TORRANCE

NATURE CENTER: The Torrance City Council has taken the first step toward creating a natural history center at the Madrona Marsh wildlife preserve.

With a combination of wetlands and sandy dunes, the 42-acre marsh is home to dozens of animals and birds, including warblers, herons, egrets and hummingbirds. It was acquired by the city in 1986, after years of legal and financial wrangling, and is bordered by Sepulveda Boulevard on the south, Plaza del Amo on the north, Madrona Avenue on the west and Maple Avenue on the east.

The council recently appointed an 11-member committee of environmental advocates, community leaders and city officials to help oversee construction of the center, which is expected to have a laboratory, library, exhibit hall and meeting room. In 1992, county voters approved a measure that set aside $1.5 million for construction of the center.

The committee will hold public hearings and make proposals to the council on how to spend the funds most effectively, said Mayor Katy Geissert.