[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6555572,"mediaKeyId","3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb","parentId",3309948,"title","COSCA details wildfire safety work: Firewise growth, home hardening pilot, invasive‑species fuel reduction","audioSeconds",863,"startMs",4330000,"endMs",5193000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb&start=4330&end=5193","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb/thumbnail_4330000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6555572/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/COSCA-details-wildfire-safety-work-Firewise-growth-home-hardening-pilot-invasivespecies-fuel-reduction","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555572-ff7c876fafb7e64d639a56ba4f6b01d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201944&Signature=VSyeqWdZ~UeZQRdXHvwAF~O5RBezHTagZETEwkR5210xjBaUQ4CXG411rpl8imSfeq0BwScY-T7oCUUogtx~IfCyKg8kbh7hm50rTBdY5J9f0gf7Msl0c7PYDLI2InU04vUNVnY6cdMPpSfSJAE5j~NdtjnE4TbIl~0U1YZ5DRy7ZuZssxpfD3Tj30-o21PRhjDw0wKHcsKx6b73IXvs5QGRMVNymPJRrE~Ns3Sh3E0BBjrepEk~DPHfmVVZmjqiTcMwni3OLG0LpryB9OizMau4C51Sw5kL-OGSLf-VsBLI8CFU5c6ViR~h5spxeOdpD3zB5WceLzaFinG2usMxPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-15T14:49:04Z","article","COSCA staff gave a verbal update on the agency's wildfire safety and fuels‑management programs, summarizing activities since 2020 including community outreach, home hardening inspections, neighborhood Firewise outreach and invasive species fuel reduction projects.

Staff said a 2020 direct‑mail campaign distributed about 17,000 mailers with home hardening information and COSCA funded 11 free home‑hardening assessments for low‑income seniors as a pilot, which included vent screening and vegetation removal. COSCA has worked with the Ventura Regional Fire Safe Council to support Firewise USA community certifications; staff said Thousand Oaks had one Firewise community when they began and now has 14.

The agency also described on‑the‑ground fuel management: removal of invasive Arundo donax and juvenile Mexican fan palms in Arroyo Conejo, road and drainage repairs in Lang Ranch to improve first‑responder access, and an annual partnership program with the City of Thousand Oaks and Conejo Recreation and Park District that treats roughly 380 acres per year for defensible‑space fuels management. Staff said the work supports water‑quality and habitat goals and that removal of invasive plants has ecological benefits as natives reestablish.

Board members asked about ranger and contractor roles, the relationship to Ventura County Fire requirements for defensible space and regional funding opportunities. Staff said contractors perform most fuels work with COSCA and partner staff providing oversight; COSCA maintains a consistent 100‑foot defensible‑space approach around its perimeter and coordinates with fire and conservancy partners on grants and workforce development.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","COSCA Board Special Meeting - May 14, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","COSCA staff updated the board on wildfire safety efforts including mailers and home‑hardening inspections, a pilot to harden low‑income seniors' homes, Firewise community outreach (now 14 communities), invasive species removal along Arroyo Conejo and a partnership that manages ~380 acres of fuels.","taxTitle","Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California","taxId",4670,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6555577,"COSCA appoints four members and three alternates to Trails Action Committee",461,1166000,1627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb&start=1166&end=1627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb/thumbnail_1166000.jpg","/articles/6555577/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/COSCA-appoints-four-members-and-three-alternates-to-Trails-Action-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555577-1c56e5812d363ec28c07c688814ada59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201944&Signature=RpmiEw7paBF6imrSbx9TgNtzBQ9KmkTfVPftslRBU1j99W8J-mdZn2OxqXk3JOPcrHN4RT0fpMG3iJhPrmVxXtLV3YL~ObPFqpdMSCT0jEVVJTI3n6SK1VPwRibhNBa7D5~RApBzBiUdUH5bIk18rupmdJmGmANNCv7mWxcGjXVpfIPrSbA5K-wmSRal6IPrJkIpVWjCo6tJm8GUEUXWg4a14uwP2EAtgrrcY5BNQOYO7H5cDaZKf6q2iw81ubKTRxiCiAkRFy5pNkoD0o5jnJ6sRM6h25pTfUfODFtDGCOKzKmwaMn1UifBP781uWKAOConI4hKIXjb0phJJvElPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency approved the 2025 appointments to the Trails Action Committee, reappointing incumbents Doug Baker, Susan Baucus and Kira Krakowski and appointing Monique Baker as a new member. The board also approved alternates Ryan Leddy, Jessica Minucci and Rachel Weitz.

COSCA staff reported the recruitment period produced 10 applications during the 30‑day window, including three from incumbents. Nine applicants were interviewed; one withdrew. The nomination subcommittee recommended the four members and three alternates after interviews. Staff described volunteers' past contributions to trail workdays, TrailWatch and trail education events.

