Accomplishments in my past 12 years as a Board Member

By Kenneth C. Nitz

I take a detail-oriented approach to Board service, scrutinizing the budget and policies, asking lots of questions, and pushing District staff to respond to citizen's concerns, as well as those of the Board.

I have served on the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space (MROSD) Board of Directors for 12 years. I take a detail-oriented approach to Board service, scrutinizing the budget and policies, asking lots of questions, and pushing District staff to respond to citizen's concerns, as well as those of the Board.

Active + Engaged Board Member

• Hiked in every preserve.
• Attended over 500 Board and Committee meetings.
• Visit preserves nearly every week. Especially those near my Ward: Pulgas Ridge, Windy Hill and Thornewood.
• Board President (2000 & 2007).
• Budget committee member (10 years).

• Voted to preserve over 16,000 acres of land so that it can never be developed.
• Increased off-leash dog usage.
• Kept the operating budget lean, with sufficient funds to continue aggressive acquisition.
• Helped protect our precious San Mateo Coast by increasing the size of the District.
• Worked to bring the public onto their land

• Emphasized the District's role as a steward of the land.
• Fought to remove non-native invasive plants and improve Resource Management policies and actions.
• Advocated for the use of weevils to fight against a nasty non-native invasive plant, the Yellow Star Thistle.
• Helped develop District's Large Master Plans.
• Worked on revamping District resource management policies.
• Worked for increased agricultural use on District lands

• Helped to create the Good Neighbor Policy
• Successfully advocated for increased scientific research on District lands.
• No increase in taxes.
• Fought for improved web and email access for the public and use of Google Maps where possible.
• Promoted Geocaching: helped write geocaching policy, put latitude and longitude on maps.

• Kept taxes low and budget lean.
• Kept the operating budget lean and able to survive economic downturns, while meeting our core mission and purpose.
• Improved working relationships with District employees.
• Participated in selection of new General Manager.