By Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System A warming climate has left California at ever-increasing risk of catastrophic wildfire. Few parts of the state have been spared. Conflagrations once mostly confined to mountain communities are now devastating coastal and foothill areas from Sonoma to San Diego. This expansion of wildfire threats has left Californians dangerously […]
Blog Post
2022–23 Mathias Grants awarded
by Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System For the undertakers of the insect world, death must precede the arrival of a new generation. Burying beetles of the genus Nicrophorus need a carcass on which to lay their eggs and feed their larvae. The hitch in this plan: the fact that dead bodies tend to be […]
Fog binds California and Chile together
By Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System The thick fog that cloaks California shorelines over summer has an atmospheric counterpart south of the equator. Marine fog not only drenches coastal sections of the South American nation of Chile, but is so reliable that some communities there use fog for drinking water. And in both areas, […]
A legacy of research: Sedgwick turns 25
By Keith Hamm, UC Santa Barbara Just before the pavement gave way to gravel, Marion Wittmann pulled over to take in the view across Sedgwick Reserve. From a wooden bench at the overlook, her gaze lifted from the valley floor and Figueroa Creek to the sandstone ridgelines climbing toward Zaca Peak deep in the Santa […]
Study of sundowner winds offers wildfire forecasting insights
By Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System Nestled between the blue Pacific and the steep rise of the Santa Ynez Mountains, the beach town of Santa Barbara is extraordinarily picturesque. But the surroundings that make for such handsome photos also have a sinister side. They’re responsible for one of the area’s greatest dangers—the sundowner winds […]
Student research gear closet lowers barriers to field experiences
By Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System Enjoying time in nature is much more comfortable with the right stuff. Gear such as hiking boots and a warm sleeping bag can spell the difference between a transformative experience and an utterly miserable outing. But buying outdoor basics can take considerable financial means. For cash-strapped college students, […]
Unseen California arts initiative uses NRS reserves as canvas
By Kathleen Wong, UC Natural Reserve System The reserves of the UC Natural Reserve System are best known for fostering science teaching and research. But that long-standing reputation is broadening. A new arts initiative from UC Santa Cruz, Unseen California, aims to connect both professional artists and UC students with reserves. Challenging artists to engage […]
Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve expands
By Land Trust of Napa County/UC Davis News and Media Relations Nearly 500 acres of the California Coast Range’s signature oak woodlands and chaparral communities will be incorporated into the Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve under a transfer between the Land Trust of Napa County and the University of California, Davis. Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve is a premier destination […]