Director Nichols asked whether COSCA conducts outreach to equestrian groups; staff said they publicize vacancies broadly and have previously contacted local equestrian organizations but have seen declining equestrian participation. The board approved staff recommendations by roll call vote, 5‑0.

Staff said the appointments are administrative and not a project under CEQA.","COSCA reappointed three incumbents and appointed one new member plus three alternates to the 2025 Trails Action Committee.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6555582,"COSCA adopts updated volunteer manual; adds Trail Ambassadors and background checks for certain leadership roles",1137,3179000,4316000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb&start=3179&end=4316","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb/thumbnail_3179000.jpg","/articles/6555582/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/COSCA-adopts-updated-volunteer-manual-adds-Trail-Ambassadors-and-background-checks-for-certain-leadership-roles","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555582-e1be664abb56b7a0d568774493b3c433/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201944&Signature=YAfaNAeM0JptgwfNIstWcFRZ88irN93VFCnvoLakVLoT8uOPWafqw8N~zcUA3sU6v7cbSAnT41mi2ZYm9p3i14uawpnrpJZ8cAtHoF7yjbaIndQYp6rreko9igMUqp11zRJHUvszDzq7xsrOwx07j2CYLLfYssmrUodl22P2YcwKNTFMgMwVS3CPUJMYX10R2I05m0~XwRlkZkKXjJtFlLJTnDThOq2WSv8XT6J1TX~3g-UXYMVrpZl-EyAFsrxXaLko9HpCQK7dThSzhtozArRpxtJ6N7RwFwWJ~2ogiM5zerFsRbEZb1pDPJFa4nBFxnVFiDsISZVORbZeC8mVBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency adopted an updated 2025 volunteer manual intended to align volunteer management with COSCA's current oversight capacity and add a Trail Ambassadors program. The board approved the manual and granted the COSCA secretary authority to correct non‑substantive typographic errors.

Staff described the Trail Ambassadors as a relaunch and expansion of a former trail patrol program: trained volunteers who will assist visitors, report issues to rangers and increase COSCA presence on trails. The updated manual also adds a volunteer code of ethics, a program harassment policy and background checks (live scan) for volunteer positions that lead other volunteers or work unsupervised with the public.

Board members discussed registration and waivers. Staff said volunteers generally provide contact information and may opt into a volunteer database managed in partnership with the Conejo Open Space Foundation; however, event waivers remain event‑specific at present. Staff said casual volunteers are welcome and that some volunteer positions that supervise others will require additional screening.

Directors praised the manual as an administrative update that captures program changes and will be posted on COSCA's website for public access. The board approved the recommendations, 5‑0.","COSCA adopted a 2025 volunteer manual that formalizes programs, adds a Trail Ambassadors role, incorporates a volunteer code of ethics and a harassment policy, and requires background checks for volunteer positions that supervise others; board authorized staff to correct typographical errors.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6555587,"COSCA approves up to $285,000 contract for Arroyo Conejo trash removal phase 2; Thousand Oaks to contribute $250,000",164,2146000,2310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb&start=2146&end=2310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb/thumbnail_2146000.jpg","/articles/6555587/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/COSCA-approves-up-to-285000-contract-for-Arroyo-Conejo-trash-removal-phase-2-Thousand-Oaks-to-contribute-250000","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555587-185a982c10f0395edfbd1bc800b8206a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201944&Signature=NCIQ8CwheJ7Z7Z06M6dtQfzKaPvYlfyPjECB20NU4PXDUaPBAW7M9QoWv6SEsEmC5BHj1KCsoICeAW4F83Q6H-1D9XXlVV3uqXYuepJs4Jl~qKqPx1RFKusnKQP-qJOle93eQJeTXOcbEOHc8ovrgUDaOShmfWutcpELbW2N-3AyVaqW-gTp9MF59~9KkRBQWt7kqg7FZdXjROUu1Ku9oFLxEEQUjjf9V8dc8uLJQWEY8ACwcLMtjg4gjX6I5x2iWDKcCVf2iJ0~DEAdvABcbWNuSf5jJ7jXr2mM6qqXkG1uLZELjw2j3WWEm4MKQJTV7tbFWx2DnxyZTarIUZPKNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency approved a contract award for Phase 2 of the Arroyo Conejo trash removal project, authorizing a not‑to‑exceed amount of $285,000 for Woods Maintenance Services and approving a $35,000 appropriation from COSCA's Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund to complete project funding.

