Sedgwick is an idyllic site for university-level class visits. Sedgwick docents can be scheduled to take your class out on a hike. The Reserve offers a diversity of landscapes that are suitable for demonstrating concepts in the sciences and humanities. Facilities and Reserve lands can be readily accessed by improved roads, modern classroom spaces (with wi-fi). There is no charge for day use visits that do not use classroom facilities. A full campground is the perfect spot for overnights.
Below are resources to help you learn more about Sedgwick Reserve as you plan your class visit.
- Sedgwick Reserve has a managed-use mandate which means that groups cannot go on a hike without Sedgwick staff or a docent guide. Please see here for more information about scheduling a docent-led hike.
- Examples of previous classes held at Sedgwick Reserve
- Information about facilities that can be reserved for course use
- Natural Resources of Sedgwick Reserve, including Flora and fauna
- Real-time and historical weather at Sedgwick Reserve
- Bibliography of research conducted at Sedgwick since the 1980s
- If you are unsure of whether your class is feasible and appropriate for a UCNRS site, review the NRS Use and Guidelines
- Please note that we do not provide content or activities. With 4 weeks advanced notice, you may request a docent-led hike for a fee in your visit request. Be sure to contact nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu to make arrangements.
- Our staff are knowledgeable about the reserve, its resources, and possible options for courses. Please reach out to us with your questions and class ideas at nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu. If you have never been to Sedgwick Reserve, schedule a site-visit to view the facilities and talk about options for your class.
The first step to using Sedgwick is to create an account in our Research Access Management System (RAMS). Be sure to record the user name and log-in password you used.
For new Projects, please email reserve staff to discuss nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu. Allow at least 10 business days (ideally more) for us to review your new Project.
Create a Project in RAMS and select University Class. Describe your class, choose your team, and provide permits
You will receive confirmation that your application has been approved via e-mail. If you are unsure, please check RAMS for the status of your application and reservation(s).
1. Details What information should I provide?
- Course title, name, and number.
- Indicate whether your activities involve any of the groups or activities listed.
2. Choose Your Team Members
- Include the person invoices should go to; either the PI of your lab, grant manager, or financial administrator. Invoices can be paid via credit card or intra/er campus transfer.
- Include anyone else you would like to be able to book visits under this project.
- Include everyone you plan to bring with you into the field.
- Search for the name of the person. If they are not in the system, choose Create a New User.
- You will need their name, email, phone number, emergency contact, institution name, and current address.
- This process is easier if your team member has an existing RAMS account.
3. Additional Approvals
- If your class will involve vertebrate animals, you will need approval of the UCSB Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). For more information visit UCSB Animal Subjects and read Using Wild Vertebrates in Research.
- If you class includes research on human subjects, you will need approval of the UCSB Human Subjects Committee (HSC) which serves as the Institutional Review Board (IRB).
- If your class involves drones, you will need to complete an application to fly drones at the Reserve. For questions on drones or the permitting process, reach out to Dr. Brandon Stark at uassafety@ucmerced.edu
- Installation of equipment will require a consultation and plan for installation, upkeep, and removal. Larger installations will require CEQA approval.
A Project submission is not a guaranteed approval of working at Sedgwick. During the project application process your class visit will be reviewed for suitability based on a number of factors including natural resources, permits, other research projects, infrastructure, environmental conditions, and staff resources if required. We will make every effort to work with applicants and welcome new classes.
Schedule a Visit
With over sixty five projects and dozens of classes running each year, coordination is essential to assure that researchers’ needs are met and conflicts with housing, equipment, vehicles and research sites are avoided. Your adherence to the online reservation process provides this essential research coordination.
Schedule a visit in RAMS every time you plan to to come to Sedgwick.
1. Purpose of Visit
- Purpose of the trip and activities planned, including whether you will be at the field station, on the Reserve, or taking field trips off site.
- Your anticipated need for housing and/or equipment.
- Number of students and co-instructors.
- Contact information for a primary instructor who will be on-site during the fieldtrip.
2. Select Amenities
- Learn about facilities, meeting spaces, and overnight housing that you can rent.
- If you are not staying overnight, select Day Use.
- Select the time and date of arrival and departure.
- Enter the times and date for each amenity needed.
- If you need staff assistance, please choose what type of assistance you need and number of hours.
- For docent-led tours, please indicate the number of participants in RAMS. Also contact nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu to discuss the length of the hike, the strenuousness, and transportation to and from the trailhead. We would like one month’s notice to find docents to lead the hike.
3. Visitors
- Every individual must be listed on the Visit reservation.
