By Guy Lasnier, UC Santa Cruz Boulders the size of vehicles and decades-old redwoods were ripped from the banks of the Big Creek drainage when an atmospheric river inundated the Landels-Hill Big Creek Natural Reserve on the Big Sur coast in late January. More than 14 inches fell in two bouts in a 50-hour period between […]
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The nature of UC
Reserve Operations and COVID-19
During the unprecedented public health crisis posed by the spread of COVID-19, the UC Natural Reserve System supports the cancellation of any reservation to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff. Reserve visitation remains the authority of respective campus NRS and reserve staff. Reserves are empowered to make the determination to cancel reservations as needed on a case-by-case basis. COVID-19 Information for UC employees provides guidance for all University of California operations. We consider the well being of our community to be paramount, and enjoin all staff and visitors to continue our exemplary 55-year record of service and safety.
Peggy Fiedler
Executive Director
UC Natural Reserve System
About us
The UC Natural Reserve System is a library of ecosystems throughout California. Most of the state's major habitat types are represented, from coastal tidepools to inland deserts, and lush wetlands to redwood forests. No other network of field sites can match its size, scope, and ecological diversity. The NRS offers outdoor laboratories to field scientists, classrooms without walls for students, and nature’s inspiration to all.By the numbers
What we do
News and Highlights

Consequences of fire on California ecosystems
When fires sweep across the landscape, they do much more than incinerate flammable items in their way. Flames cause chemical changes to soils, drive out animals, and expose areas to far more sun and rain than they once experienced. In some cases, a burn can be enough to shift not only erosion patterns but entire […]

Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve partially reopens
by Sarah Oktay, UC Davis Natural Reserve System Hikers will be able to return to Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve Monday (Feb. 15), but not all of the trails on the property will be open immediately. The reserve, part of the UC Natural Reserve system and managed by UC Davis, has been closed since the LNU Lightning […]
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