Madrona Marsh Preserve
and Nature Center

3201 Plaza del Amo,
Torrance, CA 90503

A view of the Madrona Marsh demonstration gardens. A path runs through large shrubs and trees. There is an information sign in the background. — Visiting the Madrona Marsh demonstration gardens is like going on a tiny tour of Southern California ecosystems. (image taken in early June)

A prickly pear cactus with yellow flowers going in a garden in the sun. — Prickly Pears are becoming a more popular landscaping plant. I mean look at them, just gorgeous. (image taken in early June)

Established:
2001

Size:
42 acres

Features:
Walking Trails
Rare micro habitats
Nature center with cool exhibits
Rare and hard to care for plants
Fairy Shrimp!

Notable Plants:
Mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae)
Bush lupin (Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons)
Chaparral mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)
Fremontedendron (Fremontodendron californicum)
Santa Cruz Island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius)
Mock heather (Ericameria ericoides)
Long stem buckwheat (Eriogonum elongatum)
Giant coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea)

Best time to visit:
Winter, spring and early summer
The preserve at its finest when it is filled with water and migratory birds. Early summer brings out new blooms and slightly drier conditions which makes touring the preserve easier. The demonstration gardens are always amazing.

The Madrona Marsh preserve and nature center sit on one of the few remnants of what was once a vast wetland system that stretched from Marina del Rey to Wilmington. Included in this area are the Ballona Wetlands and the Gardena Willows Preserve, which are also mentioned in this guide. Its 42 (or 43 or 45 depending on your source) acres are home to a strange collection of micro habitats: vernal marshes, a seasonal marsh that in the dry season recedes into the aquifer, back dunes, these are dunes that are farther back from the water than the foredunes which are closer (great naming), coastal prairie and alkali margin, an area of higher salt content caused by fluctuations of water, and vernal pools.

The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.They are divided into habitat sections, back dune, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and desert. There are so many wonderful plants packed into this relatively small space making a visit a joyfully intense experience.

There are details everywhere. The large shrubs move gracefully to smaller, more delicate plants. There is always something to see and the garden is always changing. In Spring the bush lupins, mariposa lilies and coastal sunflowers are in bloom. Summer brings the fremontendrons, the buckwheats and mallows. The garden lets those plants that would go summer dormant, which adds a new intensity to space.

“The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.”

Little trails criss-cross through the garden and also define the now rather fuzzy borders of the different habitats. Despite its wild appearance the garden is meticulously cared for. I don’t think I have ever seen a weed and the garden hosts several species such as Ithuriel’s Spear and mariposa lilies which are specifically hard to care for.

Orange and yellow dudleya flowers grown next to the deep purple flowers of the Ithuriel's spear in summer on a sunny day. — The beautiful Ithuriels Spear with some super cool grasses and dudleyas. (image taken in early June)

Detail of a purple sage in bloom. — A show stopping purple sage. (image taken in early June)

The preserve is entered through a gate with a gate attendant. If you are wondering if this is because visitors have been locked in the preserve before (the whole section is fenced in), I asked, the answer is yes. There are several walking trails in the preserve, one that runs the whole perimeter and others the criss-cross through it. It is here that you will find all the interesting micro habitats. Madrona Marsh is considered to be one of, if not the only, remaining vernal marshes and is the largest preserve of coastal prairie and the last remaining vernal pools, in Los Angeles County. The vernal marsh is temporary, only existing in the wet season, and then slipping underneath the sand into the aquifer in the dry season.

The development of Torrance and changes to the site altered the water flow into the marsh and the vernal pools. To compensate for this, water is now pumped in during the rainy season mimicking what would be the natural water cycle of the site. The nine vernal pools are also undergoing restoration and maintenance. The pools and the surrounding areas are dredged, mostly by hand, to redirect and collect water. Invasive plants are removed and native plants, most of which are propagated on site, are reestablished around the areas of the pools.

Two types of fairy shrimp can be found here, both of which are federally endangered.

In addition, the preserve is home to or periodically hosts over 100 special status species. Special status is a blank term that is used to describe species that are sufficiently rare as to require protection and or consideration. They are listed as rare, threatened or endangered by the Federal and or state government.

“Madrona Marsh is considered to be one of, if not the only, remaining vernal marshes and is the largest preserve of coastal prairie and the last remaining vernal pools, in Los Angeles County.”

