Videos about Native Plants and Animals

Here are some videos we think you’ll enjoy about plants and animals you may encounter along the trails in our open spaces.

Videos about Native Plants

View the recording of Betina Loudermilk’s talk about the plight of the Western monarch butterflies and what you can do to help them survive - For COSF’s summer 2022 Speaker Series virtual presentation on June 8, butterfly educator Betina Loudermilk of Betina’s Little Farm & Butterfly Garden gave a fact-filled presentation about the East and West Coast monarch migrations and lifecycles. She discussed the mysterious… (read more...)
Read the synopsis, then watch the recording of the “Native Plants Demystified” Speaker Series event from October 14, 2021 - Native-plant experts Laura Pasetta, Jenn Rodriguez,  Antonio Sanchez and COSCA Administrator Brian Stark spoke from their extensive knowledge and experience of developing a garden of native Southern California plants. The video recording and a photo gallery can be found below… (read more...)
The Amazing, Versatile Coast Live Oak - 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.… (read more...)
How Well Do You Know and Appreciate Prickly Pear Cactus? - 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… (read more...)
Milkweed and the beautiful Monarch Butterflies are inextricably linked but endangered - 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… (read more...)
Watch the recording of November’s Wildfire Recovery presentation - 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… (read more...)
Beautiful, aromatic white sage is now endangered with its trendy use in burning smudge sticks - 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… (read more...)
All about Black Elderberry Plants – a video - Have you seen elderberry bushes with their purple fruit along the trails? Have you wondered if it’s ever been used as an herbal remedy? As a musical instrument? The Conejo Open Space Foundation is delighted to announce our collaboration with… (read more...)

View all the plant videos…

Videos about Animals

View the recording of Betina Loudermilk’s talk about the plight of the Western monarch butterflies and what you can do to help them survive - For COSF’s summer 2022 Speaker Series virtual presentation on June 8, butterfly educator Betina Loudermilk of Betina’s Little Farm & Butterfly Garden gave a fact-filled presentation about the East and West Coast monarch migrations and lifecycles. She discussed the mysterious… (read more...)
Wildlife-friendly tips from the California Wildlife Center and the video “Wildlife in Our Neighborhood” presented by Jenn Guess - Jenn Guess gave her COSF audience a very enthusiastic and spirited talk to address common ways wild animals get injured and end up at the California Wildlife Center for rehabilitation, where she works. The CWC receives 30,000 phone calls a… (read more...)
Watch the recording of the talk: Changes in Bird Populations due to Urbanization over 25 Years - Dr. Daniel Cooper, who spoke to us via Zoom on Thursday evening June 10th, gave a scholarly presentation of his research into the changes of bird populations over the past few decades due to expanding urban areas. He finds that… (read more...)
Some Native Animals of Ventura County - 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,… (read more...)
Watch the recording of the 101 Freeway wildlife crossing talk: its need and current status - “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… (read more...)
Milkweed and the beautiful Monarch Butterflies are inextricably linked but endangered - 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… (read more...)
“Challenges for humans and wildlife coexisting in a developing world” can now be viewed online - The Zoom presentation by Jessica Sanchez, MS, DVM, on July 30th, 2020, is now available for viewing. Her talk was part of the Conejo Open Space Foundation speaker series. This one was via Zoom video because public gatherings are not… (read more...)
The story of ground bees – a video - The spring of 2020 has been a banner season for ground bees in the Conejo Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains and probably everywhere in Southern California. Here's a brief video that explains the lives of these docile creatures. Native Bees… (read more...)

View all the animal videos…