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	THE MADRONA MARSH NATURE PRESERVE CENTER (Text and Photos by Pete Porter)

The Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve Center held a Garden Party and Open House on April 15, this year. Although the Marsh Preserve itself has been here for around thirty five years, the Nature Preserve Center was celebrating the fact that it was opened five years ago. This is a magnificent building and is located on the North side of the Marsh, just across Plaza del Amo. Staff and volunteers in the Center provide educational and interprative programs about the Madrona Nature Preserve's natural resources. An official ceremony was held in the Water-wise garden, located to the rear of the building.

Bill Arrowsmith (President of "Friends of Madrona Marsh) started the program by welcoming the Honored Guests who were in attendance. Opening Remarks were made by Torrance Mayor, Dan Walker, and Bill Wright presented a Check and Proclamation from the Metropolitan Water District. Representative Tammy Kahn gave a short speech on behalf of State Senator Debra Bowen, and then State Assemblyman Ted Lieu (formerly on the Torrance City Council) gave a speech praising the efforts that have been made by all those involved in the project.

Bill Arrowsmith closed by introducing The Madrona Marsh manager, Tracy Drake,
and then urged those present to take a guided tour with docent Tony Baker, of the Native Plant Garden. This garden is situated to one side of the Center
Like the Center, the garden is now five years old and helps to give an idea what the Reserve will look like after it is finally restored. A lot of the plants within the garden can be used in our own gardens, so the Center garden is well worth a visit.

I met Vice President, Connie Vadheim, as I was listening to the tour details. Connie was using a digital camera to record the day's events and told me that, although many of the same people volunteer at both the Arboretum (on Crenshaw Boulevard) and the Marsh, the Marsh is a City project whereas the Arboretum is a County owned facility. As such, the two locations are not connected and we should all be proud of the fact that our City has taken this independant step to provide this environment.

I spent some time walking along the many trails that criss-cross the Marsh. During my walk I met up with a pair of students named Teddy and Jonathon. These boys told me that they were happy to be spending their free time by helping to maintain the Marsh so that everyone can enjoy it. Volunteers like these, many of them RSVP members, do similar work.

Although I didn't meet any of our members on this day, I know that some of them help out in the Gift Shop as well as at many other places. Before leaving, I spent some time looking at the many items on display in the shop and meeting with Linda Brown, Venora Lee and one of the many Friends of Madrona Marsh who were there.

The Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and is well worth a visit. Volunteers are welcome so please contact the RSVP Office if you are interested.

	The Madrona Marsh Nature Preserve Center held a Garden Party and Open House on April 15, this year. Although the Marsh Preserve itself has been here for around thirty five years, the Nature Preserve Center was celebrating the fact that it was opened five years ago. This is a magnificent building and is located on the North side of the Marsh, just across Plaza del Amo. Staff and volunteers in the Center provide educational and interprative programs about the Madrona Nature Preserve's natural resources. An official ceremony was held in the Water-wise garden, located to the rear of the building.
Bill Arrowsmith (President of "Friends of Madrona Marsh) started the program by welcoming the Honored Guests who were in attendance. Opening Remarks were made by Torrance Mayor, Dan Walker, and Bill Wright presented a Check and Proclamation from the Metropolitan Water District. Representative Tammy Kahn gave a short speech on behalf of State Senator Debra Bowen, and then State Assemblyman Ted Lieu (formerly on the Torrance City Council) gave a speech praising the efforts that have been made by all those involved in the project.
Bill Arrowsmith closed by introducing The Madrona Marsh manager, Tracy Drake,	and then urged those present to take a guided tour with docent Tony Baker, of the Native Plant Garden. This garden is situated to one side of the Center	Like the Center, the garden is now five years old and helps to give an idea what the Reserve will look like after it is finally restored. A lot of the plants within the garden can be used in our own gardens, so the Center garden is well worth a visit.
	I met Vice President, Connie Vadheim, as I was listening to the tour details. Connie was using a digital camera to record the day's events and told me that, although many of the same people volunteer at both the Arboretum (on Crenshaw Boulevard) and the Marsh, the Marsh is a City project whereas the Arboretum is a County owned facility. As such, the two locations are not connected and we should all be proud of the fact that our City has taken this independant step to provide this environment.
I spent some time walking along the many trails that criss-cross the Marsh. During my walk I met up with a pair of students named Teddy and Jonathon. These boys told me that they were happy to be spending their free time by helping to maintain the Marsh so that everyone can enjoy it. Volunteers like these, many of them RSVP members, do similar work.
	Although I didn't meet any of our members on this day, I know that some of them help out in the Gift Shop as well as at many other places. Before leaving, I spent some time looking at the many items on display in the shop and meeting with Linda Brown, Venora Lee and one of the many Friends of Madrona Marsh who were there.

The Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. and is well worth a visit. Volunteers are welcome so please contact the RSVP Office if you are interested.