They aren’t as famous for their annual migration as the Monarch butterfly, but millions of painted lady butterflies are winging their way along the coast from Mexico and Southern California, on their…
Environment
A two-year National Park Service research study of scat, aka poop, that focused on what coyotes eat in urban Los Angeles, culminated with a “scat party” Saturday morning, March 9, at the…
“My dear Kepler, what would you say of the learned here, who, replete with the pertinacity of the asp, have steadfastly refused to cast a glance through the telescope? What shall we…
The February full moon created a sensation because it was the second of three consecutive full “supermoons” this year. “Super” refers to a full or new moon that comes within 90 percent…
The first wave of wildflowers is beginning to peak in the Santa Monica Mountains and across Southern California, as rainfall totals continue to grow. Large expanses of California poppies are being reported…
More trails in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area have reopened following the Woolsey Fire, including two key segments of the Backbone Trail managed by the National Park Service. It took…
Hopefully, the freeze is over and our spring edibles can glory in our recent rains. One of our most useful wild spring plants is stinging nettles (Urtica dioica.) The plant is a…
Join experienced Topanga Canyon Docents, for free, guided nature walks in Topanga State Park every Sunday and second Saturday through June 30. The park is considered the largest wildland park in the…
According to the Worldwatch Institute, a single compost toilet can save well over 2,000 gallons of water each year at a rate of just four uses per day. Long-time Topanga resident Sue…
As of press time for this edition of the Messenger Mountain News, Fernwood has received 25.20 inches of rain. More rain is forecast to fall between now and when this issue actually reaches…