City Seeks Suppliers for Tree Planting Program

Thousand Oaks officials are seeking local landscape contractors and nurseries to participate in a citywide tree planting program during July and August.

The program is funded by a Small Business Administration grant of $80,400, which will be broken into smaller awards to local nurseries and contractors, said John Prescott, principal planner for Thousand Oaks. The funds will be used to pay for labor and trees from local suppliers.

More than 200 coast live oaks, aleppo pines and California pepper trees will be planted at Los Robles Golf Course, at the interchange of the Ventura and Moorpark freeways, and at 10 reservoir sites in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park, said Mark Towne, a city assistant planner and a staff member of the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency.

“Our overall goal is to beautify the Conejo Valley,” Towne said. “These trees were chosen because they are drought-tolerant and they fit into the natural landscape.” Towne said the trees will help to disguise reservoirs, clean the air, protect the soil, reduce temperatures and shelter wildlife.

The program will be implemented by six city public works employees who are certified arborists. The project will involve eight to 10 local small businesses, defined under grant guidelines as those with fewer than 100 employees.

Plant nurseries and licensed landscape contractors interested in providing materials and labor for the program should submit a letter of interest by Friday to Towne at Thousand Oaks City Hall, 2150 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks 91320.

After review by city staff, approved contractors and nursery owners will be invited to submit bids. For more information, contact Towne at 497-8611, ext. 447.