Research & Education

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is an invaluable resource for environmental research and education. We encourage reserve use for field trips by classes and organizations and a wide variety of research activities.

In the BCCER you will find many different habitats and species, as well as geological features and records of human activity. It contains historical sites and features indicative of exploration, mining, logging, homesteading, and ranching, as well as prehistoric sites and features showing ancient and historic Native American habitation and other land uses.

We invite field trips and research in order to use reserve resources to maximize environmental knowledge and appreciation. We believe, however, that a very important lesson to be learned in association with the reserve is how to conduct educational and research activities in ways that maximize learning while minimizing environmental damage. For the sake of future research and interpretation it is essential to preserve these habitats, maintain the physical integrity and sociological sensitivity of historical and archeological sites, and protect the reserve from undue encroachment or damage by human activities.

In other words reserve use is encouraged unless it is likely to compromise resource sustainability.

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.

Field Trip or Research Assistance. If you are planning a field trip or need research assistance, contact bccer@csuchico.edu.

More topics:
Reports
General References
Research Protocol
Application to Conduct Research