpayer identification number is 94-2392007.
We are fortunate to work in an area where so many people value our spectacular surroundings. Since 1977, over 17,000 donors have given to POST, and the numbers keep growing. We hope you will join us.
POST At-a-Glance
Download our POST At-a-Glance brochure – an easy, print at home one pager that folds into your pocket and you can share with friends.