Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

Quick FAQ to answer the questions we're getting with links to more information: #madronamarsh The Madrona Marsh Preserve is open Tues - Fri, 10 AM to 3 PM and Sat, 10 AM to 4PM. Regular COVID restrictions are in place. http://bit.ly/3cfINzv Applications for volunteer Marsh Ambassadors (Entrance gate, Nature Center reception) are now being taken (see link). Other volunteer activities are still suspended but will be returning over time as conditions permit. Keep your eye o...n this page for announcements. https://www.torranceca.gov//volunteer-opportunities-covid- The Marsh is 100% dependent on rainfall for its water supply. Stormwater runoff from the surrounding area is collected in the Sump, cleaned of pollutants by the Sump plants, then pumped into the ponds. A minimum amount of water is kept in the Sump to keep the plants alive. The Nature Center (the building) is closed to the public but our phone and email are still staffed with real live people. The Native Garden, which surrounds the building, is always open. We have our very own weather station: https://bit.ly/2NEaN5n From our readers: There's a Port-a-Potty located in the center of the Preserve near the sheds. https://bit.ly/3dCQ4Z7 The official Preserve map ("Where's Chevron Corner?") can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/MMMapPDFfile Are there any other answers that should be in this FAQ? Complete and detailed information here: https://friendsofmadronamarsh.com/

Here are the latest (May 20, 2021) aerial survey photos from Sky Ladder Drones. Sky Ladder donates these surveys which give the Nature Center staff and local university researchers a terrific overview of current conditions and how they change over time. Thank you Sky Ladder for the surveys! A giant version of the 360 photo is available here: https://momento360.com/e/u/f308b011d280499589d63f2083df43f3 Sky Ladder Drones is a commercial UAS service provider headquartered in Torrance, CA specializing in drone mapping, construction progress photos, asset inspection (both visual and thermal), and training. #madronamarsh #TorranceCA

Scenes and notes from the Preserve, May 21, 2021. Beautiful day, baby lizards soon, unusual birds.

Scenes and notes from the Preserve, May 18, 2021. One cute bunny, the clumsy hawk, lush landscape. #madronamarsh #TorranceCA

Open volunteer positions at the Preserve (inside the Nature Center too!) - check it out: https://www.torranceca.gov//volunteer-opportunities-covid-

Scenes and notes from the Preserve, May 13, 2021. Less water, more flowers, Ms. Bluebird. #madronamarsh #TorranceCA

Virtual Friday Fun has entered the pupa stage and will be taking a break for a few weeks. Expect to see something different emerging after the break. Details to be announced.

Madrona Marsh status. A little more water, not much wind damage. #madronamarsh

Hi Families, This week for "Virtual Friday Fun" we will be learning about Wiggly Worms. Earthworms are some of the smaller animals that live underground. They come to the surface at night to find dead leaves and more to bring down into there tunnels. They also come to the surface when there tunnels get flooded. We should find lots of evidence of worms after the rains. Storytime will feature "Yucky Worms" by Vivian French. Click on the link below to register. All families wit...h a waiver on file should receive a link to the class on Wednesday afternoon. https://us02web.zoom.us//tZ0scOuhqz4rH904z8XfeHBEq6QlA--8y See you Friday, Cindy Reid

We're working on getting the critter cams operational again - we can't give any promises whatsoever. The winds today just blew down a camera. But this clip of our night "security patrol" was just too cute not to post. #madronamarsh

American Coots are a little weird, they're equally adapted to forage for food on the water or on the shore. Their feet aren't webbed like a duck but have little flaps that can fold away when walking on land. (Jan 19, 2021 photos) #madronamarsh https://www.audubon.org//better-know-bird-american-coot-an

Everyone cross your fingers, we're going to have a wet week. In a good year the Preserve will get 10-14" of rain. After these storms pass, we'll still be far below that level but we're happy to take what comes our way. #madronamarsh

Our American Kestrel (female) seem to have a preference for perching on our standing dead trees (or snags). Snags are a terrific lookout spot for her and snags benefit other animals as well. Insects that eat and live in snags become food for other types of birds. During Fall Cleanup weakened branches of both snags and living trees are cut back and allowed to lie on the ground as logs. Logs provide good hiding spots or homes for other animals and food for more insects and fungi. Eventually, our snags and logs decompose and return their nutrients back to the soil. #madronamarsh https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildli/Cover/Trees-and-Snags