The site has a fascinating geological history as well. It was part of the historic route west of the Los Angeles river until the rise of the Palos Verdes peninsula routed the river south to Long Beach. This created a natural inland depression. The site is covered with fine sand that has been deposited through the aeolian process, which is the erosion, transportation and deposition of sediment by wind.

This complex mix of rare ecosystems has been awarded a SEA designation, which stands for Significant Ecological Area, and is awarded to locations of irreplaceable biological resources that support valuable and threatened species and promote species movement through habitat linkages and corridors.

The pathways in the Madrona Marsh preserve, lined with coastal poppies in bloom on a sunny day. — The Madrona Marsh is a rare vernal marsh and has some of the last vernal pools in Los Angeles County. (image taken in early June)

As the City of Torrance grew in the 1950’s and 1960’s the city found itself losing large tracts of open space. The solution was to convert sites that were otherwise set aside for oil drilling. Madrona Marsh was one such area. It had been left open for drilling since 1920 but had never had more than one platform on the site and, therefore, was both undeveloped and relatively undisturbed.

While mostly ignored by the general public, the site had already been recognized as having an ecological value. It was a popular birding destination and had been used in botany and zoological courses over the years. In 1972, a meeting was held to create support for the creation of a preserve and wildlife park. Not long after this meeting the Friends of Madrona Marsh was formed and they became the driving force behind the creation of the preserve.

The group battled away for years. They paid for a “Wildlife Habitat Study” to be conducted and for plans to be drawn up for a preserve and visitors center. They led talks, held public meetings and began restoring the land. In 1980 the Torrance Investment Company, (a partnership of Watt Homes, Anderson Properties, Sherl Curci and Santa Fe Energy, the landowners) withdrew an offer to sell 15 acres of the land to the Friends of Madrona Marsh and began to actively try to develop the land.

In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park. The story of the Preserve is written as a joint effort between the Friends of the Madrona Marsh and the City, however it is important to note that the City Council was siding with developers at this point.

“In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park.”

The City did eventually side with the Marsh and in 1987 42 acres were preserved for the creation of the Nature Center and Marsh Preserve. The Nature Center was built in 1990. The Metropolitan Water District funded the demonstration gardens and the Preserve is run with funding from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project.

A small meadow in the demonstration gardens at the Madrona Marsh Nature Center. Coastal poppies grow in dappled sunlight with large shrubs behind them. — The demonstration gardens are truly wonderful. There is so much depth and thought in their care and design. (image taken in early June)

Western Sycamore growing with mule fat in the Madrona Marsh Preserve. — The plants found at the Madrona Marsh thrive in the opposite extremes of flooding and dry summers, so cool. (image taken in early June)

A view of the demonstration gardens from the street. Showing the eNature Center and the paths.

More Information

Friends of Madrona Marsh

City of Torrance- Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

Instagram – Madrona Marsh Preserve

2020 Native Plant Garden Tour

Friends of Madrona Marsh – Events

Friends of Madrona Marsh – Self guided tour

COASTAL CONSERVANCY- Madrona Marsh Vernal Pool Restoration

Pat Patterson’s Best of California – Torrance’s Madrona Marsh -Torrance citizens saved this oasis in the middle of the city!

KCAL News- Madrona Marsh in Torrance | Look at This!

City of Torrance – Madrona Marsh Preserve in the Spring

CNPS South Coast Chapter- Back Dune Plant list

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Opening Hours:
Tues. – Sat.
10AM-5PM

Deep red flowers on a barrel cactus. — The coastal barrel cactus in the early stages of bloom. (image taken in early June)

A lush garden filled with trees and shrubs on a sunny summer day. — Mountain Mahogany gets covered in these cool little fluffy seed heads. (image taken in early June)

A mature fremontodendron in full bloom with blooming lupins behind. — This giant Fremontedendron is sadly no more. These plants are so perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of the chaparral, that they can be trickier to grow in gentler conditions. (image taken in mid April)

A small fremontodendron with large yellow flowers is surrounded by pink flowers of mallow plants. — These little buddies have now been replanted, perfectly paired with a chaparral mallow. (image taken in early June)

A small coast live oak grows in the Madrona Marsh Preserve on a sunny day. — Many of the plants that are used for restoration of the marsh are propagated on site. (image taken in early June)

A hedge of white flowering buckwheats along a garden path with trees and buildings in the background. — The demonstration gardens have a massive planting of California buckwheats. (image taken in early June)

