BCCER
3521 14 Mile House Road
Forest Ranch, CA 95942
530-898-5010
530-898-5011

Mailing Address
BCCER/Chico State Enterprises
25 Main St. Suite 103
Chico, CA 95928-5388

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