Professional Detection Detectives
On Saturday, October 19, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., the Resource District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM) invites the public to participate in a Professional “Detection Detectives” workshop to learn how to document and confirm invasive pests.
Rosi Dagit, Sr. Biologist for RCD, will present an introduction followed by Dr. John Kabashima, of University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR), who will give a review and status update of the invasive shot hole borers (ISHB) and other tree pests in the Los Angeles area. A field survey will be led by UCANR to document invasive beetles at Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve.
For future reference, in case that you cannot attend this event on such short notice, visit rcdsmm.org/resources/caring-for-your-oak-trees for requirements and directions on how to join this program and project.
The workshop costs $50 and participants are required to take the UCANR online training course for ISHB and the gold-spotted oak borer (GSOB); to join iNaturalist and Santa Monica Bad Beetle Watch Project for the field-based event.
Join the Stream Team to Remove Crayfish from Topanga Creek
On Saturday November 2, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., the RCDSMM Stream Team will be removing carnivorous crayfish invaders from Topanga Creek. Volunteers can just show up at the Topanga bridge located two miles north of Pacific Coast Highway and two miles south of Topanga Lumber. Please carpool as parking is limited along the road shoulder and any vehicle parked outside the white line could get a ticket.
Wear shoes that tie securely, such as old sneakers (no flip flops, bare feet or tevas!), and come prepared to get wet to the waist. RCD provides the bait, buckets, and nets. Children under 16 need to be accompanied by an adult who can sign the State Park release form. There is no trail and it is a short hike down a steep slop to the creek.
The RCDSMM Stream Team has been caring for Topanga Creek for over 25 years. The organization has no funding for these kinds of events, so your tax-deductible donations are appreciated and help make it possible to continue these efforts.
For more information or to donate online: rcdsmm.org/donate; or send a check to the local RCDSMM office located at 540 S. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290