Visit to Madrona Marsh Preserve

Did you know that much of Southern California's coastal area used to be marshland?  I didn't.  My husband and I visited the Madrona Marsh Preserve in nearby Torrance for the first time this week.  Hidden in plain sight, surrounded by condos, gas stations, retail stores and a stone's throw from a major shopping mall, neither of us knew much of anything about it.  I knew that it offered birds a sanctuary within this urban area, mainly because my mother-in-law, an avid birder, used to visit there to observe migrating birds.  I learned that it was scenic from a friend who visits seeking inspiration for her paintings.  But, despite passing the area more times than we can count during the years we've lived in the South Bay, neither of us had ever visited the Preserve.  Of course, visiting a marshland in the middle of the driest rainy season I can remember probably wasn't the best choice for our first visit but one takes these opportunities when they present themselves.  If nothing else, with the weather here still on the unseasonably warm side, it was a pleasant day for a walk.

The wetland preserve is comprised of 45 acres in the middle of the City of Torrance (see map here)

There were many signs within the gated Preserve to remind you of the fragility of the space.

This sign, posted on the back of the metal gates through which we entered, had me double-checking that I had my phone with me.

The Preserve boasts 9 vernal pools but with rainfall at record lows during this year's rainy season it wasn't surprising that they all looked like this:

The vernal pool areas featured sticks to measure the water level.  As best as I was able to tell, all measured zero.

We passed a biofiltration system before heading toward the wetland area.

This biofilter system is set up using a perennial grass from India to filter contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals) carried into the area by urban runoff  before directing the water to other areas of the wetland.  It was dry at the time of our visit.

The flags along this path signify new native plantings.  Very little is currently in flower so you won't see my usual splashy flowers in this post.

As we approached the wetland area, we saw the grass-like tule first.  Tule (Schoenoplectus acutus) is a giant species of sedge native to the freshwater marshes throughout North America.

Some of those condos surrounding the Preserve are visible in the distance here

We could make out ducks from a distance but the paths kept us from getting too close and some areas were fenced off to protect them from being disturbed.

The reflections in the water showed me why the area attracts my painter friend

The Preserve's website has much better photos of the many birds known to migrate through the area, including hummingbirds, woodpeckers, hawks, egrets, and herons.  The Preserve's winged visitors even featured in a float at this year's Rose Parade.

This was my best duck photo.  My husband spotted 2 geese sunning themselves on a berm in the middle of the pond but my photo is too fuzzy to share.

When water levels are higher, I expect that many of these trees sit right in it

As we headed back toward the entrance, we spotted the on-site nursery, where native plants are grown to be planted out within the Preserve.

There are much better photos available on the Preserve's website, taken during greener periods.  We'll definitely visit again, hopefully after there's been some rain.  (I still have hope!)  There's ample parking outside the Nature Center across the street and entrance is free.

The Nature Center is surrounded by a more manicured garden featuring native plants

Although flowers were in short supply during our visit, I was attracted by a couple of natives and may hunt these down for inclusion in my own garden.

Bush sunflower, Encelia californica (left) and hummingbird sage, Salvia spathacea (right), are both low water use plants

Best wishes for a pleasant weekend!


All material © 2012-2018 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party