Research
The Blue Oak Ranch Reserve is used primarily as a scientific research site to conduct various investigations across the Earth and Life Sciences, Engineering, and Computer Sciences, as well as graduate student studies in the arts and humanities. In any given year, 20 projects may run concurrently, with individual researchers spending an average of 10 days a year conducting their field studies. While most projects originate from UC campuses, projects from the CSU system, private Universities in California, and out-of-state and international institutions are common. BORR scientists publish about ten journal articles annually based on research in this landscape. For a listing of current and past research projects and investigators, check out the Research section of this website.
Education
The Blue Oak Ranch Reserve hosts many university-level class visits each year, focusing on biology, physical science, environmental management, social science/art, and education. The field station provides modern classroom space and facilities for weekend or long-stay field courses, including the UC Nature California Ecology and Conservation class with six week-long visits per year and the UC Davis Archeology Field School that spent a month here in 2023 and 2024. K-12 groups use BORR, such as the Urban Tilth summer intern camping trip. Reach out to us for opportunities to get students out into nature. Our staff is always excited to talk to classes about current research and the natural history of the reserve and to lead nature walks. Explore our Facilities and Education sections to plan a field trip or field courses for your group or Institution.
Public Service
The Blue Oak Ranch Reserve brings communities together by providing space for people to interact with nature and one another. Nonprofit community organizations are encouraged to contact us with how the reserve and facilities will support their work. BORR strives to provide a space for underserved youth and communities to engage with nature. BORR also supports leadership training events for staff who work with our local communities.
Stewardship
Reserve staff are committed to protecting our 3,280 acres of natural resources and cultural heritage. Annual work plans are designed to safeguard the Reserve from wildfire, invasion by non-native species, erosion, abandoned infrastructure, and other threats to its viability. Newly completed projects, including water systems for potable drinking water and fire suppression, solar photovoltaic power, and solar hot water heating, reduce our ecological footprint.