San Vicente Redwoods: A Learning Laboratory in the Santa Cruz Mountains

In the Santa Cruz Mountains near Davenport, an expansive, protected forest landscape stands. Known as San Vicente Redwoods (SVR), this bustling, 8,852-acre landscape is managed by POST, Sempervirens Fund, Save the Redwoods League, and the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County. It provides refuge for local plants and animals. And, a portion of the property offers recreational trails for all who visit. But it’s not just bikers, hikers and critters who make up the lively environment. On any given day, researchers and students work side-by-side, collecting data and studying conservation science right on the land.

A LIVING LABORATORY

SVR is a one-of-a-kind learning environment. Throughout the years, we’ve gleaned substantial knowledge about forest ecosystems and management here. And we’ve been offering students hands-on opportunities as well. Unlike conventional research settings, here students immerse themselves in a vibrant, outdoor laboratory, brimming with diverse natural life. Shaped by a history of clearcut logging and the recent CZU Lightning Complex fire, the landscape is a dynamic and evolving backdrop for this work.

As land managers, the forest’s ever-changing conditions keep us on our toes. We rely on research to guide new approaches, continuously seeking to improve and adapt. Helping to equip the next generation of scientists with on-the-ground experience is the icing on the cake.

WOODRAT MONITORING

For over a decade, the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) has collaborated with POST and other regional groups to use the Santa Cruz Mountains as a research reserve. This initiative deploys student researchers to inventory wildlife, manage streams and wetlands, monitor invasive species, and study the impacts of wildfire and recreation on local ecosystems.

At SVR, students are hard at work monitoring woodrats. These small nocturnal rodents are vital. Owls, hawks, and bobcats rely on them as prey. By dispersing seeds and spores, woodrats add to plant diversity, helping to regenerate the forest. Moreover, their foraging and nesting activities aid in nutrient cycling that enhances soil health.

Years ago, students meticulously mapped all the woodrat nests in the portion of SVR that would later open to the public. These nests — known as middens — resemble large piles of sticks and plant material. Beneath this protective outer layer are intricate inner chambers and tunnels. These sturdy dwellings can host successive generations of woodrats over decades.

The students studied how recreation would impact these skilled nest-builders. Ideally, the trails and presence of hikers would not disrupt them. But after the devastating 2020 CZU fire, none of the middens remained. Rather than abandoning their project, students shifted focus and began asking new questions. Their initial data set shows woodrats nest distribution before the fire. Today, students are monitoring the same area to see how quickly the woodrats rebound and rebuild their dwellings and where.

SHADED FUEL BREAK TREATMENTS

With funding from CALFIRE and the Coastal Conservancy, we are maintaining a shaded fuel break along Warrenella Road, which runs through the property. Clearing smaller trees and excess brush leaves fewer “ladder fuels” for flames to climb into the tree canopy.

Filmed on the ground in San Vicente Redwoods, this video features POST Senior Stewardship Project Manager Susie Petrie as she breaks down the basics of shaded fuel breaks. Learn more about how they can prevent out-of-control wildfires while helping us reach our conservation goals.

The benefits of shaded fuel breaks for forest resiliency are well-established. But how does the aftermath of creating one impact a forest’s wildlife, plants, sunlight, water, air, minerals, and soil? Students and professors at the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State University (SJSU) set out to learn more.

To start, they applied three typical methods used by foresters to dispose of the resulting wood and brush — creating wood chips, trimming branches and scattering them, and pile burning. The goal: to determine how effective the different treatment methods are and how they affect the forest ecosystem.

This shaded fuel break project has allowed students in various fields to participate in hands-on learning. This interdisciplinary approach enriches the insights we gain together.

Collecting Data with Drones

Guided by an experienced professor, students are learning to use drones to capture high-   resolution imagery. Then they use the data to compare how the different treatment areas rebound and determine when areas need additional care. This method allows us to cover more ground and gain significant insight.

Finding Fungi for Fuel Reduction

In addition, a UCSC mycologist and her students track the mushrooms that grow in different treatment areas. They’re studying which species break down branches, logs, and wood chips the fastest. Later, we may use their findings to help reduce fuel in the forest.

Surveying Vegetation for a Healthier Forest

Similarly, an SJSU botanist is training students to learn how each treatment method impacts plant diversity. Creating wood chips is the most time-saving and cost-effective option, but it leaves thick carpets on the forest floor. The weighty wood chips can sometimes smother the rare plants beneath. However, more vegetation-friendly treatments require extra time and money. This research offers scientific validation that the added resources are worth the extra  expense.

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Our collaborative research initiatives provide deep, actionable insights into our work. So far, they’ve given several hundred students an invaluable chance to engage in hands-on learning with mentors and peers! Together, we’re advancing our shared understanding of wildlife preservation and ecological conservation. We’re confident these students will go on to better our world, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!