UC San Diego Natural Reserve System
Located close to campus, the four reserves of the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System protect tidal marsh, sandy beach, chaparral, and riparian woodland. These prime examples of San Diego habitats are convenient sites for class field trips, local researchers, and avid hikers alike.
Dawson Los Monos Canyon Reserve
The reserve surrounds Agua Hedionda Creek as it flows through a steep canyon and its surrounding slopes on its way to the ocean. Chaparral lilac, sage, and chamise bloom above a riparian area shaded by sycamores and an open, grassy meadow in this important remnant wildlife corridor in San Diego County’s western foothills.
Elliott Chaparral Reserve
Occupying a narrow ridge and its adjacent slopes, Elliot Chaparral Reserve offers a glimpse of natural San Diego with expanses of native chamise, coastal sage scrub, and riparian forest. Studies of how future changes in rainfall will affect grasslands, as well as how sage scrub recovers from fire, are among the many types of research that have occurred here.
Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve
The last remnant of undeveloped tidal marsh in San Diego’s Mission Bay, the reserve includes salt flats, tidal channels, eel grass beds, and a sand spit. Located relatively close to campus, the reserve offers both an excellent field teaching venue for students as well as a home for endangered birds such as Ridgway’s rail and Belding’s savannah sparrow.
Scripps Coastal Reserve
The reserve encompasses a knoll with a commanding view of the Pacific and the beach, tidepools, and entrance to a submarine canyon visible below. Open to the public and close to campus, the reserve is a popular spot for hikers and class field trips.