Conejo Open Space Foundation

Irene Rowland explores why immersion in nature is essential to our mental and physical wellbeing—see her recorded presentation.

Irene Rowland, certified forest therapy guide and founder of Forest Needle Wellness, advised attendees to literally hug a tree during her March 4 presentation “Forest Bathing and Healing Landscapes: A Guide to Mindful Nature Connection.” Scroll to the bottom of this page to view the recording of her presentation. An Read more

By Anne Russell, 1 week ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Fundraising

Year-end giving deadline near, COSF President Bill Miller notes

The Conejo Open Space Foundation is deeply grateful to the many supporters of our mission to preserve, promote, and protect natural open spaces through community education and involvement. As COSF finishes our 30th anniversary holiday season, we celebrate both what we’ve accomplished together and urge you to consider one final Read more

By Anne Russell, 3 months12/29/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Photo Contest Past Wildlife

Fall ‘Four Seasons’ photo contest winner is Marilyn Wells!

For our Winter ‘Four Seasons’ contest the challenge subject is Conejo Valley wildlife (i.e., birds, reptiles, bugs, mammals, etc.). Deadline for entry is February 28, 2026. If you would like to enter future contests, here are the rules: Every season, we’ll identify a specific item (e.g., “an oak tree”) for Read more

By Anne Russell, 3 months12/03/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Speaker Series Wildlife

Raptor expert Jaclyn DeSantis warns about dangers hawks, owls and eagles face—from us! See her recorded presentation

On November 19, Jaclyn DeSantis, education program manager at the Ojai Raptor Center presented “Wild Neighbors: Raptors, Rehabilitation, and the Human Connection” as the final talk of 2025 in COSF’s popular Speaker Series. DeSantis is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and she has seen a lot of injured birds during her 15 years Read more

By Anne Russell, 4 months12/01/2025 ago

Accomplishments Environment Plantpalooza Plants Native

Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest is back for 2025, bigger and better than ever

Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest is returning for a fourth year! Please join COSF for our free educational festival featuring dozens of eco-related exhibitors and fun activities for kids. The community event will be held rain or shine on Saturday, October 11, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Lakeside, Read more

By Anne Russell, 6 months09/09/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Photo Contest Current

Summer ‘Four Seasons’ photo contest winner is Mike Moessl—again!

Congratulations are due once again to Mike Moessl, who submitted this photo of a sunrise seen from the Lang Ranch Open Space for our Summer “Four Seasons” photo contest. Mike also won the Spring wildflower challenge with his photo of woolly blue curls. For Autumn ‘Four Seasons’ contest our challenge subject is Read more

By Anne Russell, 7 months09/01/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Speaker Series Wildlife

Wildlife researcher Ellie Bolas reveals the private lives of local mule deer—see her recorded presentation

Visit China Flat, Conejo Canyons, Rancho Sierra Vista or Satwiwa as the sun is rising. Watch in anticipation as it casts delicate morning light on the open canopy of the oak savanna, the frosted tips of wild oats and desiccated sagebrush—and wait. You just might see the unmistakable glimmer of Read more

By Anne Russell, 8 months07/31/2025 ago

COSF 2025 Eco Scholarship winner Isabella Lee

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Scholarships

Update on COSF’s 2025 Eco Scholarship Award

Isabella Lee is COSF’s new 2025 Environmental Studies scholar. Isabella, who graduated from Thousand Oaks High School, replaces Greceldy Hau as the recipient of one of COSF’s two scholarship awards because Greceldy will be pursuing a college major other than environmental studies. Isabella says that her determination to work toward Read more

By Anne Russell, 9 months06/15/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments TED Updates Trails Education Days

The 2025 Trails Education Days writing contest winners; the 2026 event will be April 20 – 23

The 2025 Trails Education Days provided lessons on open space for 1,080 Conejo 4th grade students from all 17 CVUSD elementary schools during the week of April 28. Writing Contest The students who participate in Trails Education Days are invited to enter a letter-writing contest to describe some of the things they Read more

By Steve Clark, 9 months06/13/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments COSCA Environment Trailwork

Watch the video of an Amgen volunteer team haul one ton of trash out of the Arroyo Conejo

On May 2, an enthusiastic team of 15 Amgen staffers joined COSCA Rangers Joe and Kari and COSF President Bill Miller and board member Anne Russell for a morning clean-up at the Arroyo Conejo. The video of the work can be seen below. The Amgen group removed about one ton Read more

By Anne Russell, 10 months ago