Introducing New Reserves Manager Clarissa Rodriguez

New UC San Diego NRS Reserves Manager Clarissa Rodriguez

New Reserves Manager brings background in plant biology to the Natural Reserve System

Clarissa Rodriguez joined the UC San Diego Natural Reserve System as Reserves Manager on January 27th. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology from Cal Poly Pomona and a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UC Riverside, where she studied the impacts of invasive species on California’s native plants. Afterward, Clarissa moved to San Diego for a postdoc at San Diego State University, where she joined the Collaborative of Native Nations for Climate Transformation and Stewardship (CNNCTS) network to advance indigenous-led land stewardship for climate adaptation.

Clarissa is passionate about connecting with the community, loves getting people excited and connected to California’s rich biodiversity, and looks forward to working across the variety of ecosystems represented by the four UC San Diego reserves: Dawson Los Monos Canyon Reserve, Elliott Chaparral Reserve, Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve, and Scripps Coastal Reserve.

Love Your Wetlands Day 2025

People walk adjacent to the marsh with buckets for trash

Join us this Saturday at Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Love Your Wetlands Day, happening February 1st, 2025. Check out dozens of community organizations, learn about salt marsh ecology from local scientists, pick up trash in the marsh to show your support for wetlands, participate in community art, and tour the new field station from 9 am - 2 pm. Pre-registration closes Jan. 30 at 11:30 pm. All other attendees will have to register at the entrance. Plan your day using the full schedule on our website.

iNaturalist Observation of the Month

A California Moray eel in the Dike rock tidepools at the Scripps Coastal Reserve. Photo credit: Zoie Andre (zoie-andre)

Tide pool wonders

Students in UC San Diego's Coastal Ecology class in Environmental Studies collect iNaturalist observations each week as they explore San Diego's diverse ecosystems. The Dike rock tidepools provide a perfect setting to study the organisms of the rocky intertidal only a short walk away from campus.

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

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. Waivers are valid for the academic year, ending each June 30. 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.

Make a Charitable Gift to the Natural Reserve System

Help support teaching, research, and public service

Donate here to help us develop education and outreach initiatives, maintain ecological integrity and facilitate research at each of our San Diego sites: Dawson Los Monos Canyon Reserve, Elliott Chaparral Reserve, Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve and Scripps Coastal Reserve

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