Craige Edgerton took on the role of Silicon Valley Land
Conservancy executive director in October. Conservancy President
Don Gralnek chose Edgerton to be a leader for the nonprofit
organization as the group is actively attempting to save large
parcels of land in Santa Clara County and south along the Pajaro
River basin through agricultural and open space easements or
purchases.
Edgerton brings with him a strong background in land
conservation – he serves in the seventh district of the Santa Clara
County Open Space Authority – and he helped develop the 2020
General Plan for the city of San Jose and served on the Coyote
Valley Specific Plan Task Force.
Craige Edgerton took on the role of Silicon Valley Land Conservancy executive director in October. Conservancy President Don Gralnek chose Edgerton to be a leader for the nonprofit organization as the group is actively attempting to save large parcels of land in Santa Clara County and south along the Pajaro River basin through agricultural and open space easements or purchases.
Edgerton brings with him a strong background in land conservation – he serves in the seventh district of the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority – and he helped develop the 2020 General Plan for the city of San Jose and served on the Coyote Valley Specific Plan Task Force.
“With growing pressures to develop land everywhere, there are community-oriented people working hard to preserve tracts for future generations,” Edgerton said. “I’m delighted to be a part of that effort.”
Edgerton discussed his vision and the goals of SVLC with the Sunday Pinnacle.
Q: When did you first get involved in land conservancy issues and why?
A: My very first involvement was as a docent with the Santa Cruz Mountain Natural History Association in 1983. I was reading the history of how Big Basin State Park, California’s first state park, was formed and realized that Andrew Hill and others decided that that part of California was worth preserving. It made me realize that I should do my part in preserving what I could for future generations. My first active involvement was helping to establish the Santa Clara County Open Space Authority in 1992 through my involvement with the Greenbelt Alliance.
Q: What do you see as the greatest challenge for open space in the South County region, including Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy?
A: The greatest challenge is finding enough money to preserve what is left in the South County. Through numerous polls, Santa Clara County residents have consistently given a very high priority to preserving agricultural areas, rivers, streams and open space. And most of those remaining pristine areas are in South County. But competing with development dollars has been tough. Fortunately, there are now many developers who see the advantages of preserving these places and are now becoming an ally of land preservation.
Another challenge is coordinating the efforts of so many different interests in the South County. In addition to the local government agencies, there are the land owners, developers and state and federal agencies to consider. Being able to coordinate these has been one of SVLC’s strengths.
Q: What is the difference between the Silicon Valley Land Conservancy and The Santa Clara County Open Space Authority?
A: There are many differences but the main one is that OSA is publicly funded through a benefit assessment district and SVLC is a private nonprofit that relies on the generous voluntary support of the community. Because of its unique role, SVLC is able to put together land deals that a public agency would be constrained to do. Land preservation needs both because they fulfill different needs. I understand that in the public’s eye, there can be some confusion. But back in the early 1990s, county leaders understood that both were needed. That’s why the OSA was formed in 1994 and the SVLC in 1998.
Q: What are some of the challenges facing SVLC in land conservation?
A: Finding a consistent source of funding is always a challenge. Most nonprofits have to compete to raise funds and SVLC is no exception. But we have been able to preserve almost 1,500 acres of prime agriculture and 200 acres of critical habitat containing federally endangered species with only one staff person and a very dedicated board of directors in just seven years. We are an extremely efficient organization. Another challenge is having the public understand who we are and what we do.
Q: How has SVLC helped bring together such diverse groups as farmers, developers, businesses, environmentalists and government agencies?
A: Recently, SVLC was able to preserve about 450 acres of prime agriculture near Highway 101 and the Pajaro River south of Gilroy. By acting as a central clearing agent for discussion, we were able to bring together the land owner, the Santa Clara Water District, the OSA, The Nature Conservancy, The Trust for Public Land, the California Department of Conservation, the Federal Natural Conservation Resource Service and the California Fish and Game to preserve this magnificent piece of property. The SVLC now owns a conservation easement on this farm so it will always remain as a farm and never be developed.
