Stunt Ranch welcomes research and community groups aligned with our mission to utilize the reserve for hosting outreach events and workshops.
Planning an Event at Stunt Ranch Reserve
- Only university groups and local community groups may apply to use the reserve for events and workshops. The reserve may occasionally be available for purposes other than research or education activities (e.g., reasonably passive activities such as nature film production, non-educational conferences), but only if there is a clear benefit to the research and teaching mission of the reserve, and if such use will not conflict with other uses of the reserve.
- Our field station classroom can support approximately 40-50 individuals at one time. The event, including number of potential visitors, must first be approved by reserve management prior to your event.
- While we are happy to advise, staff is not available to host your event. All hiking tours on surrounding trails must be led by a member of your group.
- Parking is available but, is limited. See our field station page for more information on Stunt’s parking system.
- Visits are based on a first-come, first-serve basis. Concurrent Visits are generally discouraged and must be approved by our staff.
- Visitors are responsible for all setup and cleanup. Failure to clean the used facilities will result in a cleaning fee.
- If you are unsure of whether your meeting is feasible and appropriate for a UCUC Nature site, review the UC Nature Use and Guidelines, or contact our staff.
- Please reach out to reserve management with any questions and/or to plan a visit to scout the location.
Understanding Projects vs Visits in RAMS
Events/Workshops are submitted as an Project. Individual visits within a workshop or multiple-visit event are submitted as Visits linked to the application. Please allow at least 3 business days for review of Visits.
When to file a new Project
- Any time a new meeting or workshop is proposed at Stunt Ranch Reserve.
- If a previously approved event is expanded, altered, significantly revised or extended beyond the period stated in the approved proposal.
- When multiple events are proposed (separate Projects must be filed for each).
When to file a new Visit
- Any time you plan to visit Stunt Ranch Reserve as part of an approved event Project. This includes visits to prepare for your event.
- You may submit your first Visit at the same time as your Project.
Submitting a Project
The first step to using Stunt Ranch is to create a Project in our Research Access Management System (RAMS).
– During the Project process your visit will be reviewed for suitability based on a number of factors including availability of facilities, staff resources (if required), and suitability of request for the mission of the Natural Reserve System. We will make every effort to work with applicants and welcome new groups and activities.
– Be sure to record the username and log-in password you used when submitting your original Project. If reserve staff have any questions or concerns about your Project, they will reach out to you via e-mail.
What information should I provide in the Project?
- You will be asked to select the Project Type. Workshops should select “meeting or conference”. All other groups including outreach events and community groups should select “Public Use.”
- Event title
- Event description
- Event dates
- Number of participants anticipated
- Contact information for a primary event organizer
Submitting a Visit
Make a Visit for every time you come to the reserve. Coordination is essential for our reserve as it assures that researchers’ user needs are met, and conflicting uses are avoided. Your adherence to the online Visit process provides this essential research coordination.
Visit Protocol
- Create a Visit in RAMS every time you plan to come to Stunt Ranch.
- Staff will review your reservation and notify you as to whether you have been approved. During the Visit review process, staff are looking at availability, road and weather conditions, fire risk, personnel availability, and other activities on the reserve.
- Part of our job is to help you conduct a successful event, so let us know how we can help. However, beyond basic administrative and field support, we may need to bill for our time. This would be discussed before billing.
Visiting Stunt Ranch Reserve
Hours of Operation
Stunt Ranch Reserve staff is available Monday-Friday from 8am-5pm. Staff are not generally available on University Holidays. Users may submit a reservation for 5am- 10pm weekdays and weekends (how early/late you are permitted to visit is up to the discretion of reserve management). While we are working on making camping an option, at this time we cannot allow users to stay overnight at the reserve. The reserve operates with limited staff, thus, unless requested ahead of time, a staff member may not be on-site during your visit.
Liability Wavier(s)
Each UC UC Nature site require non-UC affiliates and unsupervised UC students (by faculty/instructor) to sign a liability wavier before stepping onto private portions of the property. Once your Visit is approved, reserve staff will contact you and provide you with the liability waiver(s) for you (and your guests) to sign and return. Waivers are also available in Resources. Guests under the age of 18 are required to have a parent/guardian signature.
Guidelines for University Course Visitors
- Once your Visit is approved, you will be provided with codes to access the reserve and the main gate.
- Event organizers are responsible for ensuring the safety and conduct of all participants under their direction. Please review our code of conduct and share our rules with all participants.
- Charge and carry a cell phone. While cell phone reception can be spotty, Wi-Fi is available at the field station and should allow you to make a call.
- Review Stunt’s Emergency Instructions before your visit.
- Keep vehicles on established roadways. Ensure you have the proper vehicle for the locations you plan to go to. Large vehicles (e.g. trucks, buses, etc.) must be approved by management before driving down the driveway as these vehicles may be at risk of clipping overhanging oak tree branches.
- Leave gates as you find them (e.g., if closed and locked, close and lock it after passing).
- Let reserve staff know if you see anything broken or unusual at the Reserve.
- DO NOT visit without having submitted a Visit on RAMS and received reserve staff approval. Requests for personal or largely recreational visits to the reserve will not be approved.
- DO NOT drive off the roads or park in tall grass. Your car’s catalytic converters can start a fire.
- DO NOT smoke, bring dogs, collect, hunt, or ride mountain bikes, horses, or ATVs on the reserve.
- DO NOT disturb reserve residents, animals, or experiments.