Conejo Open Space Foundation – Help us to support your local open space
Preserve, Promote, and Protect the Open Space The Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation formed in 1995 to promote, support and help maintain the open space and trail system of the Conejo Valley, and to educate visitors as to their roles as custodians and protectors of the open space and the environment. We support and help fund ongoing programs sponsored by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA). We are funded through individual, business, and corporate memberships, donations and grants. Funds received by COSF are highly leveraged through the extensive use of unpaid community volunteers and other in-kind donations.
Educate We volunteer to protect and preserve our precious open space. One great way to do this is by educating the youth of our community. Interested in working with Conejo Valley fourth graders? Join us at our next Trails Education Days.
Fund Raise The Conejo Open Space Foundation raises funds for many outdoor projects, such as the bridge crossing in Hill Canyon, Bike Bells, and Trails Education Days. Support our efforts by becoming a member or making a donation at our Membership page.
Volunteer The Conejo open space wouldn’t be the same without the hundreds of people who give their time and energy. The COSCA volunteer corps offers many ways to stay involved in the open space. Join us and make a difference today!
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Latest Updates (View all the updates.)
Alicia Di Rado is the winner of the August ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest! (8/8/2022) - The August 1 "Where in the Conejo" contest photo featured a hairstreak butterfly feeding on buckwheat flowers while a bee assassin captured a honeybee. Of the correct entrants, Alicia Di Rado was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations, Alicia, and thanks to all who entered! Although it may appear that the three insects' activities are related, it's unlikely the gray hairstreak butterfly is aware of the lurking bee assassin. The hairstreak is in the family of small gossamer-winged butterflies, which also includes the marine blue—one of the possible answers offered. The bee assassin… (read more...)
Come Visit COSF’s Family-friendly Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest October 1! (8/7/2022) - This free educational event with dozens of eco-related exhibitors will have lots of fun activities for the kids! Hosted by the Conejo Open Space Foundation on Saturday October 1, it will take place in Thousand Oaks at the Lakeside Pavilion area of the Conejo Creek North Park, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The first-time festival’s exhibitors include butterfly experts from Betina’s Little Farm and Butterfly Garden, beekeepers from the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association, noted wildflower painter and author Stacy Ruda Best, the garden clubs of Westlake Village and Conejo Valley, Poison Free Conejo, and many more. Exhibitors will… (read more...)
Monarch butterflies now listed as endangered: What we can all do to help them (7/25/2022) - The migratory monarch butterfly has been added to the endangered species 'Red List' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in mid-July 2022. This colorful butterfly is known for its spectacular migration of up to 2,500 miles from Mexico to Canada, taking several generations to complete the route. During their lifespan, most butterflies only experience part of the migration. The migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus), a subspecies of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), travels from its summer breeding grounds, which may be as far north as Canada, to overwinter at sites in Mexico. The Western population is… (read more...)
Christine Elowitt is the winner of the July ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest! (7/8/2022) - The July 1 Where in the Conejo contest photo was of the Santa Rosa Trail in Wildwood Park. Of the correct entrants, Christine was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Christine and thanks to all who entered the contest! The Santa Rosa Trail is in the northern part of Wildwood, crossing the northern side of Mount Clef Ridge and overlooking the Santa Rosa Valley. It connects to the Lower Santa Rosa Trail by way of the Shooting Star Trail that was constructed during Trail Work Days in 2010. The Santa Rosa Trail also connects… (read more...)
It’s New Map Monday! Los Robles East, White Horse Canyon, Los Padres Figure Eight Loop (6/20/2022) - Highlights Beautiful oak forest at the bottom of Los Padres Trail Great views of Thousand Oaks and more from Los Robles Overlook More remote White Horse Canyon and Brookview Trails have few visitors and great views Description This is a moderately strenuous 8.5 mile double loop, with a total elevation gain/loss of about 1300 feet. Starting at the Moorpark Rd. trailhead, this hike is actually two big counterclockwise loops covering the eastern portion of Los Robles Trail, the northern end of White Horse Canyon, and Los Padres Trail. From the Los Padres Trailhead, there is a short jaunt along the… (read more...)
2022 Summer COSF Newsletter (6/16/2022) - The Summer edition of the Conejo Open Space Foundation newsletter has been posted. In this edition…Environmental studies scholarship winners : The "Monarch Miracle" report on our latest speaker and video recording : Trails Education Days for 4th grade students are back : Spotlight on Giancarlo Hamner : And more... View the Summer Conejo Open Space Newsletter. (read more...)
Bill Brenden is our new winner of ‘Where in the Conejo’! (6/8/2022) - The June 1 "Where in the Conejo" contest photo featured the detritus under an owl's nest or frequent perching spot, including several rodent skulls and a disintegrating owl pellet (upper right). Of the correct entrants, Bill Brenden was selected at random… (read more...)
It’s New Map Monday! Conejo Canyons – Hill & Hawk Canyons Dirt Roads (6/6/2022) - Highlights Probably the easiest route in the Conejo Valley 100% dirt roads with a very gentle slope and no steep cross-slopes Good for people who are just starting to take up hiking or mountain biking Out-and-back route ends in a… (read more...)
It’s New Map Monday: Los Padres to White Horse Canyon via Los Robles East (5/30/2022) - Highlights Beautiful oak forest at the bottom of Los Padres Trail View of Lake Sherwood with the Sherwood Country Club and Hidden Valley in the distance Description This is a strenuous 7.7 mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain/loss of… (read more...)
Conejo Open Space Challenge !6-day warning! and photo gallery (5/25/2022) - The Conejo Open Space Challenge ends on May 31, only six days from now. If you haven't finished yet, now is the time to pick up the pace. These photos from some of the participants may inspire you to get… (read more...)