A planting between the side walk and the street filled with deer weed and other plants. — This cool little yellow flowering plant is deerweed. It goes completely summer dormant and is the host plant for the marine blue butterfly. (image taken in early June)

Detail image of the bright yellow flowers of the golden bush next to a garden path. — Golden bush is one of the plants that is able to not only stay evergreen but blooms in the late summer and fall. It is a beautiful resilient plant. (image taken in late July)

A detail shot of coast prickly pear and California sage brush. — More prickly pear flowers. (image taken in early June)

Coastal Poppies grow in a small meadow of grass with a bush in the background. — A small meadow in the demonstration gardens with purple three awn and coastal poppies. (image taken in early June)

A shady garden path next to a coast live oak. A patch of sunlight falls on coastal poppies growing beside the path. — More little coastal poppies in the preserve. (image taken in early June)

A prostrate chamise bush covered in cream colored flowers. — This mounding form of chamise was just covered in blooms. (image taken in early June)

A small bird, a scaly breasted munia, sits in the branches of a western sycamore. — These little birds ( I think they are scaly breasted munias which are an introduced species from south asia) were all over this plant. (image taken in early June)

A detail image of a ceanothus bush in a sunny garden. Small purple flowers can be seen. — There are more little birds in this ceanthous they just wouldn’t hold still long enough for me to get them in frame. (image taken in early June)

Red berries growing on the Nevin's barberry bush next to a dirt path in a mature garden. — The demonstration gardens are especially good and showcasing how much diversity in color, shape and texture our native plants have. (image taken in early June)

A sunny garden path running through trees and white flowering plants. — The design of this garden is always so surprising in its ability to make a small area feel like a part of a huge space. (image taken in late July)

A bird sits on a low branch at the edge of the garden. A street can be seen behind. — I think this is an ash-throated fly catcher. If so these are super cool birds. They come to southern california from breeding. They are a hard core dry area bird and don’t need to drink water, they get their moisture from spiders and bugs and stuff that they eat. (image taken in early June)

View of the Madrona Marsh Preserve, with bushes in the foreground, larger willow plants and trees in the background on a sunny day. — It’s so wild that this is what the South Bay should be. The next time you hear someone refer to Los Angeles as a desert, tell them the south bay was a system of wetlands. (image taken in early June)

Grapes, fuchsia, and grasses grow by a door to the Nature Center. — This area, which is by the back door of the Nature Center, looks like it was cut perfectly out of a habitat and then plonked down here. It’s a perfect little vignette. (image taken in late July)

A planter on the edge of the terracotta colored wall of the Nature Center. — The plants along the wall of the nature center are a collection of weird leggy and spiny shapes. It’s a delightful effect against the smooth walls. (image taken in late July)

Detail shot of a mountain mahogany branch in the shade. — Mountain mahogany makes a beautiful hedge plant. (image taken in early June)

Light purple/pink flowers of the chaparral mallow on the silvery branches. — The colors of the Chaparral mallow are just perfect also they are hardy af. (image taken in early June)

Shaded bushes grow at the edge of a garden. Housing can be seen in the background. — There is something about deep shade in the heat of summer. It makes one think of all the horror stories that take place in the height of summer. (image taken in late July)

The silvery grey prostrate California sage brush grows in front of a manzanita covered in berries. — A creeping California Sage brush and a cool little manzanita. (image taken in early June)

A dirt path runs through the demonstration gardens of the Nature Center. Pinkish buckwheat flowers are on the right and the path runs toward trees. — As the California sunflowers start to wane the buckwheats come in full force. (image taken in early June)

Yellow flowers in a flower bed in front of a textured wall. — The grasses really make this so beautiful. (image taken in early June)

Soft bunch grasses with purplish seed heads growing in a sunny garden by a path and fence. — Purple three awn our state grass! (image taken in early June)

Dried flowers next to a bunch grass growing a in sunny garden. — Some sort of everlasting, with a deer grass. (image taken in late July)

A bush lupin in full bloom. The bush is covered in purple flowers with a few seed pods visible as well. — The bush lupins at the Madrona Marsh are off the charts. This one is in full bloom. (image taken in mid April)

Bush lupin as it enters summer dormancy. A few purple blooms are visible as well as tan colored seed pods. — And this one is covered in cool little seed pods. (image taken in early June)

