Sedgwick Reserve Infrastructure Development

该奖项为塞奇威克保护区的基本物理基础设施的改善提供部分支持，塞奇威克保护区是加州大学自然保护区系统（NRS）中最大的保护区之一。 这些改进将扩大保留地进行研究和教育的能力，并允许扩大研究人员和学生的过夜住宿。该保护区位于圣巴巴拉西北部的圣拉斐尔山脉，可供任何高等院校、学校或科学组织的研究人员、教师和学生用作研究场地和户外教室。 目前的研究包括调节橡树再生的因素，在加州生态系统中的本地多年生和入侵的一年生草之间的相互作用的研究，以及微生物群落多样性，组成和功能之间的联系的调查。现有的设施包括旧牧场建筑。没有现代化的实验室设施，过夜游客的设施非常有限。大学和保护区的工作人员，与教师，研究人员，学生和当地社区的帮助下，最近完成了全面的总体规划升级保护区的核心设施，以支持世界一流的环境研究，大学水平的教学，和K-12环境教育。 计划中的设施改善取决于通过该奖项支持的道路和其他基本基础设施的改善。 通过在塞奇威克保护区等地的研究和教育获得的基本知识对保护和明智管理自然生态系统至关重要。公众对环境问题的认识和了解也是成功的环境养护和管理的关键。 这两个重要的目的都将通过该奖项实现。

This award provides partial support for improvements in the basic physical infrastructure of the Sedgwick Reserve, one of the largest reserves in the University of California's Natural Reserve System (NRS). These improvements will expand the capacity of the Reserve for the conduct of research and education, and permit the expansion of overnight housing of researchers and students. Located in the San Rafael Mountains northwest of Santa Barbara, the Reserve is available to researchers, teachers and students from any institution of higher learning, school or scientific organization for use as a research site and outdoor classroom. Current research include studies of factors regulating oak regeneration, interactions among native perennial and invasive annual grasses in California ecosystems, and investigations of the linkage among microbial community diversity, composition, and function. Existing facilities consist of old ranch buildings. No modern laboratory facilities are available, and there are very limited facilities for overnight visitors. The University and Reserve staff, with the help of faculty, researchers, students, and the local community, have recently completed a comprehensive master plan for upgrading the Reserve's core facilities in order to support world-class environmental research, university-level instruction, and K-12 environmental education. The planned improvements in facilities are dependent on the improvements in roads and other basic infrastructure that are supported through this award. Basic knowledge gained through research and education at sites like Sedgwick Reserve is critical to the preservation and wise management of natural ecosystems. Public awareness and understanding of environmental issues are also essential for successful environmental conservation and management. Both these important purposes will be enabled by the award.