Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the history of the Reserve?
  • Efforts to protect these Campus lands began many years ago. The earliest documentation of a proposal to create a 'Riparian Woodland Sanctuary' was in 1974, when the Davis Audubon Society proposed a nature area for a portion of the old North Fork of Putah Creek. In 1981, the UC Davis Natural Land and Water Reserve Advisory Committee first proposed the idea of preserving Putah Creek on the UC Davis Campus, as a Campus Reserve for wildlife protection, research, teaching, and passive recreation. The Putah Creek Riparian Reserve was created on July 15, 1983, by Chancellor Jim Meyer.
  • Is the Reserve open to the public?
  • The majority of the land on the Main Campus that is managed under the Reserve is open to the public. The publicly-accessible areas are located along Putah Creek, from the parking area at Pedrick Road/Road 98, downstream to the parking area at Old Davis Road, on the north side of the creek. Other areas, such as Russell Ranch, are not open to the general public, but are open to research and teaching use.  Please stay on the north side of the creek to avoid trespassing.  We want to respect our neighbor's privacy.
  • What are the hours of operation?
  • The Reserve is open from sunrise until sunset for public use, without prior authorization.
  • Can I ride my bike at the Reserve?
  • Yes, but bicycles must remain on the levee road, and are not allowed on trails.  Bike parking is available at bike racks at the picnic area.

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