Research & Teaching
Research and Teaching
Big Creek Reserve is a living laboratory and outdoor classroom that facilitates research and teaching at all levels of academia by any academic institution in the world.
Explore the subjects below and learn about the work that’s happening at this central coast field station and how that work is supported.
Scientific Research Programs
Here you will find a list of links to ongoing research projects at Big Creek Reserve
NOAA Fisheries Steelhead Population Study
Redwood Climate Change Initiative
Partnership for the Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans
University Courses
Field courses that commnly use Big Creek Reserve include:
Ecology and Conservation in Practice (ENVS and EEB, UCSC)
California Ecology and Conservation (All UC Campuses)
Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program
Introduction to Field Research and Conservation (EEB, UCSC)
Introduction to Envrionmental Field Methods (ENVS, UCSC)
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program (UCSC)
Moss Landing Marine Laboratory Scientific Diving Course (Cal State Monterey Bay)
On-site Support
Visitor Services
The visitor center is a work space open to all users. It is the starting place for visiting Big Creek Reserve. The lobby contains a staff office, restrooms, a meeting room, maps, a phone, and an emergency radio. This building also contains the classroom which serves the purposes of lectures, meetings and group events.
Resident reserve staff are on site and available to assist or provide guidance with using the reserve lands for research and teaching. Please use us as a resouce to learn about all the nooks and crannies at Big Creek, to inquire about where your species of interest may be, or how best to get to an area on the reserve.
Cyberinfrastructure
Big Creek has a network of digital radio links as well as UHF radio communication capabilities. All the buildings have wifi. The campgrounds do not. Access to the wifi network is provided upon approval of a reservation to visit. Two-way radios are available for remote field work and course hikes. Please inquire with reserve personnel when planning your visit.
Diving and Boating
Scuba diving at Big Creek Reserve is overseen by the UCSC Diving & Boating Safety Program. The DSP assists, trains and maintains students, faculty and staff in compliance with UCSC scientific diving regulations, as well as Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the American Academy o fUnderwater Sciences requirements.
Diving at Big Creek:
1) All UCSC science divers working on a UCSC project need to submit a dive project proposal to DSP as well as file a Big Creek use application.
2) All UCSC science divers needing proficiency dives may dive at Big Creek without a dive project proposal but need to file a Big Creek use application.
3) Non-UCSC science divers need to file a Big Creek use application. A Letter of Reciprocity (LOR) from diver’s Diving Safety Officer is required. These divers need to contact the Reserve Director and be trained when they use UCSC equipment (compressor).
Boating at Big Creek:
1) All UCSC boaters need to submit a boating project proposal to DSP as well as file a Big Creek use application.
2) Non-UCSC boaters need to file a Big Creek use application. A Letter of Reciprocity (LOR) from boater’s Boating Safety Officer is required. These boaters need to contact the Reserve Director and be trained when they use UCSC equipment (inflatable, engine).