Home
General Information
Ecosystem
Watershed
Management
Donors
Research/Education
Public Use
Events/News
Photo Album


 

Research/Education Protocol

The mission of the CSU, Chico Ecological Reserve System is to contribute 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.

  1. GUIDELINES. Use of the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) will be allowed if the proposed activity and level of use, after careful review by the reserve manager (or other designated University Foundation official), are deemed to be consistent with the mission, use guidelines, and management plan of the reserve. Activities that will, or are likely to, irrevocably harm the natural values, ecosystem functions and native bio-diversity of the reserve, or preclude its possible future use for university-level research or instruction, will not be allowed. Use will be limited so that natural and cultural values are not adversely affected.
  2. PROCESS. The reserve manager has primary responsibility for approving proposed uses. In difficult cases, the reserve manager will consult with the BCCER Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) before approving or rejecting an application. If a user fails to comply with any of the requirements, the reserve manager, after proper consultation, could restrict or terminate on-going reserve use, and the user's subsequent use applications may be rejected. Appeal of use rejection or termination will be by way of dispute resolution by an informed, ad hoc board consisting of faculty members with appropriate areas of expertise.
 

John Rowden and Mark Lynch set up a drift fence to guide terrestrial vertebrates into pitfall and funnel traps as part of their master's research.

 
  1. NATURAL HAZARDS. Anyone planning to use the reserve should be aware of the natural hazards that exist in this remote, rugged environment: Due to the limited number and exits of roads, becoming trapped by a rapidly advancing wildfire is a serious possibility. Other natural hazards include high, cold winter and spring flows of Big Chico Creek, sheer cliffs and the falling rocks or landslides they generate. In hot weather, sun stroke, heat exhaustion and dehydration are significant hazards. Poison oak, wildlife (bear, mountain lion, rattlesnake), wasps, lyme disease (tick transmitted) and plague (flea transmitted) are among additional hazards.
  2. 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.
  3. RESEARCH USE. All researchers using the reserve must be qualified to conduct the research proposed. Research in any subject area may be allowed if the researcher can demonstrate that the resources and/or facilities available at the reserve are reasonably necessary for the proposed research project and that the research activities will not compromise the goals of the BCCER.
    5.1. Research Application. All researchers should discuss their proposed research project with the reserve manager before formally applying for permission to conduct their studies. All researchers must complete a written application and agree to comply with all reserve regulations. The applicant must describe the purpose of the research and procedures to be followed, specify the proposed project duration, dates of reserve use, contract and grant information, prospective research site(s), and animal and plant populations that may be affected by the proposed research. Any potential disturbances to the reserve's ecosystem or cultural resources must be clearly described along with plans for avoidance or mitigation.
    5.2. Evaluation. The reserve manager will use the following to evaluate each application for research use:
    (a) Impacts on Natural Systems. Potential positive and negative impacts on natural systems (e.g., significant new research, extensive collections, significant habitat alterations, introductions of species or genes);
    (b) Impacts on Present or Long-term Use. Potential positive and negative impacts on present or future long-term use of reserve for research or instructional purposes;
    (c) Laws and Policies. Compliance with applicable state and federal laws, and with established research guidelines of the reserve;
    (d) Feasibility. Feasibility and scientific merit of proposed project;
    (e) Researcher's Credentials;
    (f) Funding. Certification of grant approval by the applicant's funding source;
    (g) Alternative Sites. Availability and proximity of alternative sites;
    (h) Safety. Ability of researcher to conduct research in a safe manner.
    5.3. Decision. The reserve manager will inform the applicant that his/her request has been approved, denied, or approved with conditions. If an application is approved, the researcher must comply with all applicable University and reserve regulations, and provide all required state and federal permits. The reserve manager and potential users will discuss appropriate restrictions on research projects involving experimental manipulations.
    5.4. Data. All researchers are required to provide copies of mature data sets derived from work on the reserve, which will be archived at the reserve. Data sets should include procedures followed and site descriptions sufficient to permit future replication by independent investigators.
    5.5. Publications and Reports. All researchers must identify the California State University, Chico Research Foundation Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve in any publications or reports that result from use of the reserve. Two copies of each publication resulting from work done at the reserve shall be provided to the reserve as soon as they become available. One bound copy of each thesis shall be provided to the reserve. Researchers are encouraged to also provide a digital copy of publications to the reserve.
