Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
and Mother Nature’s Backyard
1201 W. 170th Street,
Gardena, CA 90247
Established:
2007
Size:
13.6 acres
Features:
Walking trails
Wetlands
Zig Zag bridge
Frogs
classes
medicinal and edible plants
Best time to visit:
Spring summer and Fall
Spring and summer are filled with flowers and then later in the year, berries. A walk through the shady preserve is a perfect thing to do on a warm summer day. In the fall the grapes and cottonwoods give a show of bright seasonal color.
In the 1970’s the plan was to turn this remnant of Domeguez Slough wetlands into a convention center. The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life. While this may seem like a lot to ask of a small isolated wetland that only covers 13.6 acres, this is what wetlands do. They are incredibly important habitats and support so many species. They are considered the “kidneys of the environment” for their ability to clean and process water.
While walking along the trails that run through the preserve, visitors can experience the different micro habitats that make up a marsh, the aquatic, riparian and upland. Even in this smaller area, the differences between the zones is stark. The aquatic and riparian areas are lush, green and cool. They are filled with willows, cottonwoods, grapes, and tulles.
In early summer these areas get covered in the white fluffy seed heads of the willows. Entire areas will be covered, looking like the trees and bushes are covered in a layer of frost.
A lovely raised zigzag bridge takes visitors across the center of the marsh and through the deep green foliage. The upland sections, which are dryer and sunnier, are filled with oak trees, wild roses, holy leaf cherry, sages, buckwheats and bunch grasses.
“The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life.”
The preserve is filled with insects, frogs and lizards. It is notably home to the pacific tree frog, which while the most abundant frog in western North America, is a frog which automatically makes this super cool.
The western side of the Preserve is home to “Mother Nature’s Garden” which is a 2,500 square foot demonstration garden filled with beautiful mature plants. One highlight being the espaliered toyon planted against the back wall of the preserve. The demonstration garden also has medicinal plants, edible and those that can be used for dying cloth. The garden often produces choke cherry jelly from the western chokecherry plant. It has a lovely cherry flavor and bright red color.
This garden plan, from 2012 Shows how the garden has changed and grown as the plants mature.
One of the joys of gardening is watching all your best laid plans be completely ignored by everything you plant.
The garden was designed with an emphasis on reducing water consumption, rainwater capture/infiltration and efficient irrigation methods. The paths are made of water permeable materials, the site has several rain barrels, french drains and other groundwater filtration features. These materials were chosen not only for their water saving merits but also to be readily available to home owners.
Gardena Willows Wetlands Preserve was originally a part of the complex and extensive wetland system that linked the site of the preserve with Harbor Lake, Bixby Marsh, Madrona Marsh and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean, called the Dominguez Slough. This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.
The site of the preserve was known to be an important area for the Tongva. When the area was being dredged in the 1940’s many Tongva artifacts were discovered, which confirmed the historical cultural importance of the area. Unfortunately, white the Natural History Museum was contacted, the artifacts were stolen before they could be examined and recorded.
During the Spanish and, later, the Mexican occupation, much of the surrounding area was used for cattle grazing and was named Sausal Redondo. After a series of bad droughts in 1875 and 1876 the land was sold and used successfully for dry-farming barley. It was not until the 1920’s that the area began to be developed for housing and large portions were drained.
In the 1970’s the city planned to fill in the last remaining section of the wetlands and replace it with a convention center. The local residents fought the city “to preserve its value as a green oasis, an historical vestige of the past, a migratory stop for ducks and other migrants, a permanent home for resident bird species, a safe haven for the frogs and other amphibians who live there, and a vital mechanism that cleans street water runoff before it reaches the Dominguez Channel and eventually, the Pacific Ocean.” The community won and the preserve was created.
“This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.”
The Preserve has undergone large amounts of restoration, after its creation in 1998, the city received 1.2 million dollars of federal funding to restore the site. This process included removing vast amounts of invasive and non native plants and trees. Volunteers planted native plants around the preserve. Despite the volunteer efforts, support of the city is intermittent. It wasn’t until 2021 that local political support created two posts of Naturalists for the wetlands and there are hopes of further support for the project.
