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.
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 Reserve
- 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 Reserve's Innovative Land Management
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Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve Overview
Visitors Welcome!
The Reserve is open from dawn to dusk every day with the exception of hunt days.
2021-2022 BCCER Year in Review & Highlights
Wondering what we have been up to? Check out our most recent highlights from this past year: