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Indybay Feature

A Glimpse at UCSC's North Campus

by ~Bradley (bradley [at] riseup.net)
Many students graduate from UC Santa Cruz without ever stepping foot in the undeveloped North Campus, also known as Upper Campus. North Campus is a hundred-year old redwood and chaparral forest that provides spectacular habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna, many of which are listed as endangered or declining species. Even though many students are not familiar with this portion of the university, there are other students, as well as Santa Cruz locals and outdoor enthusiasts from around the world that make use of the trails in North Campus for research and recreation.

The beautiful forest in North Campus, and the creatures who live there, are under threat by UCSC's controversial 2005 Long Range Development Plan. Recreational use of North Campus and land management decisions have been a long standing concern for the survival of rare species on the UCSC campus, but the 2005 LRDP may have a more damaging and lasting impact than anything in history, as UCSC plans are in motion to develop 120 acres.

The following photographs were taken on July 9th, 2008.
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For more information and links of possible interest, please spend some time checking out:

A Brief Natural History of UC Santa Cruz
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/04/27/18495414.php?show_comments=1#18525282

Tree Sit Statement Responding to UCSC Lawsuit Settlement
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/08/10/18525074.php

"Long Range Development Plan (UCSC)" at wikipedia.org

Endangered Species of UCSC (Declining Species)
http://www.oatney.com/endangered_species/declining_species.html

UCSC Campus Natural Reserve
http://ucreserve.ucsc.edu/UCSCCNR/default.html

Campus Natural History
http://mnhc.ucsc.edu/nhguide.html

Mushrooms of the UCSC Campus
http://mnhc.ucsc.edu/mushroomlist.html

Lichens of the UCSC Campus
http://bio.research.ucsc.edu/people/goff/Lichens%20of%20the%20UCSC%20Campus/index.htm

UCSC Upper Campus Map
http://boulter.com/geocaching/maps/maps/us/ca/UCSC.jpg
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Comments (Hide Comments)
by Rico
Thanks, Bradley. Beautiful photos. Twenty years ago I fell in love with the upper campus forest and never left the area. Taking a nap in this forest and waking up to birds, trees, and critters, is one of the most exquisite pleasures the Santa Cruz mountains has to offer.

There is a free skool forest walk scheduled for Wednesday:

Join us for an afternoon adventure through the magical forest and chaparral above UCSC, where the Long Range Development Plan proposes a major new road and 120 acres of deforestation and new buildings. We'll share stories and secret spots, talk about the natural history of the area, identify native flora and fauna, and gain deeper understanding of the impacts of development upon this environment. Re-quirements: Bring water and food to share, and a desire to learn about this land.

Upper Campus Forest Walk
Wed Jul 16th, Aug 13th, Sep 17th noon
meet at the Kresge bus stop
with Forest Elves forestelves [at] riseup.net
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

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