The Program
With its pristine marine ecosystem, clear streams, wild canyons, and relative absence of human impacts, the Big Creek Reserve remains an area of rare, unspoiled grandeur in an otherwise rapidly developing California coastline. In Big Creek’s tapestry of environments, researchers are beginning to search for answers to key ecological questions. How do animal and plant communities in pristine wildlands develop and change over time? How do protected Big Sur populations compare to those found outside reserve boundaries? How can long term field research help us better manage Big Sur’s irreplaceable natural resources?
Through participation in hands-on research projects we will learn important sampling protocol and be part of exciting new efforts to address these pressing environmental questions. Field study projects will be selected from research priorities that may include firsthand assessments of sea otter and seal population distributions, ecological mapping and surveys of key stream and intertidal habitats, and on-site studies of Big Creek’s biologically diverse animal and plant communities. These important projects provide unique opportunities to gain an enriched understanding of Big Sur ecology, provide hands on experience in conducting ecological research and better manage Big Sur’s natural resources into the future.
Program Details
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
Dates: Summer 2025: July 23—August 6, 2025
Applications: Accepted on a rolling admission basis
Accommodations: Primarily camping
Credits: 5 quarter credits or 3.35 semester credits
Language: English instruction
Courses: Environmental Wildlands Studies
Prerequisites: One college level course in environmental studies, environmental science, ecology or similar. 18 years of age
Program Costs
Big Sur Summer 2025
$ 150 Application Fee
$ 2,800 Program Fee
$ 1,300 Group Logistics Fee
$ 500 Estimated Airfare and Mandatory Travel Insuranace
$ 100 Estimated Personal Expenses
$4,850 Total Estimated Cost
Summer 2025: Program fees due by May 15, 2025