A dirt path runs through a densely planted garden. There is a bush with red flowers to the left and a row of bunch grasses to the right. — Another view that shows how the design and layering creates depth and the illusion of space. (image taken in early June)

Coastal Poppies grow by a garden path. — Coastal California Poppies! This variation has lovely yellow edges with the bright orange center. (image taken in early June)

Yellow and orange costal poppies grown in the Madrona Marsh preserve. — The lovely marsh on a lovely day. (image taken in early June)

A yellow faced bumblebee landing on a Branching Phacelia. — Bumble Bee populations, like this yellow faced bumble bee, are suffering a terrible decline. Planting native plants can be a huge help to restoring their habitat and numbers. (image taken in early June)

Western Sycamore growing the Madrona Marsh preserve. — Western sycamore have the most beautiful shades of green in their foliage, this is why you see so many photos of them on this website. (image taken in early June)

Detail image of the seed pods on a arroyo willow tree in the sun. — Arroyo willows, like this one, are hosts to thirteen confirmed lepidoptera species, included the particularly beautiful Western tiger swallow tail, Lorquin’s Admiral and the Sylvan Hairstreak butterflies. (image taken in early June)

A white rock surrounded by golden bush and coastal sunflower in the shade. — While common landscaping practices would have gardeners deadhead all these spent blooms, when left they create so much lovely texture and are an important source of food for birds. (image taken in early June)

A view of the Nature Center in late summer. California Buckwheats covered in red dried seed heads and blooming golden bush can be seen. — I know that summer dormancy can be aesthetically challenging, but look at how the deep rust red of the buckwheat flowers sets off the blue grey of the dudleya. (image taken in late July)

The Nevin's Barberry bush covered in red berries and yellow flowers in a sunny garden. — Nevin’s barberry covered in pretty little berries. (image taken in early June)

Grasses and golden bush grow in a summer garden. — A summer meadow. (image taken in late July)

White matjia poppy flowers in the Madrona marsh in summer. — Matliijia poppies growing in the preserve. (image taken in early June)

The side of the Nature Center with the flower filled demonstration gardens. — There is a stark difference between the vibrant ecosystem on the right and the sterile lawn on the left. (image taken in early June)

A view of the summer dry marsh on a sunny day. There are trees on either side and tules in the background. — The Madrona Marsh preserve in the dry season. (image taken in early June)

A western sycamore growing in the Mardona Marsh Preserve. — Western Sycamore with branching Phacelia in the understory. (image taken in early June)

Three pink California wild rose flowers next to a tree in the shade. — A wild rose in bloom. (image taken in early June)

The top of a Santa Cruz Island Ironwood blows int he wind. — Santa Cruz Island Ironwood in full bloom in the wind. (image taken in early June)

Two beetles on the seed pod of the bladder pod plant on a sunny day. — Invasive Harlequin bugs on a bladder pod. (image taken in early June)

A bush and metal sign cast shadows on the Nature Center wall. — The simple wall of the Nature Center highlights the strange structure of the plants. (image taken in late July)

An image of the demonstration gardens in summer, showing the summer dormant plants and the golden bush and fucshia in bloom. — California Fuschias are another of those helpful plants that bloom when most everything else is going dormant. (image taken in late July)

The entrance to the Madrona Marsh Preserve, with the entrance sign, trees, shrubs and other plants. — The entrance to the Madrona Marsh Preserve. (image taken in early June)

A yellow faced bumble bee on the white flowers of the Branching Phacelia. — There were a ton of yellow faced bumble bees all over these Branching Phacelia (which is exciting to see considering their numbers are dwindling). (image taken in early June)

Detail of the Branching Phacelia on a sunny daty. — There are several varieties of Phacelia to be found in Southern California and really all of them are bangers. (image taken in early June)

Mules fat, California buckwheat and saint Catherine's lace in bloom in the demonstration gardens of the Madrona Marsh Nature Center. — Mulefat, purple sage, california buckwheat and saint catherines lace. (image taken in early June)

Detail image of a ceanthous bush, showing the small purple flowers. — Little purple flowers of the ceanthous and a California sunflower. (image taken in early June)

Detail of a mountain mahogany branch in the late summer. — The garden in mid summer. (image taken in late July)

Detail image of the blue berries on a blue elder berry tree. — Blue elderberries on the blue elderberry tree. (image taken in early June)

A dirt path runs through a sunny garden, which is planted with shrubs, a bush covered in red berries, and a few white flowers. — Such a beautiful space. (image taken in early June)

Madrona Marsh Preserve
and Nature Center

3201 Plaza del Amo,
Torrance, CA 90503

Established:
2001

Size:
42 acres

Features:
Walking Trails
Rare micro habitats
Nature center with cool exhibits
Rare and hard to care for plants
Fairy Shrimp!

