Save Skywest as Open Space in the City of Hayward from Destruction
Save Skywest as Open Space in the City of Hayward from Destruction
The Issue
PLEASE CONTACT US AT SAVESKYWEST@GMAIL.COM to join the coalition, receive updates, and sign up for TOURS of SkyWest!
Follow us on the socials:
Follow the Instagram account Save SkyWest
My home, the City of Hayward, is blessed with an amazing open space called Skywest. Over the years, Skywest has nurtured not just our community's physical health through recreation opportunities, but has also indirectly contributed to our mental well-being. Its vibrant ecosystem constitutes a crucial habitat for local wildlife, and its role in local climate regulation is undeniable.
Sadly, Skywest is under threat from development. If we allow our elected leaders to move forward with this development, we not only lose our open space for recreation, but we'll disrupt the delicate balance of our ecosystem and contribute detrimentally to climate change. If developed into an industrial park, 30 species of birds would lose a precious habitat. Also, Skywest as an ecosystem lessens the heat island effect for humans since trees and green space contribute to an important cooling effect.
It's a personal fight for me, and should be for every resident who values habitat preservation, has the foresight to understand the implications of accelerated climate change, and appreciates our local recreational spaces. Let's collectively urge the City Council of Hayward to rethink their decision and work towards preserving Skywest. We can demonstrate to them how much this unique open space means to our community.
CITY DISREGARDS PUBLIC INPUT
During the public outreach period regarding the future use of SkyWest, the majority of Hayward area residents wanted the property used for recreation and open space. When the City released their preliminary concept map, it DID NOT represent the COMMUNITY input that they, the City and Airport, literally asked for.
Discovered by a Public Records Act investigation, it was discovered that a majority of the airport customers and airplane hanger users actually live outside of the Hayward area in wealthy cities like PALO ALTO. Should Haywardians sacrifice their open space and potential Golden Gate Park of the East Bay because wealthy jet plane owners need a place to land and park their airplanes?
The same exact area where the City plans on parking those flying executive aircraft is the home to the almost-endangered Western Pond turtle.
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS
The Western Pond Turtle
Skywest is home to the Western Pond turtle, many of which can be seen basking, swimming, and feeding in the largest pond on the property. The Western Pond Turtle is listed as a species of special concern in California due to habitat loss, the introduction of non-native predators (such as red-eared sliders, bullfrogs, and predatory fish), and human-induced changes to their environment. In September 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed federal protections for the Western Pond Turtle under the Endangered Species Act, recognizing the increasing risks of extinction due to factors like habitat loss and invasive species.
Conservation efforts in California have focused on habitat preservation and study, particularly of managed and protected sites. Research shows that Western Pond Turtles practice a high degree of site fidelity, meaning that many generations of pond turtles at Skywest will have spent their lifecycle within the park. The pond at Skywest also offers many of the optimal conditions for Pond Turtles, including soft, loose substrate for egg-laying, submerged stones, logs, or other structures for basking, and an abundant food source in the vegetation. Other ecological study underscores the need for active management of aquatic habitats, particularly in areas that have been altered by human activity, to support the long-term survival of Western Pond Turtles. Skywest is an optimal site for active management and study of Pond Turtles; preservation of Skywest as a park would offer refuge and protection to the many generations of Pond Turtles that have made this park their home.
Source: “Habitat Use, Movement Patterns, and Nest Site Selection by Western Pond Turtles in a Managed Central California Rangeland Pond”
Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is an iconic species, with deep cultural significance across many communities in California. Visitors to Skywest are frequently delighted by the site of hundreds of these butterflies nesting, flying, eating, and resting in the Eucalyptus trees across the park.
Monarchs migrate thousands of miles across the state, and frequently return to home sites to overwinter. As climate change and human development continues to impact migrational patterns, food sources, and nesting sites, monarchs are increasingly threatened and at risk. While it is not currently on the Endangered Species list, it is listed as a species of high concern.
Monarchs also practice a high degree of site fidelity, meaning that they will return to the same sites to overwinter for generations. The eucalyptus trees at Skywest are an ideal refuge, and their loss would rob migrating Monarchs of a safe refuge to survive the harsh winter months.
Please, sign this petition and let us save Skywest together.
