Sierra Foothill Research at Glance

Over 5000 acres of rangeland and pastures as well as a talented field support crew. We provide the foundation for research ranging from intensive plot and individual animal-scale work, all the way to research at landscape and herd-scale.  The center is a perfect place to conduct research that may be labor intensive or might need specialized equipment or expertise. The center also is well suited to support research that requires frequent monitoring as well as long-term and that requires prolonged accesses and maintenance.

Submit a Research Project Proposal to Sierra Foothill REC. 

View information on Current Research Rates
 

Research Initiatives

Research includes rangeland watershed and water quality management, invasive species management, native plant conservation and restoration, as well as a broad array of grazing and beef cattle production and health research.  Research at the center has helped unlock disease pathways and management options for some of the most serious cattle diseases and has helped develop state-wide guidelines for maintaining water quality on grazed landscapes.  Research at the center has tested and developed sustainable grazing strategies as well as native species restoration procedures and research at the station has helped craft major animal nutrition and production principles for California ranchers. 

Read SFREC'S Research Information Flyer PDF, 242.29KB.

View SFREC's Current Research Projects 

View SFREC's Previous Research Projects

Research Opportunities

If interested in Blue Oak regeneration and management research opportunities at SFREC, learn more at: Oak Restoration

If interested in research opportunities utilizing infrastructure that simulates a warmer, drier climate at SFREC learn more at: Climate Change

Research Advisory Committee

The Research and Extension Center System (RECS) supports field research, education and extension activities by providing suitable environments including land, labor, facilities and support staff.  A Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is established at each of the nine Centers to provide guidance in recommending projects conducted at the Centers.

The primary role of the RAC is to review proposed research and extension projects on an annual cycle, including off-cycle requests; provide recommendations on proposed projects and Center resources.  The RAC is comprised of a Chair and between 5-9 members representing academic leaders with competency and applicable expertise with the types of research and extension activities at the subject Centers.  Members are not limited to UC academics and may be expanded to include knowledgeable industry representatives and other qualified individuals.

Principal responsibilities of the RAC involves review and recommendation on research and extension project proposals based on scientific merit including an assessment of specific objectives, feasibility of success of project, previous track record and alignment with the Center’s long-term strategic plan.

Environmental Health & Safety

The Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center is an isolated and remote facility.  Certain hazards may exist and all first time field research employees should review the Fieldwork safety notes before working at SFREC.

The SFREC Safety Coordinator encourages you to review these safety notes before your trip to the center.  If you have any questions regarding safety and environmental health at the Sierra Foothill REC, please contact us.