Fort Ord Natural Reserve is centrally located in the Monterey Bay area and is a great place to take classes for field trips. Teaching opportunities include natural history, ecology, botany, biology, mammalogy, herpetology, and more. Research opportunities are great due to access, proximity to other sites, and support from UCSC reserves staff. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to undertake senior theses and other independent research projects on the reserve. Camping is also available for courses wishing to spend extended time on the reserve.
Fort Ord Natural Reserve staff are available to assist courses. Support includes natural history and ecology field lectures as well as general assistance in the field.
It is best to first contact Reserve Director Joe Miller at joemiller@ucsc.edu to inquire about your project and reserve use, and then follow the steps below to secure your visit.
All reserve users must complete an online application and obtain approval prior to visiting the reserve. Please take the time to follow these steps to ensure your application is successfully submitted. If you have any questions about this process, please contact Reserve staff.
Reserve use is managed through the steps detailed below on our reservation website at rams.ucnrs.org
- Indicate your project type (research, university-class, etc.)
- Describe what you plan to do, why you want to conduct this activity, and how you will accomplish it.
- List members of your team.
- Upload all required permits.
- The type of a visit must match the type of the project it belongs to.
- Enter details of your visit: dates, times, participants.
- Read and sign waivers and the NRS Code of Conduct.
Await approval
Your project is not approved until you recieve confirmation from reserve staff. Gate codes, access info, etc. will be sent with your approval.
Please feel free to send an email to staff before or during this process if you have questions or need assistance.
Code of Conduct
Please review our standards of conduct. Printable pdf: Code of Conduct
Expected Behavior:
- All participants, visitors, staff, students, faculty, and vendors are to be treated with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert UCSC NRS personnel if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
Unacceptable, Noncompliant Behavior:
- Harassment, intimidation and/or discrimination in any form.
- Physical and/or verbal abuse of any participants, visitors, staff, students, faculty, vendors, or other reserve guests.
- Verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, and/or national origin.
- Unwelcome and/or nonconsenting physical contact.
- Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in reserve public spaces.
- Threatening and/or stalking any participants, visitors, staff, students, faculty, vendors, or other reserve guests.
Reporting an Incident
UCSC NRS Staff are always available to help. Please note that we are obligated to report any incidents we’re made aware of. If you’d prefer privacy, a confidential advocate can assist you by helping to identify your best strategy and provide accompaniment if you choose to report
Emergencies: Call 911
Confidential Resources
CARE Advocate Office
(831)502-2273 (9am – 5pm, M-F on campus)
Email: care@ucsc.educare.ucsc.edu
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
(831)459-2628 (24 hour hotline)
Monarch Services
(888)900-4232 (24-hour hotline)
Reporting Options
UCSC Title IX Office
(831)459-2462
Access online reporting link at titleix.ucsc.edu
Monterey County Sheriff’s Department
(831)649-7911 Non-emergency
UCSC Police Department
(831)459-2231 x1
email: police@ucsc.edu
City of Marina Police Department
(831)884-1210 Non-emergency
Field Safety Planning
We encourage all reserve visitors to use a field safety plan as part of your trip to UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve. University of California offers guidance and forms related to this process, or your home institution may have a process set aside as well. A field safety plan serves as a tool to document your travel hazard assessment, communication plan, emergency procedures, and required training. Developing and using a field safety plan is part of the Cal/OSHA requirement of an effective Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (IIPP).
This plan should not only identify hazards but indicate how they will be addressed and mitigated. For any identified hazards indicate what steps will be taken to minimize the risk to participants.
Steps to prepare for field work:
- Complete a field safety plan.
- Complete appropriate training for your site and operations (heat illness, first aid,…).
- Obtain recommended immunizations for your destination (Mainly for international travel, allow 4-6 weeks prior to your trip).
- Hold a pre-trip meeting to review your field safety plan, travel logistics, pack list (including first aid kit), etc. and cover any remaining training needs.
- University of California affiliates: Register trips via UC Away for travel alerts, travel insurance documentation, and evacuation services when traveling out of state or abroad.
The following University of California Field Safety Plan has been partially pre-filled with information applicable to a trip to UCSC Fort Ord Natural Reserve. The form includes staff contact, medical services directions, and other site specific information. Please use this form and fill in your trip specific information. Print and review with all members of your group: UCSC FONR Field Safety Plan Form