Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
Rachel Clemons is a dedicated environmental professional with extensive experience in watershed restoration and ecosystem management. Currently serving as a Watershed Restoration Specialist at the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Rachel manages the planning, design, and implementation of projects aimed at restoring natural habitats and waterways. Previous roles include Environmental Services Specialist with the City of San José, where Rachel focused on water quality monitoring, and Project Lead at Grassroots Ecology, where community engagement and biodiversity restoration were prioritized. Rachel's background also includes positions as an Urban Farm Program Strategist with Green Village Initiative and as a research intern with the University of Louisville, complemented by a strong educational foundation with dual degrees in Environmental Science and Biology from Bellarmine University.
Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority
For 25 years, the Santa Valley Open Space Authority – in partnership with community members, nonprofits, and other agencies – has contributed to the quality of life in our community by efficiently protecting our land and water. The Authority’s legacy includes: • Safeguarding water resources • Preserving iconic landscapes and views, which help attract a highly qualified workforce to support our local economy and protect our high quality of life • Outdoor and science education opportunities for children and other local residents • Providing urban open space and outdoor recreational areas, improving public access to open lands and protecting natural wildlife and habitat • Preserving working lands and ranches, which limit urban sprawl and traffic, protect the Valley’s history, and provide locally-grown food for a healthy food supply and to boost the local economy • We’re proud that our “common sense” approach to urban growth, in partnership with all manner of civic leaders and organizations, has led to permanent protection of 20,000 acres of open space lands