New Faces at Topanga’s Local RCD

By Angelica “Jelly” Kahler

In 2022, Dr. Daniel S. Cooper to the Biology Department, joining Rosi Dagit as one of now two Senior Conservation Biologists. Dan has also agreed to serve as our first Deputy Executive Officer, a position designed to support our growing organization. Dan holds degrees from Harvard and UC Riverside, and recently achieved a Ph.D. in

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at UCLA. As author of “Important Bird Areas of California” (Audubon California 2004), he is recognized as an authority on California bird ecology and maintains a strong background in native plants, herptiles and mammals, specifically those found in the Santa Monica Mountains. Running his own ecological consulting business for nearly 20 years, Dan has overseen numerous monitoring projects and assessments for public agencies, consulting firms, private landowners and nonprofit organizations throughout Southern California, and has taught courses on local ecology at Loyola Marymount and UCLA. We look forward to the contributions he

April 1st Begins Poetry Month. Submit your poems to: editor@thecanyonchronicle.com

The Challenge Space

Awakened by the Challenge Space –

To assess the dreams of life.

The space between art and audience. Between art and self.

The last gap between the sea ahead and shore –Through and into Paradise or Hell.

Man is a ship sewing its own sailsFinding the wind in search of home.

Alive in the course!

Balanced and sleek through all matterConscious of the rules of seamanship and salesmanship.

Doing the work -

Feeling the Sun and knowing the Stars.

There is a beauty in learning the ropes -

Tying and untying necessary and unnecessary knots.

Those moments the hull lifts above the water

With frictionless ease

Only to face the waves, the currents, the storms.

Then look at the sailor’s hands –Ropy and knotted, themselves.

Tools worn of the work done and still to be doneBeneath the bluest heaven and the whitest clouds.

For it’s not the destination after all –

But the journey and the ride

That make a man a sailor will be able to offer our expanding district.

Beneath all kind of skies.

RCD’s Newest WSP Member, Nate Kamm. Driven by his passion for watershed science and the State of California, Nate Kamm joined the RCD team in October as our 2022-23 Watershed Stewards Program (WSP) Member, a hybrid AmeriCorps and CA Conservation Corps organization.

Nate holds a BS in Chemistry from Loyola University New Orleans and has a variety of experience in plant ecology and entomology, watershed science, and studying California wildlife like the CA Spotted Owl and Goshawk populations. From evaluating avalanche conditions before a back-country ski adventure to backpacking in search of breathtaking trout streams to fly fish, Nate’s passion for the outdoors is evident even outside the office. Nate chose to serve at the RCD of the Santa Monica Mountains because he is excited to help people rediscover that the beauty of the outdoors can always be found throughout dense urban areas. During his term, Nate is most eager to facilitate restoration volunteer events, engage with students, and work with researchers to better protect endangered Southern Steelhead Trout. We look forward to what the rest of Nate’s term of service has in store for him and cannot wait to see what exciting perspectives he will bring to our ever-growing team.

—Alan Adler / 3-24-23