Notable Plants:
Mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae)
Bush lupin (Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons)
Chaparral mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)
Fremontedendron (Fremontodendron californicum)
Santa Cruz Island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius)
Mock heather (Ericameria ericoides)
Long stem buckwheat (Eriogonum elongatum)
Giant coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea)

Best time to visit:
Winter, spring and early summer
Winter and early spring rains bring water back into the marsh. The preserve at its finest when it is filled with water and migratory birds. Early summer brings out new blooms and slightly drier conditions which makes touring the preserve easier. The demonstration gardens are always amazing.

The Madrona Marsh preserve and nature center sit on one of the few remnants of what was once a vast wetland system that stretched from Marina del Rey to Wilmington. Included in this area are the Ballona Wetlands and the Gardena Willows Preserve, which are also mentioned in this guide. Its 42 acres are home to a strange collection of micro habitats: vernal marshes, a seasonal marsh that in the dry season recedes into the aquifer, back dunes, these are dunes that are farther back from the water than the foredunes which are closer (great naming), coastal prairie and alkali margin, an area of higher salt content caused by fluctuations of water, and vernal pools.

The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.They are divided into habitat sections, back dune, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and desert. There are so many wonderful plants packed into this relatively small space making a visit a joyfully intense experience.

There are details everywhere. The large shrubs move gracefully to smaller, more delicate plants. There is always something to see and the garden is always changing. In Spring the bush lupins, mariposa lilies and coastal sunflowers are in bloom. Summer brings the fremontendrons, the buckwheats and mallows. The garden lets those plants that would go summer dormant, which adds a new intensity to space.

“The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.”

Little trails criss-cross through the garden and also define the now rather fuzzy borders of the different habitats. Despite its wild appearance the garden is meticulously cared for. I don’t think I have ever seen a weed and the garden hosts several species such as Ithuriel’s Spear and mariposa lilies which are specifically hard to care for.

The preserve is entered through a gate with a gate attendant. If you are wondering if this is because visitors have been locked in the preserve before (the whole section is fenced in), I asked, the answer is yes. There are several walking trails in the preserve, one that runs the whole perimeter and others the criss-cross through it. It is here that you will find all the interesting micro habitats. Madrona Marsh is considered to be one of, if not the only, remaining vernal marshes and is the largest preserve of coastal prairie and the last remaining vernal pools, in Los Angeles County. The vernal marsh is temporary, only existing in the wet season, and then slipping underneath the sand into the aquifer in the dry season.

The development of Torrance and changes to the site altered the water flow into the marsh and the vernal pools. To compensate for this, water is now pumped in during the rainy season mimicking what would be the natural water cycle of the site. The nine vernal pools are also undergoing restoration and maintenance. The pools and the surrounding areas are dredged, mostly by hand, to redirect and collect water. Invasive plants are removed and native plants, most of which are propagated on site, are reestablished around the areas of the pools.

Two types of fairy shrimp can be found here, both of which are federally endangered.

In addition, the preserve is home to or periodically hosts over 100 special status species. Special status is a blank term that is used to describe species that are sufficiently rare as to require protection and or consideration. They are listed as rare, threatened or endangered by the Federal and or state government.

“In addition, the preserve is home to or periodically hosts over 100 special status species. Special status is a blank term that is used to describe species that are sufficiently rare as to require protection and or consideration. They are listed as rare, threatened or endangered by the Federal and or state government.”

The site has a fascinating geological history as well. It was part of the historic route west of the Los Angeles river until the rise of the Palos Verdes peninsula routed the river south to Long Beach. This created a natural inland depression. The site is covered with fine sand that has been deposited through the aeolian process, which is the erosion, transportation and deposition of sediment by wind.

This complex mix of rare ecosystems has been awarded a SEA designation, which stands for Significant Ecological Area, and is awarded to locations of irreplaceable biological resources that support valuable and threatened species and promote species movement through habitat linkages and corridors.

