The University of California Natural Reserve System relaunched as UC Nature at a symposium held on April 7 at the Lawrence Hall of Science in Berkeley. The event marked more than six decades of supporting research, education, and public service through field stations and outdoor laboratories across California.
The relaunch aims to expand UC Nature’s role in addressing environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and increasing pressures on land and water systems. University leaders, government partners, faculty, and students gathered to discuss the network’s achievements and its future as a champion for environmental matters.
Janet Reilly, Chair of the UC Board of Regents, welcomed attendees by reflecting on UC Nature’s impact on young people. She noted that more than 36,000 university-level students each year visit reserves for immersive experiences in nature. Steve Monfort, Executive Director of UC Nature, said it was fitting to hold the event at UC Berkeley due to its historical connection with field research. “We intend to serve as a front door for UC’s engagement with the natural world—linking research, education, stewardship, and public service,” Monfort said.
California Secretary of Natural Resources Wade Crowfoot moderated a session focused on how UC Nature could help achieve state conservation goals. He highlighted community outreach efforts such as those at Steele/Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center: “As those UC students are getting educated, they’re also welcoming others from the region into that learning,” Crowfoot said. Conservation philanthropy leader Michael Mantell added: “I have often said that UC Nature is probably the most under-appreciated, undervalued asset that California has. It needs more attention in the public’s eye.” Theresa Maldonado, Vice President of Research for the University of California stated: “The reserve network is an outdoor shared facility…that covers virtually the entire biodiversity of the state of California…It provides an invaluable laboratory to do system science studies that really no other university system in the country has the capacity to do.”
Education remains central at UC Nature reserves according to assistant professor Roxanne Beltran from UC Santa Cruz who described how field experiences help retain young people in STEM fields: “It turns out that you can’t train environmental leaders without putting them in environments they’re meant to protect.” Graduate student Ishana Shukla reflected: “I have spent my entire career trying to chase that wonder…that I first felt in the Natural Reserve System.” Sam Sambado credited her experience with opening her eyes to field science saying: “That’s what UC Nature is really great at.”
Other highlights included presentations about paradigm-shifting science enabled by reserve sites such as Gary Bucciarelli’s description of California Sentinel Sites for Nature—the nation’s largest biodiversity monitoring network—and discussions about outreach programs serving underserved communities throughout California.
Former executive director Peggy Fiedler summarized why so many are committed to this work: “We come from all walks of life…We strive to understand…and steward magnificent landscapes…for its citizens,…students,…the global research community,…and those who seek magical biodiversity.”
