About
UC Merced manages two field stations as part of the UC Natural Reserve System, one in Yosemite National Park one in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park. The Yosemite Field Station includes six cabins with accommodations for up to 55, as well as office space, a dry lab, and meeting facilities. The SEKI Field Station has one small cabin and one research/meeting facility.
Mission
The mission of these field stations is to provide access to research and teaching in the National Parks and adjacent National Forests. "The mission of the Natural Reserve System is to contribute to the understanding and wise stewardship of the Earth and its natural systems by supporting university-level teaching, research, and public service at protected natural areas throughout California."
History
The Yosemite and Sequoia field stations were established in 2006, within a larger research partnership between UC Merced, Yosemite National Park, Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park and the U.S. Geological Survey. In 2009, the Yosemite Field Station was accepted into the UC Natural Reserve System as its 36th reserve.
A short video on the UC Natural Reserve System