More Information
Opening Hours:
Every second Sunday
1PM- 4 PM
Every fourth Saturday
9AM – 12 PM
Check their instagram
for exact dates
Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
and Mother Nature’s Backyard
1201 W. 170th Street,
Gardena, CA 90247
Established:
2007
Size:
13.6 acres
Features:
Walking trails
Wetlands
Zig Zag bridge
Frogs
classes
medicinal and edible plants
Best time to visit:
Spring summer and Fall
Spring and summer are filled with flowers and then later in the year, berries. A walk through the shady preserve is a perfect thing to do on a warm summer day. In the fall the grapes and cottonwoods give a show of bright seasonal color.
In the 1970’s the plan was to turn this remnant of Domeguez Slough wetlands into a convention center. The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life. While this may seem like a lot to ask of a small isolated wetland that only covers 13.6 acres, this is what wetlands do. They are incredibly important habitats and support so many species. They are considered the “kidneys of the environment” for their ability to clean and process water.
While walking along the trails that run through the preserve, visitors can experience the different micro habitats that make up a marsh, the aquatic, riparian and upland. Even in this smaller area, the differences between the zones is stark. The aquatic and riparian areas are lush, green and cool. They are filled with willows, cottonwoods, grapes, and tulles.
In early summer these areas get covered in the white fluffy seed heads of the willows. Entire areas will be covered, looking like the trees and bushes are covered in a layer of frost.
A lovely raised zigzag bridge takes visitors across the center of the marsh and through the deep green foliage. The upland sections, which are dryer and sunnier, are filled with oak trees, wild roses, holy leaf cherry, sages, buckwheats and bunch grasses.
“The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life.“
The preserve is filled with insects, frogs and lizards. It is notably home to the pacific tree frog, which while the most abundant frog in western North America, is a frog which automatically makes this super cool.
The western side of the Preserve is home to “Mother Nature’s Garden” which is a 2,500 square foot demonstration garden filled with beautiful mature plants. One highlight being the espaliered toyon planted against the back wall of the preserve. The demonstration garden also has medicinal plants, edible and those that can be used for dying cloth. The garden often produces choke cherry jelly from the western chokecherry plant. It has a lovely cherry flavor and bright red color.
This garden plan, from 2012 Shows how the garden has changed and grown as the plants mature.
One of the joys of gardening is watching all your best laid plans be completely ignored by everything you plant.
The garden was designed with an emphasis on reducing water consumption, rainwater capture/infiltration and efficient irrigation methods. The paths are made of water permeable materials, the site has several rain barrels, french drains and other groundwater filtration features. These materials were chosen not only for their water saving merits but also to be readily available to home owners.
Gardena Willows Wetlands Preserve was originally a part of the complex and extensive wetland system that linked the site of the preserve with Harbor Lake, Bixby Marsh, Madrona Marsh, and eventually, the Pacific Ocean, called the Dominguez Slough. This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.
The site of the preserve was known to be an important area for the Tongva. When the area was being dredged in the 1940’s many Tongva artifacts were discovered, which confirmed the historical cultural importance of the area. Unfortunately, white the Natural History Museum was contacted, the artifacts were stolen before they could be examined and recorded.
During the Spanish and, later, the Mexican occupation, much of the surrounding area was used for cattle grazing and was named Sausal Redondo. After a series of bad droughts in 1875 and 1876 the land was sold and used successfully for dry-farming barley. It was not until the 1920’s that the area began to be developed for housing and large portions were drained.
In the 1970’s the city planned to fill in the last remaining section of the wetlands and replace it with a convention center. The local residents fought the city “to preserve its value as a green oasis, an historical vestige of the past, a migratory stop for ducks and other migrants, a permanent home for resident bird species, a safe haven for the frogs and other amphibians who live there, and a vital mechanism that cleans street water runoff before it reaches the Dominguez Channel and eventually, the Pacific Ocean.” The community won and the preserve was created.
“This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.”
The Preserve has undergone large amounts of restoration, after its creation in 1998, the city received 1.2 million dollars of federal funding to restore the site. This process included removing vast amounts of invasive and non native plants and trees. Volunteers planted native plants around the preserve. Despite the volunteer efforts, support of the city is intermittent. It wasn’t until 2021 that local political support created two posts of Naturalists for the wetlands and there are hopes of further support for the project.
More Information
Opening Hours:
Every second Sunday
1PM- 4 PM
Every fourth Saturday
9AM – 12 PM
Check their instagram
for exact dates
Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve
and Mother Nature’s Backyard
1201 W. 170th Street,
Gardena, CA 90247
Established:
2007
Size:
3.5 acres
Size:
3.5 acres
Features:
Walking trails
Wetlands
Zig Zag bridge
Frogs
classes
medicinal and edible plants
Best time to visit:
Spring summer and Fall
Spring and summer are filled with flowers and then later in the year berries. A walk through the shady preserve is a perfect thing to do on a warm summer day. In the fall the grapes and cottonwoods give a show of bright seasonal color.
