We enjoy a remarkable heritage of natural riches thanks to the wisdom of those who came before us. It is now our responsibility to steward the treasure and grow the legacy.
This November, for the first time in many years, residents of Palo Alto, East Palo Alto and portions of Menlo Park will vote for the most qualified candidate to represent them on the Board of Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. The District protects and maintains 24 open space preserves open 365 days a year and free of charge. Among them, Cooley Landing, Monte Bello, Rancho San Antonio, and Windy Hill are a special source of pride for local residents.
When voters approved a $300M bond four years ago, it charged the District with implementing the Vision Plan that they were supporting, a Vision that I helped craft as Co-Chair of the Citizens Advisory Committee.
For 17 years as Palo Alto’s Mayor, City Council member, and Planning Commissioner, I have served Palo Alto and influenced regional policy while being a constant advocate for the environment by protecting trees from budget cuts, through habitat preservation actions, shifting the dialog in Palo Alto from recycling to Zero Waste, and planting trees with Canopy in East Palo Alto. These are just a few examples of my commitment to responsible environmental action and leadership.
That is why I have the endorsements of all seven Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District board members, the Sierra Club, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, and a long list of environmentalists and colleagues across city and county borders.
Perhaps best to let someone else speak for me. Yoriko Kishimoto, former Palo Alto mayor and current MROSD board member, has this to say:
“When I look for environmental leadership, I think of Karen Holman. I have worked with her, starting with zero waste 18 years ago to protecting our parks and open space. With the pressures of climate change, passionate advocacy and long-term thinking is more critical than ever. I am looking forward to her leadership on the Midpen board.”
I am honored to have received the endorsements of so many environmental leaders, officials and community members that you can see on my Endorsements page. I’d truly be honored to have your support, too.
And if you’re not already a regular visitor, I hope you’ll join the tens of thousands of others who are. Here is a link to your next adventure: www.openspace.org/preserves
I offer to you my commitment and my decades-long public record of environmental stewardship. I’d be honored to have your support on November 6.
“Keep close to Nature's heart—and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. ” – John Muir
