Conejo Open Space Foundation

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

Behavioral ecologist Ellie Bolas shared discoveries she has made during her ongoing research concerning mule deer in the Santa Monica Mountains and Conejo Valley as COSF’s third Speaker Series presentation of 2025 on July 9. Bolas’ focus is on the impact of human-caused disturbance to the deer’s habit, including wildfire. Read more…

By Anne Russell, 5 days07/31/2025 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, 2 months06/15/2025 ago

_Special Announcement Environment Speaker Series Wildlife

New Speaker Series talk: Ellie Bolas presents “Lions and Fires and Humans, Oh Deer!”

Please join us for the live online presentation of “Lions and Fires and Humans, Oh Deer!” by ecologist Ellie Bolas. Currently a PhD candidate at the University of California Davis (UCD), Bolas will discuss how mule deer in the Santa Monica Mountains and Conejo Valley navigate a dynamic landscape of Read more…

By Steve Clark, 2 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, 2 months ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Plants Native Speaker Series Video Plants

Forest expert Kim Corella discusses new threat to our Conejo Valley oaks—see her recorded presentation

Kim Corella, who is Cal Fire’s Forest Pathologist with the Forest Entomology and Pathology Program for Southern California, addressed what could be a slow-moving disaster for our Coast Live Oaks in her Speaker Series talk “Oaks in Peril” on April 16. Having served with Cal Fire for the past 17 Read more…

By Anne Russell, 4 months ago

_Special Announcement Environment Scholarships

COSF seeks students for 2025 eco scholarships: Deadline is February 15

Do you know a high-school senior who wants to pursue an environmental studies-related major at a two- or four-year college or university? COSF is looking to award two Conejo Valley or Greater Ventura County college-bound students $1,000 in continuing scholarships, so let them know! Each scholarship recipient will receive up Read more…

By Anne Russell, 8 months ago

Man and children examine pollinator game at UCCE Master Gardeners Plantpalooza booth

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Plantpalooza Plants Native Speaker Series

Third Annual Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest Drew Enthusiastic Crowds

COSF launched Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest in the fall of 2022 with the goal of producing a free outdoor live event to celebrate and support the Conejo Valley’s rich biodiversity. The community festival’s goal is to educate and inspire attendees about native plants, water-wise gardening and more sustainable living. Read more…

By Anne Russell, 10 months10/03/2024 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment Trailwork

The Arroyo Conejo Creek cleanup – volunteers removed truckloads of trash!

The first all-volunteer Arroyo Conejo Creek cleanup, on September 21, resulted in over 20 volunteers removing 2 to 3 tons of trash from the creek; that works out to an average of over 200 lbs. per person! Scroll down to see a photo gallery of people in action. This was Read more…

By Steve Clark, 11 months09/23/2024 ago

_Special Announcement Accomplishments Environment

COSF Supports COSCA’s Arroyo Conejo Cleanup Pilot Project

COSF contributed $10,000 toward the Arroyo Conejo Trash Removal Project, which was completed in August. The final stats on the volume of trash collected are impressive—a whopping 13.4 tons (i.e., 26,800 pounds) of waste was removed by a specialty contractor. COSCA conducted the work as a pilot project and focused efforts on Read more…

By Anne Russell, 11 months09/10/2024 ago