City Nature Challenge results

A girl holding a phone with the iNaturalist app and NAT tickets

Paige, winner of the iNaturalist contest at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve during Wander the Wetlands

Plantago erecta (Dot-seed Plantain), observed for the first time on iNaturalist at Scripps Coastal Reserve during the CNC

Apsena pubescens, observed for the first time at Elliott Chaparral reserve during the CNC

Engaging the public in documenting biodiversity

Three UC San Diego Natural Reserves were open for events during the City Nature Challenge. This global competition to document biodiversity is an important way to both engage the public in appreciating nature and document the current state of biodiversity. A total of 32 observers documented 165 species on iNaturalist while participating in Friday weeding at Scripps Coastal Reserve, Wander the Wetlands at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve, and a guided hike at Elliott Chaparral Reserve.

Thank you to the San Diego Natural History Museum and San Diego Bird Alliance for partnering with UC San Diego Natural Reserve System to help document the impressive biodiversity at our reserves.

Spring Research Symposium

Natural Reserve System Research Symposium

The list of posters and lightning talks are now available for the first annual Natural Reserve System Research Symposium on Tuesday, May 20th from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station and Community Learning Center. Come meet the students and researchers who conduct research at the four UC San Diego Natural Reserves. Please RSVP by May 16th.

Upcoming events

A flyer linking to upcoming Art and Wellness event

A flyer showing a group of researchers in the marsh collecting a water sample

Sign up now for two great opportunities:

San Diego Bird Alliance and UC Natural Reserve System are joining local artists Allie Smith and Sarah Rose for a morning of environmental crafting at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve on Saturday, May 17th. Find more information and sign up here.
UC San Diego Biology Assistant Professor Dr. Noah Rose's lab is hosting regular community events to collect and examine mosquitos at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve. Find more information and sign up here.

Now hiring UC San Diego students

Are you a UC San Diego student with a work-study award?

Apply now for the next year of the Roy Little Fellowship, starting this summer. Students will assist with outreach, maintenance, and monitoring activities at all four Reserves. Find our listing on Handshake to apply.

Water monitoring at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve

Real-time Water Level and Temperature

Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve is now part of a network of monitoring sites along the California coastline set up to track coastal flooding by researchers from the Coastal Oceanography Group at UC Davis. Every two minutes, the latest measurements are displayed on an online dashboard. This allows communities to monitor and respond to coastal flooding.

Explore the data for Kendall-Frost Marsh or any of the other California sites within the monitoring network.

Meet our students

Makenna Adams, Environmental Systems intern

In addition to the students supported by the Roy Little Fellowship who have been profiled over the past several months, we provide internship opportunities for UC San Diego students.

Interview with Makenna Adams

What is your year and major? I am a fourth year majoring in Environmental Systems, focusing on Ecology, Behavior and Evolution.
What is your hometown? Saratoga, California
What led you to pursue Environmental Systems? Growing up in a small town at the foothills of the Santa Cruz mountains, I spent a lot of time outdoors doing things like looking for bugs, splashing in creeks, and running around Redwood forests. This gave me a deep admiration for the natural world, and studying environmental systems allows me to keep adventuring while working towards helping the planet.
Why did you want to work with the NRS? I really wanted to get hands-on field work experience and use outreach to get people excited about the UCSD reserves and all the amazing research that happens on them.
What is a fun fact about you? If I could live underwater I would. I love scuba diving and am currently working towards becoming a Scientific Diver at Scripps.
Main goal to achieve this year? Be able to identify all the birds by sound that we have at our reserve. I’m getting close!

iNaturalist Observation of the Month

Southern Pacific Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus ssp. helleri) at Scripps Coastal Reserve

Photo credit: Jo'lene Saldivar

Rattlesnake season

This young rattlesnake was spotted curled up on the side of the trail on a recent morning at Scripps Coastal Reserve. Make sure to always wear closed-toe shoes, watch where you step, and maintain a respectful distance from these important predators.

Post your own photos of native plants or animals on iNaturalist while visiting a NRS reserve (perhaps at one of the events below) for a chance to have your photo featured here next month. Check out all the observations collected at UC San Diego Reserves on iNaturalist.

Happenings at the Reserves

Find the latest on our Calendar of Events

Scripps 1st Saturday
Saturdays, 9 - 11 AM
There are docent-led tours every month at Scripps Coastal Reserve, 9400 La Jolla Farms Road. Learn about our photosynthetic friends & foes, underground bee nurseries, and why Black's Beach has such great surfing as you walk the half-mile trail with a guide. No pre-registration is required, but please see note below.

Weed Warriors
Fridays, 8 - 10 AM

Every Friday we tackle the invasive weeds at the Scripps Coastal Reserve, 9400 La Jolla Farms Road. Help the native plants take back their territory! No experience is necessary.

NOTE: Pre-registration is not required, but liability waivers are. Closed-toe shoes are also required. Dogs are not allowed due to the habitat protections in place. Be aware that there are no water or toilet facilities. If you have questions or plan to come with a group larger than 5, please email nrs@ucsd.edu at least two days in advance.

Wander the Wetlands

Second and fourth Saturday, 9 - 11 AM
Activities will alternate between guided bird outings, fish seining (counting) and work parties to improve the habitat of Kendall-Frost Marsh. Locations will vary between the dirt lot at the north end of Crown Point Park and the Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve Field Station, 2055 Pacific Beach Drive. This is a partnership project between UC San Diego Natural Reserve System and San Diego Bird Alliance. No pre-registration is required. Find more details here.

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