The Nature Center...

The community's dream 30 years ago came to fruition on April 28, 2001. The project planning began in 1984 and the ground breaking ceremony was in November 1999. Bryant Palmer Soto was the architectural firm that was hired to design the Center. The building is approximately 8,000 square feet and it cost $1.8 million dollars which included $200,000 worth of exhibits. The Los Angeles County Safe Neighborhood Parks Acts of 1992 and 1996 Proposition A funds paid for the building and an additional $95,000.00 from the Parks and Recreation Department budget paid for the cost of furniture, supplies and equipments. 

Today...

There is a reception area, exhibit room, classroom, project lab, curator's lab, restrooms, gift shop, staff offices, administrative area, volunteer room, storage rooms and office equipment area. It is handicap accessible and has a large parking area.

The facility is an educational and interpretive center for the Madrona Marsh Preserve's natural resources and places the Preserve within its regional context. The nature center is a place where the wonders of nature can be explored and enjoyed by all ages within the community. The center offers special educational programs as well as docents, laboratories, books and other aids to understanding this unique habitat.

Nature Center Manager

Tracy Drake has been chosen to be the Nature Center Manager. Employed by the City of Torrance Parks and Recreation, Tracy is in charged of the overall management of the Nature Center, Educational and Interpretive programs both on the preserve and in the classroom, as well as outreach programs.

Tracy was an Interpreter I at the California State Park, Mojave Desert Sector where she managed also the store, volunteers and various programs.

Tracy's qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Leisure Studies at Cal State Long Beach and a M.S. in Parks and Recreation Administration from Indiana University.