Arboretum and Herbarium

Arboretum and Herbarium is a 12.5-acre botanic garden and research facility administered by the School of Biological Sciences. The Arboretum hosts a diversity of research projects conducted by undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and faculty.


Burns Piñon Ridge Reserve

Burns Piñon Ridge Reserve is one of three UC Irvine Natural Reserve Facilities used frequently by the School of Biological Sciences for both research and teaching. The Burns Reserve is located in San Bernardino County, 1.2 miles north of Yucca Valley. Field courses include desert ecology, field zoology methods, natural history, biology of deserts, field ecology, botany, environmental ethics, freshwater biology, and others.


UCI Greenhouse

UCI Greenhouse is a 9,000-square-foot growth facility that supports teaching and research needs for the School of Biological Sciences. The Greenhouse is divided into 15 growth areas that are individually programmable for temperature. Greenhouse Staff provides watering, pest management, and basic maintenance for plants used in research and teaching. Additional facilities include common-use lab space, a lath house adjacent to the Greenhouse for plants requiring ambient conditions, an autoclave for soil sterilization, and storage space for greenhouse supplies, which are provided by investigators. Limited environmental growth chamber space is also available.


Nature Reserve of Orange County

Nature Reserve of Orange County consists of 37,000 acres of permanently protected open space nestled within a 208,000-acre reserve in inland Orange County. Research by UCI biologists may be approved if compatible with habitat and wildlife preservation.


San Joaquin Marsh Reserve

San Joaquin Marsh Reserve is one of three UC Irvine Natural Reserve Facilities used frequently by the School of Biological Sciences. The marsh is located within a ten-minute walk from UC Irvine, making it convenient for day use by faculty and students. It is one of the last remnants of wetlands that once covered much of Orange County’s flood plain and more than 200 bird species (20 nesting) have been sighted in the reserve, including two resident endangered bird species.


Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center

Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center is one of three UC Irvine Natural Reserve Facilities used frequently by the School of Biological Sciences. Anza-Borrego is located in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California and one of the largest desert protected areas in the western US.


UC Irvine Ecological Preserve

UC Irvine Ecological Preserve is a 60 acre site on the southern edge of the campus located adjacent University Hills, the Irvine Research Park, and the San Joaquin Transportation Corridor. It is a part of the UCI main campus and is managed by the UCI Office of Natural Reserves for the School of Biological Sciences. The Preserve is enrolled in the Nature Reserve of Orange County. UCI Ecological Preserve Publications (PDF)


UC Natural Reserve System

UC Natural Reserve System is a network of protected natural areas throughout California. Its 38 sites include more than 750,000 acres, making it the largest university-administered reserve system in the world. Founded in 1965 to provide undisturbed environments for research, education, and public service, the Natural Reserve System contributes to the understanding and wise stewardship of the earth.


San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, and Burns Piñon Ridge Reserve

San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, Steele Burnand Anza-Borrego Desert Research Center, and Burns Piñon Ridge Reserve are all part of the UC Natural Reserve system.


Crystal Cove State Park & Marine Research Facility

Crystal Cove State Park & Marine Research Facility is supported by a partnership between UCI, Crystal Cove State Park, and the Crystal Cove Alliance. This research facility for use in small-scale and low-impact scientific research.


UC ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center (SCREC)

UC ANR South Coast Research and Extension Center (SCREC) was established by the University of California in 1956 as a representative site for agricultural research in California’s south coastal plain-temperate climatic zone. The center also provides labor, equipment, facilities and technical and management support to UC academics and to personnel from cooperating, non-UC organizations such as USDA.