The Topanga Canyon Docents is a group of dedicated volunteers who have been working to protect and preserve the Park for over 50 years. The Docents were formed in 1971 shortly after the park was established and incorporated as a nonprofit, charitable organization in 1981.

The original group of docents was made up of just a handful of volunteers who were passionate about the park and wanted to help educate visitors about its natural and cultural resources. Over the years, the group has grown to include over 50 active members, all of whom are trained in natural history and interpretation.

Docent training is offered “in house” once a year. Mentees receive in-depth instruction in everything that constitutes the Park’s ecosystem, as well as its history, going from the first inhabitants, the Tongva and Chumash people, to the present time.