In the News
Read about the latest news and events involving the RCD
Article Links & Additional Stories
Steelhead Symposium Recap – 2026
Over one hundred scientists, Tribal members, agency staff, advocates, and anglers coallesced at the 2026 Southern Steelhead Symposium to share successes, restoration progress, fish data, and strategies for ongoing recovery of this vital endangered species – and your RCD was there!
We provided updates on our local population of steelhead following the Palisades Fire, a heart warming story of success in the face of disaster. Read a full recap of the symposium at the link below.
Highlights from 2026 Steelhead Symposium
Sixteen Wild Years at the Hollywood Bowl
Did you know RCDSMM biologists have been conducting wildlife surveys at the world famous outdoor amphitheater, the Hollywood Bowl?
Over the past 16 years, data has been collected on the flora and fauna that inhabit the hills surrounding this iconic entertainment arena. Hundreds of unique species frequent and flit through this space, and our biologists have caught a few on wildlife cameras. From bobcats to deer, lizards, birds and even mountain lions – theres a treasured trove of animals enjoying LA’s backyard. Catch a few on camera and learn about population patterns in the article below.
Santa Monica Mountains’ last population of steelhead not only survive the fires but find a way to reproduce
In the wake of the Palisades Fire, the RCDSMM leapt into action to protect the last population of steelhead trout left in the Santa Monica Mountains. A team of 80 agency partners and volunteers saved and transported over 270 individuals, as many as they could catch. But a small population of trout were left behind. Not only did this small and mighty population survive the fires but also the deadly mudflows that followed. Their resilience was only further proved when they managed to reproduce in spring. Read this inspiring story of strength and resilience in an article from the LA Times below.
Check out the LA Times article here
A rare piece of California’s coastal ecosystem gets a lifeline
Check out this thoughtful piece by Erin Rode, as they cover the preservation and restoration of one of Southern California’s last coastal wetlands, Topanga Lagoon.
Endangered Steelhead have a safe haven at an Huntington Beach High School
With the help of the RCDSMM, CDFW and local politicians, Edison High School in Huntington Beach has officially opened a holding facility for steelhead trout. The facility will serve as a temporary holding spot for natural steelhead immediately threatened by a climate disaster, similar to Topanga trout that were nearly extirpated after the Palisades Fire.
Read more about this innovative lab from the OC Register here
What is LA doing to prevent future fire disasters?
Discover how Los Angeles is working together to prevent future disasters from wildfire. Learn what our Principal Conservation Biologist, Dan Cooper, had to say on the topic of learning to live with wildfire in the Santa Monicas.
Read the LA Times article here
Protecting the Santa Monica Mountains Through Fish Rescues & Habitat Monitoring
Check out this article from partners at the Malibu Creek Ecosystem Restoration Project, which covers recent fish rescues the RCD was a part of as well as even more recent habitat mapping we conducted to benefit the Malibu Creek ecosystem.
Read their newsletter article here
Rescued Tidewater Gobies Returned Home After Wildfires
After 5 months, rescued tidewater gobies that were being held at Aquarium of the Pacific and Heal the Bay, have been returned to their home in Topanga. The RCDSMM alongside partners from both aquariums, CSU Channel Islands, CA State Parks, LACDBH, LA County Lifeguards and USFWS gathered on June 17th to release these endangered fish and celebrate their return.
Read more about the release in the articles below!
Read this piece from Spectrum 1
LA Raptor Project Helps People & Wildlife
Learn how community science projects, like the LA Raptor Study, benefit both local wildlife and the community members that partake in this article, featuring the RCDSMM’s own Principal Conservation Biologist, Dr. Dan Cooper.
Rescued Steelhead Begin to Spawn in Their New Home!
Endangered Southern Steelhead rescued from Topanga Creek in the wake of the Palisades Fire have begun spawning in their new home!
In January the RCDSMM, alongside many partners, helped rescue fragile fish from Topanga Creek and as of April, these resilient fish have already begun reproducing in their new habitat. Read more about this incredible rescue effort and a hopeful new beginning in the articles below.
Get an update from the LA Times
Invasive Plants & Fire
Alexandra Applegate from KCRW joined our Research & Restoration team during one of our oak woodland volunteer events. While shadowing not just our team, but our friends at Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area and Samo Fund, Alexandra learned more about the dangerous fire feedback loop invasive plants are helping to fuel within the Santa Monica Mountains.
While the work to eradicate invasive plants can seem never ending at times, our team remains hopeful. With the help of our community and the strength of native oak woodlands, perhaps we can learn to live in harmony with fire and our natural environment.
Watch Our Principal Conservation Biologist be Recognized in Celebration of Women’s History Month!
While celebrating Women’s History Month, the RCDSMM’s own Rosi Dagit was recognized by the Third District and Lindsey Horvath for her incredible contribution to the conservation of local fish species in Topanga. Watch the recognition ceremony at the link below.
Watch Rosi Dagit be recognized by our local District!
Rescued Steelhead Trout Find Their Way Back Into a Natural Creek
Check out this blog post from LA River Fly Fishing, written by our very own Senior Conservation Biologist, Rosi Dagit, detailing the rescue and release of southern steelhead trout from Topanga Creek in the wake of recent fires.
Hundreds of Endangered Southern Steelhead Rescued from Topanga Creek
Your RCDSMM alongside partners from CA Department of Fish & Wildlife, National Marine Fisheries Service, Cachuma Operation & Maintenance Board, CalTrans, the Watershed Stewards Program in association with AmeriCorps and the CA Conservation Corps rescued over 250 southern steelhead trout from the fire impacted waters of Topanga Creek in January of 2025.
You can read more about the day’s events in the articles below. You can also watch some of our team in action on a segment of Nightly News with Lester Holt.
Hundreds of Endangered Tidewater Gobies Rescued from Topanga Lagoon
Your RCDSMM alongside partners from USFWS, USGS & CSU Channel Islands managed to rescue over 750 tidewater gobies from Topanga Lagoon, which was heavily impacted from the devastating fires that ripped through the Palisades. This project was made possible by CA State Parks, LACDBH and LA County Lifeguards.
Our team was joined by Lila Seidman, a reporter at the LA Times, who wrote an article describing our epic day. Check out the article at the link below.
We are grateful to Heal the Bay and Aquarium of the Pacific who both agreed to house these fish until they can return home. Check out Aquarium of the Pacific’s update on the project at the link below!
Spectrum 1 & ABC 7 also covered the rescue and give you a snapshot into how the gobies are doing at their new temporary home.
Watch Spectrum 1’s coverage here
Wildlife Crossings Benefit More Than Just Mammals
While migratory and larger mammals may intially come to mind when we think of critters that are likely to utilize wildlife crossings, the benefits extend to many more mountainous animals, including our feathered friends! Check out the Audubon article below, featuring LA’s own wildlife crossing, to find out how avian species will take advantage of future crossings.
Discover How to Increase the Fire Resilience of Your Home by 40%
Check out the following news piece from Univision all about creating more fire resilient homes in CA – beginning from construction – featuring the RCD’s Fire Resistent Demonstration Structure!
The Importance of Light and Soundscapes when Building Wildlife Crossings
Many conservation and transportation agencies throughout CA have become increasingly interested in wildlife crossings, which enable threatened wildlife to traverse over busy highways. But if wildlife do not use these structures due to noise, light or unwelcoming vegetation, these crossings may not entice wildlife to cross at all.
Read the paper below to learn more, which the RCD’s own Executive Officer was a part of.