Krikor Andonian and Tim Miller, instructors of the NRS’s California Ecology and Conservation program, deliver a report from the field on their Fall 2020 course. CEC program is one of relatively few UC classes being conducted in person right now, and is likely be the only one that will remain in its own social bubble for the entire quarter. The fact that students and staff can reside at isolated NRS reserves makes teaching this field program feasible.
We have been living, working, eating, and learning together as a community for 14 days. Despite much concern over how to operate such a unique field course in the time of a pandemic, we have all been doing quite well and working together to make things as smooth as they could be.
The group is feeling incredibly grateful to be learning in-person and in nature, despite the occasional rattlesnake that visits our barn! Our COVID protocols have introduced a few new challenges, but despite slowing us down a bit, we have all grown accustomed to the culture of caution in order to facilitate this remarkable learning experience.
The headquarters of Blue Oak Ranch Reserve, where the course is beginning its term. The course’s four vans can be seen parked at the Cedar Barn. Image: Joselyne Jaramillo The wildfire that burned across half of the reserve in late August offered students an opportunity to examine the effects of burning on an oak savanna ecosystem. Image: Joselyne Jaramillo
Student projects have been diverse and fruitful so far. A few groups have chosen to research the effects of the recent SCU Lightning Complex fires that burned many UC Natural Reserves, including half of Blue Oak Ranch Reserve. Students have been collecting data on how the fire has affected insect communities, squirrel behavior, and the presence of mammals. Other groups have been studying lichen distribution, bullfrog feeding behavior, ant foraging behavior, and the effects of disturbance on invasive plants.
Masks reduced the risk of coronavirus infection and served to reduce soot inhalation as students explored the reserve. Image: Joselyne Jaramillo Oaks often rot from the center, leaving a place for fire embers to continue to burn. This tree was consumed from the inside out from such a trunk fire. Image: Joselyne Jaramillo The mask rule applied even at the microscope. Image: Joselyne Jaramillo
Thursday, Oct. 15 was our first day as an officially COVID-free pod, when we shed our masks and distancing protocols. For the first time, all of us can interact as we would have before the world changed last winter.
We wrapped up field research Thursday and shifted gears to begin data analysis. Students presented on their projects Friday.
All in all, the first two weeks of this term have been remarkable, enriching, and rewarding. Next, we travel north to Angelo Coast Range Reserve to greet the redwoods, the Eel River, and its many pristine tributaries.