Why does the City protect open space?  

The City protects open space land to achieve the strategic goals of the City, including:  

• Maintain and enhance biological diversity; 
• Secure land for agricultural conservation; 
• Support climate resilience and mitigation programs; 
• Provide non-motorized recreational opportunities; 
• Preserve scenic value; and, 
• Manage watershed and address flood control. 

The City’s Open Space Program implements Livermore’s General Plan goals, objectives, and policies, including:

• Goal OSC-1 Conserve the value and function of Livermore’s open space as a biological resource.
• Objective OSC-1.1 Maintain biodiversity within the Planning Area with special emphasis on species that are sensitive, rare, declining, unique, or represent valuable biological resources. 

How does the City protect open space?

The City periodically acquires open space land from willing sellers on the open market to protect and/or enhance the natural resources and attributes of the property.  

The City has access to several funding sources that can only be used for open space acquisition. Rotating City Council members provide representation on the Altamont Open Space Committee, which oversees and recommends expenditures of funds used solely for purchase of properties in Alameda County to protect natural resources, biodiversity, and recreational opportunities.   

The City has acquired or helped to acquire and protect over 1,000 acres of land. Currently, the City owns nearly 340 acres of land in Doolan Canyon and approximately 300 acres of alkali wetlands, and sensitive habitat in Springtown. 

What happens when the City owns open space?  

When the City acquires open space land, the City takes on the responsibility of maintaining and managing the land for its habitat and conservation values. Long-term management of City-owned open space is a key component of the program. 

Conservation Easements 

To generate funds for long-term management, the City sells conservation easements to private developers who may need to compensate for impacts elsewhere. Learn more about conservation easements: 

• Tri-Valley Conservancy Easements are held and monitored by Tri-Valley Conservancy. 
• California Council of Land Trusts  

Sale of Conservation Values through a conservation easement results in funding to:

• Conduct enhancement and habitat restoration work;
• Provide short and long-term management planning; and,
• Create a non-wasting endowment fund to protect and manage the land and the natural resources in perpetuity.  

Grazing and Active Management is a key component of the program. Management requires financial resources and expertise. The City partners with conservation organizations to manage and protect the open space for:  

• Biodiversity and Habitat
• Agriculture and Working Lands
• Climate Change Goals
  • Adaptation/Resilience: Watershed, Stormwater management, and flood control-ability to address and adapt to climate events
  • Mitigation: carbon sequestration / reduction