Sedgwick Reserve

University of California, Santa Barbara

Meetings and Workshops

Research and community groups that fall within the scope of Sedgwick Reserve’s mission can use the Reserve to host meetings and workshops

Sedgwick Reserve has hosted meetings and workshops for research groups across the sciences and humanities and nonprofits such as the Santa Ynez Valley Natural Historical Society, the Environmental Defense Center, and the Santa Barbara Land Trust.

Below is information to help you decide if Sedgwick Reserve is right for your meeting or workshop:

  • The Tipton Meeting House is suitable for larger groups (up to 72), the Studio Classroom for medium groups (up to 20), and the Ranch House is suitable for small groups (up to 10). For a full list of facilities you can book go here.
  • Please note that all hiking requires a docent, with the exception of a 2-mile self-guided trail that we offer. Ask us about scheduling a docent to lead a private hike for your group, or for field guides for the self-guided trail.
  • Recreational driving is not permitted. If you have a field component as part of your event, please indicate in the application.
  • Availability-wise the summer is the best season to book your meeting or workshop. Spring and fall fill up quickly with research and class visits. Both of these take priority over meetings and workshops.
  • Visitors looking to use Sedgwick Reserve for meetings are responsible for all event setup and cleanup. Failure to clean the used facilities will result in a cleaning fee.
  • If you are unsure of whether your meeting is feasible and appropriate for a UCNRS site, review the NRS Use and Guidelines.
  • Please reach out to us with your questions at nrs-sedgwick@ucsb.edu. If you have never been to Sedgwick Reserve, schedule a site-visit to view the facilities and have a tech demo sometime Monday-Saturday 8AM-5PM.

The first step to using Sedgwick is to create an application in our Research Access Management System (RAMS).

During the application process your visit will be reviewed for suitability based on a number of factors including availability of facilities, staff resources if required, and suitability of request for the mission of the Natural Reserve System. We will make every effort to work with applicants and welcome new groups.

Be sure to record the user name and log-in password you used when submitting your original application. Allow at least 10 business days (ideally more) for us to review your application. We will reach out to you with questions or once a determination of accept/reject has been made.

RAMS

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).

What information should I provide in the application?

  • You will be asked to select the Application Type. Research groups should select meeting or conference. All other groups including nonprofits and community groups should select public service.
  • Event title
  • Event description
  • Event dates
  • Facilities requested
  • Number of participants anticipated
  • Contact information for a primary event organizer

Make a reservation for every visit

With over forty projects and dozens of classes running each year, coordination is essential to assure that everyone’s 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.

Research
  • Learn about facilities you can rent for your event.
  • Create a reservation in RAMS every time you plan to to come to Sedgwick.
  • Staff will review your reservation and notify you as to whether you have been approved. During the reservation process, staff are looking at accommodation availability, road and weather conditions, fire risk, personnel availability, and other activities on the reserve.
  • Any groups visiting for an overnight must arrive M-Sa 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 have a successful meeting, so let us know how we can help. However, beyond basic administrative and field support, we would bill you for our time . This would be discussed before billing.

Understanding Applications vs Reservations in RAMS

New classes are submitted as an application. Individual visits within a course are submitted as reservations linked to the application. Please allow 10 business days for review of a new application, and 3 business days for review of reservations.

When to file a new application:

  • Any time a new meeting or workshop is presented to the UCSB Sedgwick Reserve
  • If a previously approved event is expanded, altered, significantly revised or extended beyond the period stated in the approved proposal.
  • When multiple events are proposed (separate applications must be filed for each project)

When to file a new reservation:

  • Any time you plan to visit Sedgwick Reserve as part of an approved event application
  • You may submit your first reservation 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. Event organizers needing assistance should schedule a time to meet with staff during these hours. Sundays and Holidays are closed to Reserve use.

Guidelines for Reserve Visitors:

  • Groups that are using the overnight facilities must arrive during business hours (M-Sa 8AM-5PM) to meet with a staff person for an orientation.
  • Event organizers are responsible for ensuring the safety and conduct of all participants under their direction. Please review our code of conduct and share our rules with all participants.
  • 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) every time you visit, and sign in and sign out using the computer kiosk in the lobby.
  • Let reserve staff know if you plan to drive into the reserve beyond the field station. Recreational driving is not permitted.
  • Charge and carry a cell phone. If you are going far into the Reserve, borrow a Garmin emergency GPS device from the Tipton Lobby. Be sure to sign it out and in.
  • Anytime you are driving beyond the field station during fire season (June-December) carry a fire extinguisher. 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).
  • Let reserve staff know if you see anything broken or unusual out in the Reserve.
  • 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.

  • DO NOT visit without having made advanced reservation and receiving Reserve staff approval. Requests for personal or recreational visits to the Reserve will not be approved.
  • DO NOT drive off the roads or park in tall grass. You car’s catalytic converters can start a fire.
  • DO NOT smoke, bring dogs, collect, hunt, or ride mountain bikes, horses, or ATVs on the Reserve.
  • DO NOT disturb reserve residents, animals, or experiments.
  • 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 event in a post or article!