The Sedgwick Reserve has been our volunteer mission this year. We help in the nursery, collect seeds and lead tours. This summer we are also helping with a high school group that will visit combining language education with outdoor adventure.
The reserve has research as its primary function. Education for school children and the public is next along with providing agriculture in the form of an organic farm and seasonal grazing. UC faculty have research projects going on soils, geology of the area, oaks, grasses, grazing impact, invasive species and later this year a new observatory will be installed as part of a world-wide astronomy project.
I like most the stimulating training from faculty and naturalists along with the other volunteers who are so excited about nature and the opportunity to share what they are learning with others. I think this is the group of kids I should have been with in high school. Now they are just a little older and much, much more knowledgeable!
Its fairly common to sit in lecture for 2 hours, then go out to see the subject on the reserve for a couple more. After lunch we might go down to the creek to see what tracks got left over night or what started blooming up on the mesa like chocolate lilies! Lately we have been collecting seeds for renovation projects to take the place of invasive species.
With miles of hiking trails, the 6000 acres of sweeping land from low valley up the mountain sides this location has much to offer. There is even rumor of a black panther that might have escaped from M. Jackson's ranch on the other side of the ridge. There are public hikes and paint ins along with bird watching opportunities for those not officially part of Sedgwick.
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