What’s in a name?

As Topangans—and many others since the COVID-19 lockdown—drive up Fernwood Pacific to Tuna Canyon, they may notice an ornate wooden sculpture, a sign, hand-carved and blending nicely into the oak woodland of Dix Creek like it’s been there since the 1960s.

The story behind the sign, “Robert Arthur Open Space Preserve� proclaims another victory for those who are dedicated to preserving Topanga’s open spaces.

Dix Creek is a major tributary in the Topanga Creek Watershed and the six-acre preserve is the headwaters, functioning as a valuable wildlife passage and view corridor with evidence (GPS) of mountain lion(s) using these seasonal ponds. The parcel is now part of 126 continuous acres of undisturbed land bordered on the north and south by many magnificent rock formations and pristine chaparral.

More than a decade ago, The Rocky Ledge Land Preservation Team was founded by Topanga residents Jeanne Dancs Arthur, R.C. Brody, William Preston Bowling, and Margaret Oakley. Together they “found� the money for the purchase and preservation of the property with funding of $206,000 from Coastal Habitat Impact Mitigation Funds; $148,000 from L.A. County Third Supervisorial District Prop 62 funds and $76,000 from Prop A funds; and $30,000 from private donations.

The team owes a great debt of gratitude to Paul Edelman, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (SMMC); Garrett Weinstein from the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA); and the willing and patient seller, Will Oak Wild. 

This was not the beginning of their endeavor. In addition to the Robert Arthur Open Space Preserve, The Rocky Ledge Land Preservation Team had secured more than $1.2 million and saved the adjacent 20 acres five years earlier, with help from County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and Assemblymember Julia Brownley. MRCA and SMMC now own these parcels and will keep the acreage pristine for all to enjoy.