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A Sense of Place at Headwaters Corner
In May, the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) closed their offices in urban Canoga Park and moved to new headquarters at Headwaters Corner. Located at the intersection of Old Topanga Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway, on the edge of Calabasas and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the 6.36-acre site is both appropriate to MRT’s mission as a land trust and a fitting setting to offer many educational and public events that address stewardship in urban/wilderness areas. Headwaters Corner is a regional name for an area that contains Dry Canyon Creek, a headwater to the Los Angeles River that drains into the Pacific Ocean. The word “corner” evokes many ideas such as a corner of the Los Angeles River Watershed, an urban/wilderness interface, an environmental boundary of many ecosystems and an historic corner between the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. The City of Calabasas, Mountains Restoration Trust and the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy began purchasing property in the Headwaters Corner area in 2000. To date, they have bought over 88 parcels comprising 107 acres, most of it owned by the City of Calabasas. In addition to funds provided by the Mountains Restoration Trust, City of Calabasas, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Los Angeles County, help for acquisition financing was contributed by the California Department of Water Resources, California State Parks, federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the State Coastal Conservancy. With two single family structures, MRT’s property is the core of Headwaters Corner. Easily accessible, it is richly endowed with six ecosystems to offer a variety of educational possibilities. The six plant communities include a riparian (or stream-side) woodland, valley oak savanna, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, grassland and fresh water wetland. More than a quarter of a mile of Dry Canyon Creek runs through the property. The Mountains Restoration Trust headquarters are located at 3815 Old Topanga Canyon Road. Well suited for outdoor events, this updated 1940’s stucco structure is surrounded by patios and gardens. The MRT has staged three People and Wildlife programs as well as other events drawing hundreds of people. The older wooden Masson House, located around the corner at 23075 Mulholland Highway, was built just before the turn of the Twentieth Century as a homestead with 160 acres. In the late 1800’s, Topanga Canyon Road, now Old Topanga Canyon Road, led through the Santa Monica Mountains to the former Port of Los Angeles just west of Santa Monica. The wharf stretched out a mile from shore, the longest wooden wharf in the world at that time. The Masson House was strategically located on this road that carried goods from the San Fernando and Conejo Valleys, Santa Clarita and surrounding areas to the coast. Currently, Envicom is donating their services to map all resources and constraints of the property at Headwaters Corner. The map will include an archeological survey provided by MRT to ensure that trails will not impact Native American sites. A geomorphologist has looked at and will study the creek and its flood and watershed issues. Biologists have walked the property to give advice on restoration and preservation of the native plant communities and best management practices for landscaping near a natural open space area. Aerial and topographical maps as well as infrared photographs are used in the planning process.
All this preparation is to ensure that the site’s master plan will include activities that can be implemented without overtaxing the natural environment and harm it’s rich natural and cultural resources. The MRT’s goal is to demonstrate how humans and the natural environment can live in a mutually beneficial way. In the meantime, MRT is expanding research on the area’s history to find a suitable name for the park, and habitat restoration projects are restoring degraded areas at the site. The Mountains Restoration Trust is working with the City of Calabasas on a master plan for parks in the Headwaters Corner area including MRT property and the City’s Wild Walnut Park across the street. An interpretive center at the headquarters will include information about land restoration, stewardship, watershed issues, natural and cultural history, trails, photographs and maps. Other plans include educational, demonstrative and interpretive programs on the settlement of the region. One possibility is to develop a turn-of-the-century demonstration garden. A planned segment of the regionally significant Henry Ridge Trail runs through the property and will help connect Old Town Calabasas to parks within Headwaters Corner. When fully completed, this sixteen-mile trail will link Calabasas to Topanga and the Pacific Ocean. “MRT Project Manager Debbie O’Hare’s energy was instrumental in the proposal and progress of Headwaters Corner. The board of directors and staff have many individuals, agencies, and groups to thank for their efforts in creating this special center which is truly a gateway into the Santa Monica Mountains experience,” declared Frank Roberts, MRT board member. “The City of Calabasas can be very proud to be the home of Headwaters Corner.” If you’re interested in volunteering for restoration activities at Headwaters Corner, please see this issue’s Event Calendar. Look for future articles that will update you on plans, projects and programs at Headwaters Corner and other MRT properties.
The
Santa Monica Mountains
How did it all come about? Stephen Harris, MRT Director
explained, “One of our staff,
Carolin Atchison, was instrumental in involving the community to
get out the voters.” What has happened since? Since then, oversight committees have been formed for both districts. Members considered many possible acquisitions placed before them by staff. The public is encouraged to attend and present their favorite piece of open space. As soon as the lawsuit is settled, MRCA will be able to act upon the committees’ recommendations and begin the process of acquiring and protecting the last remaining open spaces in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains. “What was most rewarding to me was that the most densely populated area of the Santa Monica Mountains, that area which is east of the 405 Freeway, overwhelmingly voted in favor of paying $40 a year for the next 30 years to preserve open space,” offered Stephen Harris. Article by Carolin Atchison, Mountains Restoration Trust Project Manager
The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area includes
over 150,000 acres. About half of the area is protected open space.
