Located on a precipitous peninsula in one of the driest parts of the northern Coast Ranges, the Quail Ridge Reserve projects into Lake Berryessa and provides outstanding remnants of native grassland, savanna, and oak woodland habitats, extensive chaparral, and several small ponds. The reserve has become an innovative resource for cross-disciplinary research and instruction, including studies on wireless networks and automated animal tracking.
The 2020 LNU Lightning Complex fire burned the entire understory of the reserve. Fire intensity varied across the landscape and different habitats, resulting in a suite of regeneration timelines.
Field Courses
A variety of college and university courses from UC Davis and surrounding schools use the reserve. Courses include ecology, wildlife biology, entomology, herpetology, and botany.
Public Outreach
Outreach activities are coordinated with Stebbins Cold Canyon Reserve, which is open to the public.
Selected Research
- Floral studies include effects of grazing on the evolution of plant life history; pollen loads in Clarkia unguiculata; and spatial segregation of coyote brush.
- Biological surveys of butterflies, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Ringtail home range, territory size, and density in foothill woodlands.
- Studies of wild turkey populations.
- Lyme disease studies.
Location
Southeast Napa County, on a southern peninsula of Lake Berryessa; 45 minute drive from the Davis campus.
Facilities
Several overnight options are available for individuals and groups of up to 40 people. The field station includes a laboratory/workspace. Camping areas are available for class use.
Reserve bibliography
The reserve bibliography includes citations of journal articles, books, theses, art, and other works published about or based on activities conducted at the reserve.
Databases
Plant List
Natural history handbook with species lists; meteorological; GIS layers; herpetological arrays.
Personnel
Reserve director and steward
Size
1,010 hectares (2,500 acres)
Elevation
134 to 462 m (440 to 1,516 ft.)
Average Precipitation
62 cm (24 in.) per year.
Average Temperatures
January: 8 ºC (46 ºF)
July: 28 ºC (82 ºF)
