Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve

Where Education Meets the Land

The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve (BCCER) is located on the ancestral land of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe. The BCCER is under the direction of Chico State Enterprises. The mission of the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve is to preserve and steward critical habitat and to provide a natural area for environmental research and education.

BCCER Closed Due to Park Fire

The BCCER is currently closed to all visitors due to the 2024 Park Fire. The fire caused varying degrees of damage to the reserve’s 7,835 acres of land, destroyed the reserve’s headquarters and most other structures, and deeply impacted the flora and fauna.

While the University is still assessing how programming will be adapted in the wake of the fire, there are immediate, critical needs to minimize further harm to the wildlife, landscape, and watershed, and to ensure continuity of operations. You can support this work with a gift to the BCCER Emergency Fund.

Donate to BCCER Recovery(opens in new window)




7,835 Acres of Diverse Habitats

With the donation of land in early 2021, the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve now contains 7,835 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. The BCCER was created with the purchase of the Simmons Ranch in 1999 and the Henning Ranch in 2001. It is owned by Chico State Enterprises.




Goals of the BCCER

  • Support the educational mission of CSU, Chico by providing a site with natural resources to support research and teaching
  • Develop, upgrade, and maintain databases to support research and instruction
  • Protect and monitor on-site natural resources
  • Provide public outreach and education

Support the BCCER's Innovative Land Management

Adopt an Acre(opens in new window)

Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Overview

Visitors Welcome!

Come explore! The BCCER is open to hiking from dawn to dusk every day with the exception of scheduled hunt dates(opens in new window).

Hiking trail sign

Visit the BCCER

2022-2023 BCCER Year in Review & Highlights

Wondering what we have been up to? Check out our most recent highlights from this past year:

 2022-2023 Annual Report (PDF)      BCCER Fire by the Numbers (PDF)

      22-23 Annual Report Cover                  BCCER by the Numbers


The BCCER in the News