In the 1970’s the plan was to turn this remnant of Domeguez Slough wetlands into a convention center. The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life. While this may seem like a lot to ask of a small isolated wetland that only covers 13.6 acres, this is what wetlands do. They are incredibly important habitats and support so many species. They are considered the “kidneys of the environment” for their ability to clean and process water.
While walking along the trails that run through the preserve, visitors can experience the different micro habitats that make up a marsh, the aquatic, riparian and upland. Even in this smaller area, the differences between the zones is stark. The aquatic and riparian areas are lush, green and cool. They are filled with willows, cottonwoods, grapes, and tulles.
In early summer these areas get covered in the white fluffy seed heads of the willows. Entire areas will be covered, looking like the trees and bushes are covered in a layer of frost.
A lovely raised zigzag bridge takes visitors across the center of the marsh and through the deep green foliage. The upland sections, which are dryer and sunnier, are filled with oak trees, wild roses, holy leaf cherry, sages, buckwheats and bunch grasses.
“The local residents fought the city citing the site’s importance as a green oasis, as a historical link to the ecological history of Los Angeles, role in cleaning run off water before it reaches the Domingues Channel and extreme value to both migratory and permanent residence animal life.“
The preserve is filled with insects, frogs and lizards. It is notably home to the pacific tree frog, which while the most abundant frog in western North America, is a frog which automatically makes this super cool.
The western side of the Preserve is home to “Mother Nature’s Garden” which is a 2,500 square foot demonstration garden filled with beautiful mature plants. One highlight being the espaliered toyon planted against the back wall of the preserve. The demonstration garden also has medicinal plants, edible and those that can be used for dying cloth. The garden often produces choke cherry jelly from the western chokecherry plant. It has a lovely cherry flavor and bright red color.
This garden plan, from 2012 Shows how the garden has changed and grown as the plants mature. One of the joys of gardening is watching all your best laid plans be completely ignored by everything you plant.
The garden was designed with an emphasis on reducing water consumption, rainwater capture/infiltration and efficient irrigation methods. The paths are made of water permeable materials, the site has several rain barrels, french drains and other groundwater filtration features. These materials were chosen not only for their water saving merits but also to be readily available to home owners.
Gardena Willows Wetlands Preserve was originally a part of the complex and extensive wetland system that linked the site of the preserve with Harbor Lake, Bixby Marsh, Madrona Marsh and, eventually, the Pacific Ocean, called the Dominguez Slough. . This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.
The site of the preserve was known to be an important area for the Tongva. When the area was being dredged in the 1940’s many Tongva artifacts were discovered, which confirmed the historical cultural importance of the area. Unfortunately, white the Natural History Museum was contacted, the artifacts were stolen before they could be examined and recorded.
During the Spanish and, later, the Mexican occupation, much of the surrounding area was used for cattle grazing and was named Sausal Redondo. After a series of bad droughts in 1875 and 1876 the land was sold and used successfully for dry-farming barley. It was not until the 1920’s that the area began to be developed for housing and large portions were drained.
In the 1970’s the city planned to fill in the last remaining section of the wetlands and replace it with a convention center. The local residents fought the city “to preserve its value as a green oasis, an historical vestige of the past, a migratory stop for ducks and other migrants, a permanent home for resident bird species, a safe haven for the frogs and other amphibians who live there, and a vital mechanism that cleans street water runoff before it reaches the Dominguez Channel and eventually, the Pacific Ocean.” The community won and the preserve was created.
“This watershed has been almost entirely destroyed through development and urbanization. These remnant marshes and preserves are all that is left.“
The Preserve has undergone large amounts of restoration, after its creation in 1998, the city received 1.2 million dollars of federal funding to restore the site. This process included removing vast amounts of invasive and non native plants and trees. Volunteers planted native plants around the preserve. Despite the volunteer efforts, support of the city is intermittent. It wasn’t until 2021 that local political support created two posts of Naturalists for the wetlands and there are hopes of further support for the project.
More Information
Opening Hours:
Every second Sunday
1PM- 4 PM
Every fourth Saturday
9AM – 12 PM
Check their instagram
for exact dates
