Topanga Canyon Docents’ Fall Training Starts Sept. 21 at Trippet Ranch

The Topanga Canyon Docents’ fall-training program is a great opportunity for people who want to learn more about nature and share what they learn with others.

The program—which begins on Sept. 21 at the Trippet Ranch Nature Center in Topanga State Park—will teach participants about plant and animal identification; the Tongva, the Chumash and their ancestors; archaeology in the park; and the significance of the state park’s climate, ecology and geology.

Educators and professional naturalists from local colleges, museums and conservation-based institutions teach classes. They take place on six alternating Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Four docent-led interpretive walks are on alternating Sunday mornings.

The cost of the program is $75. Download a registration form and a class schedule from www.TopangaDocents.org (see docent training).

During fall and winter, docents lead hikes for adults and schoolchildren, host the Nature Center and provide visitors to the park with information about trails as well as the natural and cultural resources of Topanga State Park.

The training and subsequent Topanga Canyon Docent membership offer participants with ongoing benefits such as seminars, educational workshops, hiking trips, social connections and events.

For more information and for registration, email docents board member Marc at marcbirenbaum@gmail.com or call docents board director Karin, 310.455.3143.

Do you engage in any volunteer activities in the neighborhood? How does it feel to give back? Tell us in the comments.