As the City of Torrance grew in the 1950’s and 1960’s the city found itself losing large tracts of open space.The solution was to convert sites that were otherwise set aside for oil drilling. Madrona Marsh was one such area. It had been left open for drilling since 1920 but had never had more than one platform on the site and, therefore, was both undeveloped and relatively undisturbed.

While mostly ignored by the general public, the site had already been recognized as having an ecological value. It was a popular birding destination and had been used in botany and zoological courses over the years. In 1972, a meeting was held to create support for the creation of a preserve and wildlife park. Not long after this meeting the Friends of Madrona Marsh was formed and they became the driving force behind the creation of the preserve.

The group battled away for years. They paid for a “Wildlife Habitat Study” to be conducted and for plans to be drawn up for a preserve and visitors center. They led talks, held public meetings and began restoring the land. In 1980 the Torrance Investment Company, (a partnership of Watt Homes, Anderson Properties, Sherl Curci and Santa Fe Energy, the landowners) withdrew an offer to sell 15 acres of the land to the Friends of Madrona Marsh and began to actively try to develop the land.

In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park. The story of the Preserve is written as a joint effort between the Friends of the Madrona Marsh and the City, however it is important to note that the City Council was siding with developers at this point.

“In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park.”

The City did eventually side with the Marsh and in 1987 42 acres were preserved for the creation of the Nature Center and Marsh Preserve. The Nature Center was built in 1990. The Metropolitan Water District funded the demonstration gardens and the Preserve is run with funding from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project.

More Information

Friends of Madrona Marsh

City of Torrance- Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center

Instagram – Madrona Marsh Preserve

2020 Native Plant Garden Tour

Friends of Madrona Marsh – Events

Friends of Madrona Marsh – Self guided tour

COASTAL CONSERVANCY- Madrona Marsh Vernal Pool Restoration

Pat Patterson’s Best of California – Torrance’s Madrona Marsh -Torrance citizens saved this oasis in the middle of the city!

KCAL News- Madrona Marsh in Torrance | Look at This!

City of Torrance – Madrona Marsh Preserve in the Spring

CNPS South Coast Chapter- Back Dune Plant list

Get Directions

From

To

Add Waypoint

For

Options hide options

Avoid Tolls Avoid Highways Avoid Ferries

Print Reset

Fetching directions…

Opening Hours:
Tues. – Sat.
10AM-5PM

Madrona Marsh Preserve and
Nature Center

3201 Plaza del Amo,
Torrance, CA 90503

Established:
2001

Size:
42 acres

Features:
Walking Trails
Rare micro habitats
Nature center
with cool exhibits
Rare and hard to
care for plants
Fairy Shrimp!

Notable Plants:
Mariposa lily (Calochortus catalinae)
Bush lupin (Lupinus albifrons var. albifrons)
Chaparral mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus)
Fremontedendron (Fremontodendron californicum)
Santa Cruz Island ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. asplenifolius)
Mock heather (Ericameria ericoides)
Long stem buckwheat (Eriogonum elongatum)
Giant coreopsis (Leptosyne gigantea)

Best time to visit:
Winter, spring and early summer
Winter and early spring rains bring water back into the marsh. The preserve at its finest when it is filled with water and migratory birds. Early summer brings out new blooms and slightly drier conditions which makes touring the preserve easier. The demonstration gardens are always amazing.

The Madrona Marsh preserve and nature center sit on one of the few remnants of what was once a vast wetland system that stretched from Marina del Rey to Wilmington. Included in this area are the Ballona Wetlands and the Gardena Willows Preserve, which are also mentioned in this guide. Its 42 acres are home to a strange collection of micro habitats: vernal marshes, a seasonal marsh that in the dry season recedes into the aquifer, back dunes, these are dunes that are farther back from the water than the foredunes which are closer (great naming), coastal prairie and alkali margin, an area of higher salt content caused by fluctuations of water, and vernal pools. .

The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.They are divided into habitat sections, back dune, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and desert. There are so many wonderful plants packed into this relatively small space making a visit a joyfully intense experience.

There are details everywhere. The large shrubs move gracefully to smaller, more delicate plants. There is always something to see and the garden is always changing. In Spring the bush lupins, mariposa lilies and coastal sunflowers are in bloom. Summer brings the fremontendrons, the buckwheats and mallows. The garden lets those plants that would go summer dormant, which adds a new intensity to space.

“The Nature Center , which is across the street from the Preserve, is surrounded by a half acre of beautiful mature demonstration gardens. They were started in 2001 by Tony Barker with the aim to promote more native gardens in the area.”

