Reserve staff coordinate research on the reserve and support field investigations for Laboratory visitors working from San Francisco to Point Arena. The Reserve is part of the UC Natural Reserve System, a network of 36 field stations throughout the State.
Fieldwork at BML/BMR
See Planning Fieldwork at BML/BMR.
You must apply to use the Bodega Marine Reserve and adjacent areas before you begin your research or instruction.
Resources and Information
To provide background information in support of current research and to develop opportunities for new research, we monitor climate, vegetation, and selected animal populations. Monitoring programs include meteorological and oceanographic stations, a series of ground-based photographic stations taken several times yearly, a series of aerial photographs covering the Reserve taken once each year, and periodic censuses of wintering shorebirds.
BMR has species information lists for vascular plants, lichens, birds, mammals, marine invertebrates (partial), ants and bees. We are working to expand the invertebrates list and to add a marine algae list. These will permit prospective users to assess the suitability of our site to support particular research or class use and will assist students in identification of organisms and in learning the natural history of the site.
Seasonal marker buoys and moorings were deployed in 2005 to begin delineating the boundaries of the Bodega State Marine Reserve, which is a no-take zone, extending 1000 feet offshore alongside the Reserve. These seasonal buoys will be lifted before the winter storms each year and redeployed the following spring. and will help to inform fishing boats of the location of Refuge boundaries, increasing our protection of this valuable research resource.
BMR includes all of the 326 acre UC property except for two development enclaves in the immediate vicinities of existing laboratory and dormitory buildings. The adjoining Bodega State Marine Reserve (formerly Bodega Marine Life Refuge) and leased tidelands in Bodega Harbor are managed as part of the Reserve, adding important intertidal and subtidal habitats. A 20 acre section of the adjacent State Park supporting a native dune scrub community also is set aside for Reserve research use.
Exploring California’s Marine Protected Areas
Bodega Head State Marine Reserve and Bodega Head State Marine Conservation Area
The splendor and natural productivity of California’s coastal ocean waters is well known to locals and visitors alike. One of the more prominent features along the southern Sonoma County coastline is Bodega Head, a rugged headland located about 40 miles northwest of San Francisco. Read more.