- Easily add team members listed on your Project to the visitors list.
- Add Individuals by name using the search query. If an individual is in the system, their emergency contact information should be available.
- Create a New Team Member.
- You will need their name, email, phone number, emergency contact, institution name, and current address.
- This process is easier if your team member has an existing RAMS account.
- Add Group. If you don’t have their names, you can add groups of similar users, such as undergraduates. *See Waivers step 5.
4. Reserve-Specific Questions
- Make sure to include your cell phone number so we can reach you onsite.
- Indicate whether you will be using a drone and if you have submitted a flight request https://uassafety.ucmerced.edu/form/temporary-uas-flight-request.
5. Waivers
- Click on Digital Waiver and sign the waiver for yourself.
- Send the link to the waiver to everyone in your group.
- You are responsible for making sure everyone in your group signs the waiver. No one is permitted at the reserve without a waiver signed within the past year.
Approvals in 3 business days
- Staff will review your reservation and notify you as to whether you have been approved. During the visit reservation process, staff are looking at accommodation availability, road and weather conditions, fire risk, personnel availability, and other activities on the reserve.
- Any classes visiting for an overnight must arrive M-Sat 8 AM – 5 PM to receive an orientation from a staff person. To coordinate an appointment email nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu.
- Part of our job is to help you conduct a successful class, so let us know how we can help. However, beyond basic administrative and field support, we would bill you for our time helping you get your project started. This would be discussed before billing.
Understanding Projects vs Visits in RAMS
New classes are submitted as a Project. Individual visits within a course are submitted as Visits linked to the project. Please allow 10 business days for review of a new project, and 3 business days for review of visits.
When to file a new project:
- Any time a new class is presented to the UCSB Sedgwick Reserve
- If a previously approved class is expanded, altered, significantly revised or extended beyond the period stated in the approved proposal.
- When multiple classes are proposed (separate applications must be filed for each course)
When to file a new request to visit:
- Any time you plan to visit Sedgwick Reserve as part of an approved class application
- You may submit your first visit request at the same time as your application
Hours of Operation
Sedgwick Reserve operates on limited staff. Staff are generally available Monday-Saturday 8 AM – 5 PM. Instructors needing assistance should schedule a time to meet with staff during these hours. Sundays and Holidays are closed to Reserve use.
Guidelines for University Course Visitors:
- Classes that are using the overnight facilities must arrive during business hours (M-Sa 8AM-5PM) to meet with a staff person for an orientation.
- Instructors are responsible for ensuring the safety and conduct of all students under their direction. Please review our code of conduct.
- The address is 3566 Brinkerhoff Ave, Santa Ynez, CA 93460.
- Drive slowly on Brinkerhoff (<35 mph) and very slowly past the reserve gates (<15 mph). The speed limit on the reserve is 15 mph maximum to avoid road kill.
- Bring the gate code (given to you once your reservation is approved) as there is no cell phone reception at the main gate! DO NOT share this code with others.
- Stop by Tipton (big blue roofed building) and sign in and sign out using the computer kiosk in the lobby.
- Please make sure everyone has signed a Waiver. If not, paper waivers are available at check in.
- If you have reserved overnight housing, you may park next to your building. If not, please park in the parking lot.
- Guests may not invite other guests. Only people listed on the approved Visit are allowed on property.
- Charge and carry a cell phone. If you are going to be going far into the Reserve, carry an emergency GPS device.
- Let reserve staff know if you plan to drive into the reserve beyond the field station.
- Carry a fire extinguisher during fire season (June-December) . Please bring your own or ask us to borrow one.
- Keep vehicles on established roadways and vehicle trails. Check with Reserve staff and the Sedgwick map about your intended route. Ensure you have the proper vehicle for the locations you plan to go.
- Leave gates as you find them (e.g., if closed and locked, close and lock it after passing). There may be cows on the Reserve, it is extremely important to protect research sites and grazer investment that you close the gates behind you.
- Let reserve staff know if you see anything broken or unusual out in the Reserve.
- At least one adult chaperone affiliated with the home institution must accompany undergraduate classes.
- Students are responsible for providing their own camping equipment (including sleeping bag), food, transportation and computers.
- Groups are expected to clean the used facilities before departing the reserve. Failure to leave a clean camp may result in a cleaning fee being sent to the home institution.
- Invoices will be emailed to the indicated person on the application after your visit. Let us know if you used different facilities than were on your RAMS reservation.
- Tag us in social media on Instagram and Facebook
- Share pictures with us that we can use for our written outreach materials. We’d love to feature your students in a post or article!