Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserves

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserves is under the direction of the Institute for Sustainable Development. Our mission is to work together with the CSU Research Foundation's Ecological Reserve System to preserve critical habitat and to provide a natural area for environmental research and education.

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve contains 3,950 acres of diverse canyon and ridge habitats, including 4.5 miles of Big Chico Creek, and is home to many species of plants and animals. BCCER was created with the purchase of the Simmons Ranch in 1999 and the Henning Ranch in 2001. It is owned and managed by the California State University, Chico, Research Foundation.

The Reserve ranges in elevation from 700 feet to 2,044 feet and contains a wide variety of habitats, including creek riffles and pools, riparian areas, oak woodlands, chaparral, pine forest, rock cliffs, and springs. These diverse habitats support more than 140 different wildlife species, including a number of listed species and species requiring large tracts of undisturbed habitat. BCCER contributes to the understanding and wise management of the Earth and its natural systems by preserving critical habitat, and providing a natural area for environmental research and education.

GOALS OF THE RESERVE:
· Protect and monitor on-site natural resources.
· Provide a site with natural resources to support research and teaching in the Chico area.
· Develop, upgrade, and maintain databases to support research and instruction.
· Provide public outreach and education to the extent possible.

See us on YouTube