Staff summarized results from Phase 1, saying an earlier cleanup removed about 13.4 tons of trash at a cost of $87,400. Based on that experience COSCA released a request for proposals for a larger area; the Phase 2 scope described in the packet covers a corridor roughly 75 feet from each bank over approximately 4,300 feet in length in widened, flatter downstream reaches. \"The first phase of the project used a narrower corridor ... As we move down into this area, it does flatten out and widen quite a bit,\" COSCA staff explained during the presentation.

The city of Thousand Oaks has budgeted $250,000 toward the project; COSCA staff recommended covering the $35,000 shortfall from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund, which the board approved. Staff described the contract as non‑hazardous debris removal: crews will pick up hand‑removable trash and small bulky items, bag material and haul it to roadways for removal. COSCA staff said larger hazardous cleanups or occupied encampments are handled under separate contracts and with the involvement of the Thousand Oaks Police Department and resource officers.

Board members asked about scope, access and how personal possessions from unhoused residents would be handled; staff said COSCA follows city procedures, works with TOPD resource officers to avoid cleaning active occupied encampments during operations, and that personal items removed would be stored off‑site and made available for later retrieval when appropriate. Staff also noted Phase 2 ties into larger invasive species removal and stream restoration work that is winding down in some reaches.

The board approved the contract and appropriation by roll call vote, 5‑0.","COSCA authorized a contract award for Phase 2 of the Arroyo Conejo creek cleanup to remove decades of accumulated trash in a widened corridor; the city budgeted $250,000 and COSCA will provide a $35,000 appropriation from the Woolsey Fire Recovery Fund.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6555592,"COSCA accepts three Thousand Oaks open‑space parcels totaling 7.14 acres",178,1638000,1816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb&start=1638&end=1816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3309948-e2746c22ed89a9ab8cc4b6cb94065ebb/thumbnail_1638000.jpg","/articles/6555592/Thousand-Oaks/Ventura-County/California/COSCA-accepts-three-Thousand-Oaks-openspace-parcels-totaling-714-acres","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6555592-bad317b47c305333fd3c3afed508df0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771201944&Signature=Nof1hN~N9k10swbf0U2Bd8U4W8voD6eTJBda-qskt1PpDFrAeIUDQmuAv3jmpoVJl-xtHgD5gbLrD-Z0amVkuSUn5jqEz56M8jPoo7DBFnqwyWGaIqbpjrzymxYBV7eRqE0vDThrsDZ15UDw-8fn9otkf~JbBERy9sAcMha~ReDRzdnxpTkfpwjj4i~yF62tGR-RHlE399lfAtuwKCSXzaC4yD1oTbw4mbUoWWjvaJtaf54GMLMK2NAAKbG9EY0yUOKEA0YcEr4Sjk8BagNX82zYYVxfe8wX63iJ8eGi--CLMaOmCvSwrVNtsfGmJ4Ac-Glh8Zjq3~~zKWZz8s4~oA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency voted unanimously to accept three open‑space parcels totaling 7.14 acres from the City of Thousand Oaks and authorized staff to complete the transfer and record deeds.

Staff said the parcels include about 0.75 acre in the Skyline Open Space, 4.46 acres in the McRae Open Space and 1.93 acres in the Arroyo Conejo Open Space, and that title will initially be held by the city when acquired with the Community Recreation Facilities and Open Space Acquisition and Maintenance Endowment Fund (CROSF) before transfer to COSCA for long‑term management. \"These proposed properties for transfer all contain land with conservation value and are free of known title defects,\" COSCA staff said during the presentation.

COSCA staff recommended the board find the transfer categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act and adopt a resolution accepting the parcels for COSCA management. The board approved the recommendation by roll call vote, 5‑0.

Board members discussed limited public access for the parcels. COSCA staff said the Arroyo Conejo parcel could allow a future trail connection under the agency's trail master plan but cautioned that such a connection would be a larger project and is not part of the current transfer. Staff said the Skyline and North Moore Park Road parcels are primarily wildlife habitat and scenic gateway land.

The action implements goals cited in the Thousand Oaks general plan and COSCA's strategic plan, staff said. The board authorized the chief administrative officer to execute all documents necessary to accept and record the property transfers.","The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency voted unanimously to accept three parcels totaling 7.14 acres from the City of Thousand Oaks for management as open space under COSCA.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

COSCA details wildfire safety work: Firewise growth, home hardening pilot, invasive‑species fuel reduction

COSCA appoints four members and three alternates to Trails Action Committee

COSCA adopts updated volunteer manual; adds Trail Ambassadors and background checks for certain leadership roles

COSCA approves up to $285,000 contract for Arroyo Conejo trash removal phase 2; Thousand Oaks to contribute $250,000

COSCA accepts three Thousand Oaks open‑space parcels totaling 7.14 acres