Rancho Potrero Prescribed Grazing Project

The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (“COSCA” or the “Agency”) is soliciting proposals from qualified contractors to design and implement a managed grazing program on an approximately 50-acre section of Agency-managed open space in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California. The purpose of the program is to use prescribed livestock grazing as a restoration tool: first to remove accumulated annual-grass thatch, and then, over the successive season(s), to suppress non-native annual grasses and shift the competitive balance in favor of native perennial bunchgrasses. This is a habitat-restoration grazing project, not a forage or vegetation-management-for-hire arrangement. The Agency seeks a contractor whose grazing operation is oriented toward ecological outcomes and who can demonstrate direct experience applying managed grazing for conservation or habitat-restoration purposes. The successful proposer will be expected to bring both livestock-management expertise and an understanding of California grassland ecology to the project.

The Agency is relying on the proposer to recommend the specific grazing prescription; including animal type, stocking rate, timing, intensity, confinement method, and adaptive-management approach that will most reliably achieve those outcomes on this site. Desired outcomes are listed in the Scope of Work.

COSCA is a joint-powers agency formed by the City of Thousand Oaks and Conejo Recreation and Park District to acquire and manage community open space to protect and enhance natural resources and provide passive recreation opportunities. This project is located on COSCA's Rancho Potrero Open Space located on Lynn Rd. in the Dos Vientos neighborhood. The overarching project goal is to advance a long-term transition from a non-native, annual-grass-dominated area toward a grassland with a meaningful and increasing component of native perennial bunchgrasses. Specific objectives are reduction in existing annual grass thatch, annual grass suppression, native bunchgrass recovery, and soil and resource protection.