Managing Invasive Plants with Fire
With the help of Santa Barbara County Firefighters, CCBER conducted its sixth prescribed burn on Lagoon Island. Read on to learn about the research behind the burns.
Keeping Tabs on NCOS Birdlife
At NCOS, CCBER has been collaborating with local ornithologists to conduct systematic monthly surveys of birds on the project site. This month marks one year since the NCOS bird surveys began, and we've tallied up the numbers to see what the trends are so far. Read more here.
What are you curious about at NCOS?
California State Parks has recently awarded a grant to CCBER for the construction of a Visitor Plaza at NCOS, along with an interpretive garden, viewpoint overlooks with benches, and a variety of interpretive signs. We would like to invite you to review some of our draft interpretive signs, and more!
Introducing the CCBER Workshop Series
Are you interested in the diversity of manzanitas? Have you been wanting to sharpen your native bee identification skills? Read on to discover the diverse educational opportunities offered through our new workshop series.
Wild Encounters in Our Own Backyard: NCOS and Beyond
As the North Campus Open Space project progresses into its second year of restoration work, more and more wildlife is making use of the evolving habitat. For many restoration staff, students and volunteers who spend hours planting and weeding, seeing the wildlife use the habitat is a rewarding and inspiring experience. Read on about interesting wildlife encounters in and around NCOS!
The Value of NCOS for Student Researchers
There are currently 6 ongoing, student-driven research and monitoring projects on NCOS, investigating topics ranging from aquatic invertebrates and water quality, to the effects of soil amendments on soil quality and plant growth, and wildlife use of habitat features. Read on about these projects and the experiences of research interns.
Studying Ladybug Communities at Coastal Sites
For three quarters, the Lady Beetle Project has been documenting the effect of restoration work on the distribution, abundance, and diversity of ladybugs in select habitats around UCSB and Goleta. Read on about the work of the interns involved!
Controlling Invasives to Support Natives at NCOS
One of CCBER’s goals is to restore diverse native habitats and plant communities with locally sourced seeds, and give them a weed-free window to get established on the landscape. Read on about how invasive weeds are being managed at NCOS to give the native seedlings a hand at establishing.
Join the Team! Outreach Coordinator Position Available at CCBER
Ecology and Diversity of the Manzanitas
Earlier this month, CCBER Collections Manager Greg Wahlert presented to the California Native Plant Society about one of the chaparral's most iconic trees, the manzanita (genus Arctostaphylos). Read more about his research on their phylogeny and learn about identification!