  4. INSTRUCTIONAL USE. Classes in any subject may be allowed on-site if the instructor can adequately demonstrate that unique resources at the reserve are reasonably necessary for the class.
    6.1. Class Use Application. All instructors should discuss each proposed class visit with the reserve manager or field director. All instructors must agree to comply with all reserve regulations. Any potential disturbances to the reserve's ecosystem or cultural resources must be clearly described. If applicable, the instructor must provide an approved animal care and use protocol and all required state and federal permits.
    6.2. Evaluation. The reserve manager will use the following to evaluate each application for instructional use:
    (a) Impacts on Natural Systems. Potential positive and negative impacts on natural systems (e.g., significant new research, extensive collections, significant habitat alterations, introductions of species or genes);
    (b) Impacts on Present or Long-term Use. Potential positive and negative impacts on present or future long-term use of reserve for research or instructional purposes;
    (c) Alternative Sites. Availability and proximity of alternative sites.
    6.3. Decision. The reserve manager will inform the applicant that his/her request has been approved, denied, or approved with conditions. If an application is approved, the instructor must comply with all applicable University and reserve regulations and provide all required state and federal permits.
    6.4. Data. All instructors are strongly encouraged to provide copies of data sets derived from class investigations on the reserve, which will be archived at the Reserve. Data sets should include procedures followed and site descriptions sufficient to permit future replication by classes or individuals.
  5. MANIPULATION OF POPULATIONS OR HABITATS. Any modification or manipulation of wildlife habitats or of wildlife populations is forbidden without the permission of the BCCER manager.
    Observations, tagging and tissue removal from organisms are generally allowed as part of organized research. A plan should be developed to coordinate the tagging of organisms and prevent flagging from becoming widely distributed. All equipment, including flags and markers must be removed upon project completion. Permission for removal of organisms and the use of fire, herbicides and pesticides will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
    7.1. Collection:
    a. Invertebrates: The collection of invertebrates from aquatic and/or terrestrial habitats at the BCCER is considered an acceptable activity, but only with the permission of the BCCER Director and the possession of appropriate collection permits.
    b. Tetrapod Vertebrates: The consumptive collection (for research purposes only) of live or dead (salvage) tetrapod vertebrates (i.e. amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds), as well as non-consumptive activities such as live trapping, mist netting, banding, etc. are acceptable on the BCCER property only with the permission of the Director and the possession of appropriate collection and/or salvage permits.
    c. Fish: The consumptive collection of fish from Big Chico Creek, fish salvage (collection of dead fish), as well as other non-consumptive activities such as live trapping, seining, and electrofishing are acceptable only with the permission of the Director and the possession of appropriate collection and/or salvage permits.
    d. Cultural Resources: Cultural resources, which include historical and prehistoric archaeological sites, features, and objects, may not be collected or disturbed on BCCER property without the appropriate permits and compliance with the BCCER Cultural Resources Management Plan. Artifacts lying on the ground surface may be picked up for demonstration purposes but must be returned to their original site.
    e. Geologic and Paleontologic Materials: The collection of in situ fossils and other geologic materials at the BCCER by approved researchers and for class projects is considered an acceptable activity, but only with an approved research application. Geologic materials lying on the ground surface may be picked up for demonstration purposes but must be returned to their original site.
    7.2. Vehicles
    Vehicles may be used on reserve property only as designated by the reserve manager and may be used only on designated access roads and parked in designated areas. The driving of vehicles of any type off-road on the BCCER is forbidden.
    7.3. Open Fires
    Fires at the BCCER are prohibited.
    7.4. Alcohol and Illicit Drugs
    Alcohol use is not permitted on the BCCER except as served at meals or official functions at the Henning house.
    The use of illicit drugs on the BCCER is prohibited.
    7.5. Firearms
    Except for persons participating in authorized hunts, firearms are prohibited on the BCCER without written permission from the reserve manager.
  6. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
  7. Because of the remoteness of the BCCER, visitors should carry first aid kits and exercise caution in undertaking any potentially hazardous activities.
    For response in medical emergencies, one or more persons in each visiting group should have training in basic first aid and CPR.
    If the problem is serious, emergency help 9-1-1 is to be contacted immediately. Warning: Cell phones will not work in most parts of the canyon.

 

CSU, Chico | College of Natural Sciences | Admissions | Bookstore | Library | Catalog | Class Schedule | Distance Education | Portal Login