The other half is developed or with a potential for development. This
mosaic of residential homes, businesses and wildlife habitat
Many new residents in communities adjacent to or within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area are escaping crowded, hectic city life. They move to rural areas for their beauty and solace, but often they bring city habits with them. Many of these practices do not work well in communities “on the edge” between developed and undeveloped land. In early 2003, as part of our on-going mission to engage residents in good stewardship practices, the Mountains Restoration Trust (MRT) joined with three other nonprofit groups to form a collaboration called “On The Edge.” The Mountain Lion Foundation, California Wildlife Center, The Nature of WildWorks and MRT each brought a certain expertise to develop a People and Wildlife Program designed to help reduce people/wildlife conflicts. “We need to look at it from the animal’s perspective,” explained MRT Director Stephen Harris. “It’s not the animals intruding on our space; we’re intruding on theirs.” According to Mr. Harris, humans have the responsibility to learn to live harmoniously with native animals in order to maintain healthy ecosystems that contribute to a community’s character. On the Edge’s People and Wildlife Programs feature live animals that cannot be returned to the wild because of injury, too much human contact or an inability to hunt. These ambassadors help instill a respect for wildlife and lessen some fears when seen up close. On the Edge representatives talk about the animals, their habits and habitats, and why they may come in conflict with people. The program offers lifestyle choices and advice to help keep wildlife in the wild and not in homes or backyards. Written materials further enhance the message. On the Edge has given People and Wildlife Programs in Malibu, Calabasas, Beverly Hills and Oak Park. Future events will be held in Brentwood in October and Topanga in November. In 2004, On the Edge plans to expand the neighborhood programs to Ventura County and other mountain ranges in the Los Angeles area. Many people, groups and elected officials have responded that there is a real need for this type of program. The practical information helps residents take actions that secure their pets and family while maintaining a diversity of wildlife
In the fall of 2003, the Mountains Restoration Trust begins its Youth Naturalist Program, a unique hands-on science program that is the only one of its kind in Calabasas and the Santa Monica Mountains. Held the second Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at Headwaters Corner, the program is designed for children ages eight to twelve years old. Participants will learn about nature with the aid of scientific tools, go on interpretive hikes, take an occasional field trip, and listen to guest speakers such as a representative from the Southwestern Herpetology Society, Molly Hogan with The Nature of WildWorks and the Sidewalk Astronomers. The programs will be held at Headwaters Corner, conveniently located at Old Topanga Canyon Road and Mulholland Highway. Most sessions include a hike, discovery lab and a related craft. Activities are prepared with the use of a strong science and environmental focus with hands-on and in-field instructional techniques that provide a positive and enriching learning experience.
Susan Haugland, an environmental education instructor with over fifteen years experience, developed a program with a wide array of subjects to excite young minds. The four programs for autumn/winter 2003 cover such subjects as reptiles and amphibians, mammals, Native American culture and astronomy. Participants will learn about natural history, ecological concepts and environmental concerns as well as about historical and cultural values. “Our goal is to help children, through education programs, grow up to be good stewards of the Earth,” declared Ms. Haugland. “Many people who live in the Santa Monica Mountains are adapted to urban life. They may be unaware of how they are destroying the natural environment in which they live.” The Youth Naturalist Program is the first of many planned environmental programs at Headwaters Corner. The City of Calabasas is working with the Mountains Restoration Trust to develop and fund the programs. One program will work in conjunction with local schools to offer field trips to Headwaters Corner and in-class sessions as follow-ups. Another program, suggested by Jeff Rubin with the City of Calabasas Community Services, has been designed to adapt the Youth Naturalist Program for a home schooling curriculum. Mr. Rubin commented, “We’re working to incorporate educational programs at Wild Walnut Park in conjunction with the Mountains Restoration Trust to offer young people a unique educational experience.” The Youth Naturalist Program complements MRT’s award-winning Cold Creek Docents Education Program. For over two decades, the Cold Creek Docents have given environmental education hikes to thousands of children a year at the UCLA Stunt Ranch Reserve and Cold Creek Preserve. In future issues, look for more articles about the Cold Creek Docents, Youth Naturalist Program and other MRT educational programs and projects. Each program costs a modest $15 per child to help cover costs. Autumn’s program topics include Mammals in October, Native American Culture in November and Astronomy in December. For more information about these programs, please see this issue’s Event Calendar or call Susan Haugland at 818.591.1701, extension 181. Reservations are required. Ms. Haugland would enjoy hearing your suggestion for subjects to explore in future programs.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES David
Frith-Smith
STAFF The
Mountains Restoration Trust
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