Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rangers report storm damage, volunteer work and possible gold‑spotted oak borer; TOPD praised for e‑motorcycle enforcement
Summary
COSCA rangers described extensive wet‑season damage and limited access, reported 1,257 volunteer hours in 2025, and flagged possible gold‑spotted oak borer activity pending Cal Fire inspection; the board also noted recent e‑bike safety outreach and thanked Thousand Oaks Police Department for enforcement of illegal e‑motorcycles.
Rangers and staff told the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency on Jan. 24 that an unusually wet winter has caused widespread trail saturation, downed trees and erosion, leaving many areas difficult or unsafe to access.
Staff reported that volunteers logged 1,257 hours in 2025 through TrailWatch and Adopt‑a‑Trail programs; rangers have planted more than 75 native plants and installed new bridges and signage as part of recent maintenance work. Staff also described community events, including an e‑bike safety rodeo at Redwood Middle School on Jan. 24 that drew dozens of families.
On pest concerns, staff reported possible gold‑spotted oak borer (GSOB) activity based on field observations of D‑shaped exit holes in a fallen tree; a Cal Fire forest pathologist was scheduled to inspect the tree the week after the meeting. Staff emphasized coordination with the city, Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) and the county agricultural commissioner to document and monitor any infestation and to develop treatment or removal protocols. The board asked staff to await Cal Fire confirmation before publicizing specific locations.
General Manager Friedel and other board members thanked the Thousand Oaks Police Department for stepped‑up enforcement of out‑of‑class e‑motorcycles; staff said the department has begun impoundings for vehicles that are not legal for trail or park use.
Board members discussed outreach and coordination steps if Cal Fire confirms GSOB presence, including a coordinated public information strategy and shared monitoring protocols across agencies.
The agency will continue monitoring storm damage, prioritize public safety and finalize coordination with Cal Fire and other partners before broader public outreach on the borer detections.
