We at the Conejo Open Space Foundation have put together a 16-minute video for youngsters about some of our native animals. The Animal Actors of Hollywood showed us some of their stars. Students can meet and learn about a Raccoon, Opossum, Gopher Snake, Porcupine, Great Horned Owl, Desert Tortoise and Read more…
“Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network in more than 193 countries,” according to Wikipedia. The article continues, in part, “On January 28, Read more…
You’ve probably noticed that we haven’t had much rain so far this year. Rainfall in most of Ventura County has totaled less than 3 inches, which is less than a third of what we normally would have gotten. That doesn’t bode well for the spring wildflower bloom, says Anna Huber, Read more…
“Wow. Beth is even better than I had hoped!!!” That was one response to March 11th presentation on the need for the 101 Freeway wildlife crossing bridge. The Zoom webinar was given by Beth Pratt, the Executive Director of the National Wildlife Federation for California. 215 people registered for the Read more…
While hiking over our local hills and through canyons, you’ve undoubtedly been awed by a canopy of coast live oaks or seen one perched majestically on a hillside. They’re tough, hardy drought resistant trees that can live for 250 years. You may have seen branches growing out of burned trunks Read more…
We’ve all seen prickly pear cactus on sunny, rocky slopes and, hopefully, you haven’t accidentally fallen or backed into their spiny pads. Did you know those sharp spines are not only for defense, but also act as modified leaves? The fruit of the prickly pear cactus is nutritious and good Read more…
Fennel is an invasive non-native plant that can grow in grasslands, chaparral and alongside creeks. It can grow so dense that it complete excludes native plants and the animals and insects that rely on them. In normal years COSCA organizes groups of volunteers to remove fennel from the open space Read more…
This is the time of year we can spot the monarch butterflies migrating to their winter homes and also a good time to learn more about why the narrow leaf milkweed is the most important plant for monarchs. We often see milkweed in sunny areas near our trails, but do Read more…
National Park Service wildfire ecologist Dr. Marti Witter gave a fantastically interesting and informative talk, “Fire History, Climate Change, and Wildfire Recovery in the Santa Monica Mountains” on November 12th. The Zoom presentation is now available for viewing. Her talk was the finale of the Conejo Open Space Foundation speaker Read more…
White sage is considered sacred and still used by indigenous peoples for medical and ceremonial purposes, but did you know it’s now becoming endangered? While hiking along a local trail, it’s likely we’ve stopped and enjoyed the wonderful aroma of white sage that’s common on sunny hillsides and in chaparral Read more…