Land is becoming a more and more valuable resource as the world population grows. There are in fact few places in built up areas where land is not privately owned, and is available for public use. To help address this issue, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District was created, to preserve open land for the public benefit. The organization has hundreds of volunteers and several staff. If you feel strongly about keeping this land open, then you may want to volunteer, as there is always stuff you can do. You may even get to meet Rudy Jurgensen, who was instrumental in helping the organization get off the ground and raise awareness of its goals in 2003. Rudy currently works in the public affairs department.