In 2013, a multifunctional biological field station was built on Stunt Ranch Reserve. Stunt’s field station consists of approximately 3,000 square feet of usable, indoor, conditioned space and is divided into two buildings: a classroom and workroom.
The classroom can accommodate 40-50 students at one time and is an ideal space for leading lectures and workshops. In the workroom, guests have access to lab benches, comfortable seating, and a kitchenette area.
Guests with approved RAMS applications are welcome to use the field station anytime during their visit. For details on what the reserve staff expects from field station guests, see the reserve rules and regulations. To use the field station or any of it amenities, you must submit a Project and Visit, via the Reserve Application Management System (RAMS), for approval by Stunt Ranch Reserve’s management.
Picnic Area
An outdoor seating area at the bottom of the reserve driveway is available to all reserve guests. This area includes 12 picnic tables that are shaded by a screen awning and can seat 50-60 people.
Access
Stunt’s field station is not open to the public, and nighttime visits are currently prohibited. To use the field station, a user must apply online via the UC UC Nature Reserve Management System (RAMS) to specify their reason for visiting and when they plan to visit. The reserve does not have a staff member onsite at all times, so visitors are provided with field station access codes once their application is approved. Visitors are responsible to leave the facility as they found it. If you see any unauthorized visitor(s) at the field station, please alert the reserve staff immediately.
Accessibility
The field station has two all-gender bathrooms, accessible parking, and an ADA ramp. A first aid kit and safety guides are available on site. There is also a private lactation space for those who may require it.
Parking
Stunt Ranch Reserve guests have the option of parking in either the main parking lot or the field station parking lot. Please consult with Stunt Ranch’s management so they may advise on which lot would be best for your visit.
Main Parking Lot: Located directly off Stunt Road, this parking lot marks the entrance to the reserve and the Lower Stunt High Trail. The lot is open to the public and can accommodate 8-10 vehicles. To reach the field station from this lot, visitors must walk about 0.4 miles down a steep driveway (approx. 18% slope).
Field Station Parking Lot: Located inside the reserve, this lot is directly outside the biological field station and is reserved for Stunt Ranch Reserve guests. The lot is designed to accommodate 3-4 vehicles, including a vehicle with a handicap permit. Vehicles than exceed 10 ft in height may not be able to use this lot. Please contact the manager with any questions.
Reserve Rule and Regulations
Please review the reserve rules and regulations before visiting. If one or more of these rules are broken, a guest will be asked to leave and may be prohibited from returning. If you see any of these rules being broken during your visit, please alert the reserve staff immediately.
General Rules
- The individual(s) that initiate a RAMS reservation is/are responsible for the behavior of their group.
- Keep noise and lighting to a minimum. Guests who plan to use any speakers or lights at the reserve must receive approval from reserve management in advance.
- When entering and exiting the reserve, vehicles must NOT exceed 5 MPH. Take extreme caution when driving to avoid animals often on or crossing the driveway.
- Visitors may ONLY park in designated areas. Aside from Stunt’s main and field station lot, visitors should not park elsewhere unless reserve staff approves. Fire Department Zones along the driveway must be kept clear AT ALL TIMES.
- SMOKING or FIRES of any kind are NOT allowed on reserve property.
- Pets (e.g., dogs, cats, and horses) CANNOT be in open areas around the reserve. The only exception is the Stunt High Trail, as the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy permits leashed dogs and horses to walk the trail. Pets should never be within 500 feet of the field station.
- Reserve users shall not in any way alter the property without written approval of staff through the RAMS portal.
- Firearms are not allowed on the reserve.
- Be vigilant of marked research plots. Do not enter any marked areas without permission.
- At the end of your visit, please verify the gate is closed and locked in the same fashion as when you arrived.
Additional Research Guidelines
- Onsite research should be initiated only after a written application has been approved through the RAMS online system and must be renewed annually.
- Tags or flagging must be coordinated with reserve management and removed after the project’s conclusion.
- The results of the studies are expected to be incorporated into the reserve database. Confidentiality of the data can be arranged. Written materials that result from work conducted at Stunt Ranch must acknowledge the UC UC Nature Santa Monica Mountains Reserve.