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Board authorizes 50‑acre prescribed grazing pilot at Rancho Potrero to aid grassland restoration
Summary
The agency authorized a high‑density, short‑duration prescribed grazing pilot on 50 acres of Rancho Potrero to reduce invasive annual grass thatch, encourage native perennial bunchgrass, and reduce fine fuels; staff estimated roughly $55,000 per season and said grant funding will support initial seasons.
The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency authorized a prescribed-grazing pilot on a 50‑acre portion of the 303‑acre Rancho Potrero open space to reduce invasive annual grasses and thatch, promote native perennial bunchgrasses, improve habitat for raptors and ground‑nesting birds, and reduce fine fuels.
Staff said prescribed grazing (sheep or goats) was selected over broad herbicide applications and mechanical mowing because grazing removes thatch with less soil disturbance and converts biomass to nutrient pellets that remain on site. The agency has a two‑season grant from the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy to support the initial work, staff said.
On logistics, staff told the board that contractors will provide temporary fencing and determine animal-unit days per acre to meet performance metrics. The board discussed protecting newly planted oaks and other sensitive seedlings; staff said the RFP and project prescriptions will identify areas to exclude or protect and that monitoring and adaptive management will guide grazing intensity.
Staff estimated a single‑season cost for the 50‑acre pilot at about $55,000 and described the effort as a test case intended to produce a replicable prescription for other sites if successful. The board voted to authorize staff to prepare an RFP and proceed; the motion passed 4–0 (Director Sullivan absent).