Little trails criss-cross through the garden and also define the now rather fuzzy borders of the different habitats. Despite its wild appearance the garden is meticulously cared for. I don’t think I have ever seen a weed and the garden hosts several species such as Ithuriel’s Spear and mariposa lilies which are specifically hard to care for.

The preserve is entered through a gate with a gate attendant. If you are wondering if this is because visitors have been locked in the preserve before (the whole section is fenced in), I asked, the answer is yes. There are several walking trails in the preserve, one that runs the whole perimeter and others the criss-cross through it. It is here that you will find all the interesting micro habitats. Madrona Marsh is considered to be one of, if not the only, remaining vernal marshes and is the largest preserve of coastal prairie and the last remaining vernal pools, in Los Angeles County. The vernal marsh is temporary, only existing in the wet season, and then slipping underneath the sand into the aquifer in the dry season.

The development of Torrance and changes to the site altered the water flow into the marsh and the vernal pools. To compensate for this, water is now pumped in during the rainy season mimicking what would be the natural water cycle of the site. The nine vernal pools are also undergoing restoration and maintenance. The pools and the surrounding areas are dredged, mostly by hand, to redirect and collect water. Invasive plants are removed and native plants, most of which are propagated on site, are reestablished around the areas of the pools.

In addition, the preserve is home to or periodically hosts over 100 special status species. Special status is a blank term that is used to describe species that are sufficiently rare as to require protection and or consideration. They are listed as rare, threatened or endangered by the Federal and or state government.

“In addition, the preserve is home to or periodically hosts over 100 special status species. Special status is a blank term that is used to describe species that are sufficiently rare as to require protection and or consideration. They are listed as rare, threatened or endangered by the Federal and or state government.”

The site has a fascinating geological history as well. It was part of the historic route west of the Los Angeles river until the rise of the Palos Verdes peninsula routed the river south to Long Beach. This created a natural inland depression. The site is covered with fine sand that has been deposited through the aeolian process, which is the erosion, transportation and deposition of sediment by wind.

This complex mix of rare ecosystems has been awarded a SEA designation, which stands for Significant Ecological Area, and is awarded to locations of irreplaceable biological resources that support valuable and threatened species and promote species movement through habitat linkages and corridors.

As the City of Torrance grew in the 1950’s and 1960’s the city found itself losing large tracts of open space. The solution was to convert sites that were otherwise set aside for oil drilling. Madrona Marsh was one such area. It had been left open for drilling since 1920 but had never had more than one platform on the site and, therefore, was both undeveloped and relatively undisturbed.

While mostly ignored by the general public, the site had already been recognized as having an ecological value. It was a popular birding destination and had been used in botany and zoological courses over the years. In 1972, a meeting was held to create support for the creation of a preserve and wildlife park. Not long after this meeting the Friends of Madrona Marsh was formed and they became the driving force behind the creation of the preserve.

The group battled away for years. They paid for a “Wildlife Habitat Study” to be conducted and for plans to be drawn up for a preserve and visitors center. They led talks, held public meetings and began restoring the land. In 1980 the Torrance Investment Company, (a partnership of Watt Homes, Anderson Properties, Sherl Curci and Santa Fe Energy, the landowners) withdrew an offer to sell 15 acres of the land to the Friends of Madrona Marsh and began to actively try to develop the land.

The group battled away for years. They paid for a “Wildlife Habitat Study” to be conducted and for plans to be drawn up for a preserve and visitors center. They led talks, held public meetings and began restoring the land.

In 1980 the Torrance Investment Company, (a partnership of Watt Homes, Anderson Properties, Sherl Curci and Santa Fe Energy, the landowners) withdrew an offer to sell 15 acres of the land to the Friends of Madrona Marsh and began to actively try to develop the land.

In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park. The story of the Preserve is written as a joint effort between the Friends of the Madrona Marsh and the City, however it is important to note that the City Council was siding with developers at this point.

“In one memorable City Council meeting the Torrance Investment Company suggested that the marsh “be moved” (because that’s a thing) two and a half miles north to Columbia Park.”

The City did eventually side with the Marsh and in 1987 42 acres were preserved for the creation of the Nature Center and Marsh Preserve. The Nature Center was built in 1990. The Metropolitan Water District funded the demonstration gardens and the Preserve is run with funding from the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Project.