The City of Torrance Community Services Department in cooperation with the Friends of the Madrona Marsh, offers many special activities!

To register for Classes and Science camps that has a fee:

Community Services Department
West Annex, Torrance City Hall
3031 Torrance Boulevard
Torrance, CA 90503.
Phone 310.618.2720
(Walk-ins are accepted)

Tour de Torrance -Searching for the Birds of the South Bay
1st, 3rd & 5th Tuesday of every Month at 8:30 am
October 6& 20, November 3 & 17, December 1, 15 & 29, January 5 & 19, February 2 & 16, 2010 * Free
Take a stroll with Dave moody and Ron Melin as you identify the different species of birds at the Madrona Marsh Preserve, other parks throughout the City of Torrance and local South Bay birding "hot spots."

Morning On The Marsh - 2nd Tuesday of every month from  9:00 - 11:00 am * Free
October 12, November 10, December 8, January 12 & February 9, 2010
Discover this hidden jewel, right in your backyard! Enjoy a leisurely stroll with tour guide, Bart Tendick... and learn about this fascinating vernal marsh.

Bird Walk - 2nd Wednesday of every month at 8:00 am * Free
October 14, November 11, December 9, January 13 & February 10, 2010
Discover different birds every season and see if you can spot the over 250 species of birds that visit Madrona Marsh Preserve.

Native Plants in the Wild & in Your Garden - 1st Saturday of every month at 10:00 am* Free 
This Class will repeat the following Tuesday at 6:30 pm
Dr. Connie Vadheim (CSU Dominguez Hills) will discuss local native plants as part of the gardening series "Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden".  Featured will be plants native to the lowland areas of western L.A. County.  Class will include a walk in the Madrona Marsh Preserve/Gardens, where students can see the featured plants. This is the only series to showcase native plants appropriate for western L.A. county gardens - and it's FREE

NO CLASS                                      October No Classes
Seeds For Birds                              Saturday: 11/7/09     &  Tuesday: 11/10/09
Sunshine & Sunflowers                 Saturday: 12/5/09     &  Tuesday: 12/8/09
Classic Climbers                          Saturday: 1/2/2010   &  Tuesday: 1/5/2010
Hospitable Habitat                      Saturday: 2/6/10      &  Tuesday: 2/9/10

All classes are held  Saturdays 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon and 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. the following Tuesday.
Madrona Marsh Nature Center
3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance
(310) 782-3989.
This is the only gardening series to feature native plants appropriate for the coastal areas- and it's FREE!

Nature Walks - 4th weekend of every month at 10:00 am
September 26 & 27, October 24 & 25, November 28 & 29, December 26 & 27, January 23 & 24, February 27 & 28, 2010
Take a guided walk on the Madrona Marsh Preserve and learn about the flora and fauna that live in this captivating veral marsh. You'll see how living things interact in their habitat and learn the value of wetlands in our urban environment.

Service Learning for High School and College Students
Saturdays - 8:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
2nd Saturday of every month Restoration/Service Learning will be held OFF-SITE.
Visit or call the Nature Center for more information at; (310) 782-3989.
Students can perform community service hours at this time to fulfill class or graduation requirements.

Habitat Restoration
Saturdays -  8:45 p.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Curious about how to tell the native from nonnative plants on the Preserve? Learn directly through weeding nonnatives and planting natives.

Tuesday and Wednesday Weeders - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Volunteer opportunity for those looking for pleasant company while accomplishing good work on the Preserve. Join the group for restoration every Tues. and Wed. morning and gain expertise about the weeds and native plants of the South Bay. This program is for adults willing to make a minimum 50 hour commitment.

A New Opportunity to Volunteer at the Madrona Marsh Preserve!
Join the Propagation Society as we plant seeds for the future of the Preserve!
Every Second and Fourth Thursday of Every Month  *   10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Learn how to:
*Prepare soil for planting on the Marsh
*Grow native plants for restoration and fundraising events at the Madrona Marsh
*'Pot up' plants to larger containers
*Collect and 'clean' seeds
*Prune native plants in the Nursery 

Artist Receptions & Exhibits

View the works of local artists & photographers portraying the beauty of the Madrona Marsh.
The community is invited to attend each artist's reception where the artist talks about his/her work and or gives a demonstration.
Snacks and beverages are included.

                                  

Mark Comon, "The Magnificent Marsh," A Photography Exhibit
Exhibit Display from September 22 - December 3, 2009
Artist's Reception - Saturday, October 3, 2009 * 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.




Ron Libbrecht's Outdoor Painting Class - An Exhibit of Paintings
Exhibit Display from January 5, 2010 - February 12, 2010
Artist's Reception - Friday, January 15, 2010 * 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

ARTIST RECEPTION AND ART AUCTION
Saturday, November 14, 2009  * 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Tickets $20.00 per person/Tickets can be purchased at the Nature Center/First 200 Tickets purchased will receive a pass to the Comedy & Magic Club
The Friends of Madrona Marsh will be hosting an Art Auction Fundraiser at the Marriot Hotel located at; 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA 90503. Featured Artists will include; Stephen D. West, Douglas Stenhouse, Beth Shibata, Jack Ludwick, Ron Libbrecht and Mark Comon. Cheese and Wine will be provided. For more information please call the Nature Center at; (310) 782-3989.

Arbor Day III!
Saturday, December 5, 2009 . 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.. Free
Come join us in planting shrubs and grasses to celebrate this day! Refreshments will be provided. Wear sturdy shoes and bring some gloves.

Be a Citizan Scientist
Saturday, December 19, 2009 . 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. . Free
Get involved with the 30th annual Christmas Bird Count.
Join local birder Bob Shanman for a "how to get involved" workshop and bird walk.
30th Annual Christmas Bird Count
Sunday, December 20, 2009 . ALL DAY!

Mystery of Mushrooms
Saturday, January 16, 2010 . 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. . Free 
Explore the mysterious world of fungi. Learn what types of mushrooms grow on the Preserve and throughout the South Bay.

Night Hike
Saturday, February 20,  2009 . 6:30 pm # 8:30 pm
Saturday, May 22, 2009 . 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
$5 per person/ $10 per family
Be on the Preserve as the sun sets - experience the coming of night! This hike is limited to the first 25 people who sign up. For reservations call the Madrona Marsh Nature Center  (310) 782 - 3989.

 

 

Are you looking for an interesting volunteer opportunity? The Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center is seeking volunteers for a variety of positions. Please call the Nature Center for further information and to request a volunteer application (310)782-3989.

Gift Shop Volunteers
Special Events
Docents
Habitat Restoration

For reservations and information regarding programs and/or for group tours please contact the Madrona Marsh Nature Center at (310)782-3989.

All activities and classes meet at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center, located at 3201 Plaza del Amo (between Maple and Madrona), on the north side of the street.