The latest winner for the ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest is Edward Haverly! (5/8/2022) - The May 1 Where in the Conejo Contest photo was of the recently built amphitheater in the Rancho Conejo Open Space. Of the correct entrants, Edward was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Edward… (read more...)
COSF produces a new video for Trails Education Days (5/7/2022) - COSF has produced an new high-definition video that Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) fourth grade students watch to get valuable preparation and background information for Trails Education Days. The video that has been in use since 2008 has been… (read more...)
Alicia Di Rado is the winner of the August ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest! (8/8/2022) - The August 1 "Where in the Conejo" contest photo featured a hairstreak butterfly feeding on buckwheat flowers while a bee assassin captured a honeybee. Of the correct entrants, Alicia Di Rado was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations, Alicia, and thanks to all who entered! Although it may appear that the three insects' activities are related, it's unlikely the gray hairstreak butterfly is aware of the lurking bee assassin. The hairstreak is in the family of small gossamer-winged butterflies, which also includes the marine blue—one of the possible answers offered. The bee assassin… (read more...) Come Visit COSF’s Family-friendly Native Plantpalooza & Eco Fest October 1! (8/7/2022) - This free educational event with dozens of eco-related exhibitors will have lots of fun activities for the kids! Hosted by the Conejo Open Space Foundation on Saturday October 1, it will take place in Thousand Oaks at the Lakeside Pavilion area of the Conejo Creek North Park, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The first-time festival’s exhibitors include butterfly experts from Betina’s Little Farm and Butterfly Garden, beekeepers from the Los Angeles County Beekeeping Association, noted wildflower painter and author Stacy Ruda Best, the garden clubs of Westlake Village and Conejo Valley, Poison Free Conejo, and many more. Exhibitors will… (read more...) Monarch butterflies now listed as endangered: What we can all do to help them (7/25/2022) - The migratory monarch butterfly has been added to the endangered species 'Red List' by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in mid-July 2022. This colorful butterfly is known for its spectacular migration of up to 2,500 miles from Mexico to Canada, taking several generations to complete the route. During their lifespan, most butterflies only experience part of the migration. The migratory monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus plexippus), a subspecies of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), travels from its summer breeding grounds, which may be as far north as Canada, to overwinter at sites in Mexico. The Western population is… (read more...) Christine Elowitt is the winner of the July ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest! (7/8/2022) - The July 1 Where in the Conejo contest photo was of the Santa Rosa Trail in Wildwood Park. Of the correct entrants, Christine was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Christine and thanks to all who entered the contest! The Santa Rosa Trail is in the northern part of Wildwood, crossing the northern side of Mount Clef Ridge and overlooking the Santa Rosa Valley. It connects to the Lower Santa Rosa Trail by way of the Shooting Star Trail that was constructed during Trail Work Days in 2010. The Santa Rosa Trail also connects… (read more...) It’s New Map Monday! Los Robles East, White Horse Canyon, Los Padres Figure Eight Loop (6/20/2022) - Highlights Beautiful oak forest at the bottom of Los Padres Trail Great views of Thousand Oaks and more from Los Robles Overlook More remote White Horse Canyon and Brookview Trails have few visitors and great views Description This is a moderately strenuous 8.5 mile double loop, with a total elevation gain/loss of about 1300 feet. Starting at the Moorpark Rd. trailhead, this hike is actually two big counterclockwise loops covering the eastern portion of Los Robles Trail, the northern end of White Horse Canyon, and Los Padres Trail. From the Los Padres Trailhead, there is a short jaunt along the… (read more...) 2022 Summer COSF Newsletter (6/16/2022) - The Summer edition of the Conejo Open Space Foundation newsletter has been posted. In this edition…Environmental studies scholarship winners : The "Monarch Miracle" report on our latest speaker and video recording : Trails Education Days for 4th grade students are back : Spotlight on Giancarlo Hamner : And more... View the Summer Conejo Open Space Newsletter. (read more...) Bill Brenden is our new winner of ‘Where in the Conejo’! (6/8/2022) - The June 1 "Where in the Conejo" contest photo featured the detritus under an owl's nest or frequent perching spot, including several rodent skulls and a disintegrating owl pellet (upper right). Of the correct entrants, Bill Brenden was selected at random… (read more...) It’s New Map Monday! Conejo Canyons – Hill & Hawk Canyons Dirt Roads (6/6/2022) - Highlights Probably the easiest route in the Conejo Valley 100% dirt roads with a very gentle slope and no steep cross-slopes Good for people who are just starting to take up hiking or mountain biking Out-and-back route ends in a… (read more...) It’s New Map Monday: Los Padres to White Horse Canyon via Los Robles East (5/30/2022) - Highlights Beautiful oak forest at the bottom of Los Padres Trail View of Lake Sherwood with the Sherwood Country Club and Hidden Valley in the distance Description This is a strenuous 7.7 mile out-and-back hike with an elevation gain/loss of… (read more...) Conejo Open Space Challenge !6-day warning! and photo gallery (5/25/2022) - The Conejo Open Space Challenge ends on May 31, only six days from now. If you haven't finished yet, now is the time to pick up the pace. These photos from some of the participants may inspire you to get… (read more...) The latest winner for the ‘Where in the Conejo’ photo contest is Edward Haverly! (5/8/2022) - The May 1 Where in the Conejo Contest photo was of the recently built amphitheater in the Rancho Conejo Open Space. Of the correct entrants, Edward was selected at random as the winner of a $25 gift certificate. Congratulations Edward… (read more...) COSF produces a new video for Trails Education Days (5/7/2022) - COSF has produced an new high-definition video that Conejo Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) fourth grade students watch to get valuable preparation and background information for Trails Education Days. The video that has been in use since 2008 has been… (read more...)