The Topanga Creek Stream Team
wants YOU! This all volunteer group
of over 90 committed members
participates in numerous watershed
research and monitoring projects.
They also form the core group of
concerned stakeholders who help clean the creek twice each year. No experience necessary! The only requirements for participation are enthusiasm and willingness to get a bit wet and dirty sometimes! This is a great way to get up close and personal experience with the wonderful critters who share the Creek with us.

Details on dates and times of activities changes according to the weather! Be sure to get on the mailing and phone list so that you are alerted when opportunities arise!

To find out more, contact Rosi Dagit, Sr. Conservation Biologist at the RCDSMM

 

For Wildlife Observers......

Even if you don’t want to be a formal member of the Topanga Creek Stream Team, you can still make a contribution by submitting your wildlife observations to our database. Just email your observations of mountain lions, bobcats, bats, tarantulas, or anything else you find interesting to info@rcdsmm.org. We hope to keep track of the trends of wildlife sightings, both rare and common throughout the watershed.

For Weather Buffs.....

Another opportunity for participating is to keep a rain gage and record all rain events around 7am each morning. Since 1993, over 50 volunteers throughout the watershed have been keeping rain data records to help us understand the patterns of rainfall throughout Topanga. Typically, locations in Fernwood and Old Topanga get more rainfall than areas further east. The data has been really helpful in designing suitable restoration plans for a variety of creek locations. To participate, you first have to get a rain gage and place it in an open area, where drips from the roof, trees or other objects will not interfere, and the dog (or coyotes) won’t knock it over. Then note the date, time and rainfall amount in either inches or mm (be sure to tell us which one you use!). The water year goes from July to July. Be sure to put your name, address and phone number on the data sheet. Either mail it or drop it off at the RCDSMM office at 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. each July. Many thanks to all of you who have been participating for so long!

 

We are always interested in locations where hawks and other birds are nesting, especially information about the trees they select for their nests. Data collected by the dedicated birders of Topanga has allowed us to work effectively with Southern CA Edison, Caltrans and LA County Department of Public Works to ensure that any tree trimming is done to avoid impacts to nests! There is also a regular bird walk every weekend at Topanga State Park. Check the Topanga Messenger for details.