![]() An opportunity to consider the role of ecological research at the nature reserve opens new insights into understanding nature. This site is an actively managed research reserve where students will see the efforts to maintain ecological diversity and provide protection to this important area. We will see shorebirds, waterfowl, and evidence of mammals thriving among the native plants. While the reserve is close to densely human-populated areas, it represents an important wildlife resource. From the reserve, we will see the Santa Ynez Range of east-west coursing mountains just a few miles away that are the northern boundary of the catchment for the watershed that feeds into this reserve. The reserve is connected along the inland border with the new North Campus Open Space rewilding project that extends the main estuary further inland and provides a planned buffer for sea-level rise and storm surge while increasing the habitat for traditional wetlands and vernal pools. Further inland, the habitat changes rapidly with coastal adapted trees and shrubs and the animals and birds that frequent them. Habitats vary from the unique flora of the coastal strip to the estuaries and dunes. The reserve consists of the main estuary and a pond where migratory birds come and go throughout the year. ![]() Snowy plovers are so well camouflaged you can be nearly on top of them before seeing them! The plover conservation success story is an important point at this site. Since this is a “species of special concern,” students can observe but not enter the primary nesting area that is strictly protected. Plant and animal life from the ocean and the land are compared for their adaptation to their habitat.Īs guests of the UCSB reserve, we are invited to travel the trails and visit the beach area where the snowy plover nests forages on the beach. Weather patterns and the effects on the local habitat provide the possibility for discussions that focus on the interface between ocean and beach with the estuary at the edge. This allows for interpretation regarding erosion, sand movement, and sedimentation and the entire rock cycle. On the Arroyo Burro beach, the geology of the coastline is readily in view all the way to the to p of the Santa Ynez Ridge. Views out over the Pacific and the Arroyo Burro beach with shore birds and sea life are often in view. On the mesa of the park are stands of imported palms, eucalypts and exotic we eds along with more recently restored native plants where contrast among plants and habitats are explored. Native plantings in the riparian area are widely varied including many water loving plants including mulefat, juncus, arroyo willow and sycamore. Restoration on the Douglas Family Reserve provides the opportunity to introduce the concept of re – wilding of land previously used for agriculture and residences. Often used together, these two parklands in Santa Barbara allow exploration of highly varied eco – zones in a short time period.
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