3,743
The Issue
PLEASE CONTACT US AT SAVESKYWEST@GMAIL.COM to join the coalition, receive updates, and sign up for TOURS of SkyWest!
Follow us on the socials:
Follow the Instagram account Save SkyWest
My home, the City of Hayward, is blessed with an amazing open space called Skywest. Over the years, Skywest has nurtured not just our community's physical health through recreation opportunities, but has also indirectly contributed to our mental well-being. Its vibrant ecosystem constitutes a crucial habitat for local wildlife, and its role in local climate regulation is undeniable.
Sadly, Skywest is under threat from development. If we allow our elected leaders to move forward with this development, we not only lose our open space for recreation, but we'll disrupt the delicate balance of our ecosystem and contribute detrimentally to climate change. If developed into an industrial park, 30 species of birds would lose a precious habitat. Also, Skywest as an ecosystem lessens the heat island effect for humans since trees and green space contribute to an important cooling effect.
It's a personal fight for me, and should be for every resident who values habitat preservation, has the foresight to understand the implications of accelerated climate change, and appreciates our local recreational spaces. Let's collectively urge the City Council of Hayward to rethink their decision and work towards preserving Skywest. We can demonstrate to them how much this unique open space means to our community.
CITY DISREGARDS PUBLIC INPUT
During the public outreach period regarding the future use of SkyWest, the majority of Hayward area residents wanted the property used for recreation and open space. When the City released their preliminary concept map, it DID NOT represent the COMMUNITY input that they, the City and Airport, literally asked for.
Discovered by a Public Records Act investigation, it was discovered that a majority of the airport customers and airplane hanger users actually live outside of the Hayward area in wealthy cities like PALO ALTO. Should Haywardians sacrifice their open space and potential Golden Gate Park of the East Bay because wealthy jet plane owners need a place to land and park their airplanes?
The same exact area where the City plans on parking those flying executive aircraft is the home to the almost-endangered Western Pond turtle.
ECOLOGICAL IMPACTS
The Western Pond Turtle
Skywest is home to the Western Pond turtle, many of which can be seen basking, swimming, and feeding in the largest pond on the property. The Western Pond Turtle is listed as a species of special concern in California due to habitat loss, the introduction of non-native predators (such as red-eared sliders, bullfrogs, and predatory fish), and human-induced changes to their environment. In September 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed federal protections for the Western Pond Turtle under the Endangered Species Act, recognizing the increasing risks of extinction due to factors like habitat loss and invasive species.
Conservation efforts in California have focused on habitat preservation and study, particularly of managed and protected sites. Research shows that Western Pond Turtles practice a high degree of site fidelity, meaning that many generations of pond turtles at Skywest will have spent their lifecycle within the park. The pond at Skywest also offers many of the optimal conditions for Pond Turtles, including soft, loose substrate for egg-laying, submerged stones, logs, or other structures for basking, and an abundant food source in the vegetation. Other ecological study underscores the need for active management of aquatic habitats, particularly in areas that have been altered by human activity, to support the long-term survival of Western Pond Turtles. Skywest is an optimal site for active management and study of Pond Turtles; preservation of Skywest as a park would offer refuge and protection to the many generations of Pond Turtles that have made this park their home.
Source: “Habitat Use, Movement Patterns, and Nest Site Selection by Western Pond Turtles in a Managed Central California Rangeland Pond”
Monarch Butterfly
The Monarch butterfly is an iconic species, with deep cultural significance across many communities in California. Visitors to Skywest are frequently delighted by the site of hundreds of these butterflies nesting, flying, eating, and resting in the Eucalyptus trees across the park.
Monarchs migrate thousands of miles across the state, and frequently return to home sites to overwinter. As climate change and human development continues to impact migrational patterns, food sources, and nesting sites, monarchs are increasingly threatened and at risk. While it is not currently on the Endangered Species list, it is listed as a species of high concern.
Monarchs also practice a high degree of site fidelity, meaning that they will return to the same sites to overwinter for generations. The eucalyptus trees at Skywest are an ideal refuge, and their loss would rob migrating Monarchs of a safe refuge to survive the harsh winter months.
Please, sign this petition and let us save Skywest together.
3,743
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Petition created on March 17, 2025