Tuesday, 4/29/97 A piece of Serenity Acres and acres of
grassland, lined by crisp blue skies – in L.A.? Actually it’s a
part of UCLA.
By Tricia Fong Hua Arnsdorf Daily Bruin Contributor Trekking
through brush and grassland, the scent of coastal sage filled the
Santa Monica air. All around, the view of the Stunt Ranch Santa
Monica Mountains Reserve was picturesque. The hot afternoon created
a crisp, blue sky that highlighted the mixture of diverse shrub
species as aged oak trees cast their cool shade. "Shh. If you
listen, this is probably one of the only places in L.A. where you
can actually hear silence," said Carol Felixson, project manager of
the Stunt Ranch Reserve. With her right palm up, she extended her
arm and motioned from left to right to capture the moment and
placed ambiguous parameters on the mountainous range before her.
She smiled. Her smile was not limited to her satisfaction with the
land. It also stemmed from knowing that 67 acres of the wonder in
front of her belongs to UCLA. Close to one and a half years ago,
the Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve officially joined
the UC National Reserve System (UC NRS), making it the system’s
32nd site, and the first to be administered by UCLA. "I feel very
fortunate to be out here," said Felixson, one of the people who
worked on the land transfer that made the land a UCLA entity. "A
setting like this forwards interdisciplinary research and
interaction. UCLA needs that." The Stunt Ranch Reserve is
undoubtedly a valuable asset to the UCLA community. It serves as an
outlet for students in heavily urbanized Los Angeles. Among other
things, the conservancy offers students the opportunity to conduct
research on ecosystems, to learn about earlier civilizations, and
to discuss the effects of the stress of urban lifestyles on the
environment. The Stunt Ranch, named after the Stunt Brothers,
joined the UC NRS in November of 1995. A rich deposit of
prehistoric artifacts, the Stunt Ranch Reserve is nestled in the
Cold Water Creek watershed. Once home to the Gabrielino and Chumash
Indians, the Stunt Ranch Reserve lends itself to a representation
of all major periods of regional archaeological interests. The
richness of its landscape and history compliments the Stunt Ranch
Reserve’s beauty by offering an outdoor classroom. The conservancy
acts as a learning playground for those studying anything from
geography to anthropology to biology. Where books and lectures
alone may fail, this environment succeeds in putting more value
into the act of doing and actually being out in the field. Having
taught class on location in the past, professor of anthropology
Jean Hudson recognizes the Stunt Ranch Reserve as an ideal learning
environment for her students. "Working out here, students are
actually locating artifacts after screening an area, and eventually
they’ll get to select the areas where they want to excavate,"
Hudson said. Pointing to a mapping exercise, Hudson said that this
style of learning is very practical. "Out here, students can learn
how to map by actually measuring distances for themselves and using
their own numbers to determine elevation change." Fourth-year
anthropology student Todd Eversgerd agreed. "Being out here, you
learn the ins and outs of surveying and mapping by doing it
hands-on. This helps you learn more quickly because you can’t
afford to fall behind everyone else." As students searched for
artifacts to mark with flags, or measured distances or degrees,
interest and experience seemed to act as motivation. "Even though
it is a lot of work, you do it to gain skill through application,"
said Dave Edmonds, a geography/environmental science and
anthropology student. Edmonds explained, "It’s not like sitting in
class and having someone hand you a ‘pretty’ specimen and tell you
what kind of rock it is. Here, you have to pick it up and wipe it
off. This forces you to use your skills. It forces you to learn."
Anthropology 115P/215 is one of several classes taught out at the
Stunt Ranch. Others include Native American history, fire ecology
and resource management. For professors at Cal State Northridge,
Cal State Los Angeles, University of Redlands and UCLA, the reserve
has been the destination of several class field trips. Excited
about UCLA’s first reserve, geography Professor Hartmut Walter has
taken some of his biogeography classes out to measure and assess
differing animal habitats in what he considers a great source for
"frontline research in ecosystem management." Walter thinks this is
particularly important for students in the Los Angeles area. "An
L.A. student is somewhat removed from nature. Taking them out to
the reserve, they get real field-based learning." About students’
reaction to the reserve, Walter said, "Anytime I take a class out
to see the environment, they get real excited and want to come
back. "UCLA students are lucky to have this pristine, wildlife
habitat available to them in less than an hour’s drive. Not many
other students have this type of access." Edmonds agreed. He
explained that the access Bruins have to the reserve makes them
very fortunate. "I’ve heard of field schools where you pay
thousands of dollars for a one to two month program, but all we
have to do is call URSA and apply." Felixson said that the Stunt
Ranch Reserve is enjoying increased interest. "The Stunt Ranch has
been with UCLA for less than two years … and I keep getting more
and more calls from people who realize the cooperative research
potential the ranch offers." Biology Professor Ken Nagy is among
the eager researchers. "I have a lot of ideas. I’m interested in
maybe studying wood rats (or pack rats), and the sample size at the
Stunt Ranch Reserve allows for more complete researching." In
addition to university usage, several K-12 students from around the
area also take trips to the conservancy, illustrating the appeal of
the Stunt Ranch Reserve as a learning facility for students of all
ages. Extensive areas of the reserve are dry and dominated by
brush, and, it is in this chaparral environment that fires are
healthy and contribute to a balance in the ecosystem. Although the
Malibu fires of 1993 took a toll on the Stunt Ranch Reserve by
clearing most of its vegetation and destroying all of its
facilities, Felixson said it is recovering wonderfully. As for the
facilities, only their foundation remains. Hopeful, Felixson said
that there is a possibility that students from the School of
Architecture and Design will be able to make reconstruction of the
facilities a project. Moreover, since the area is fire-prone, this
could offer an opportunity to design something that may serve as a
prototype for fire-safe structures. Aside from being an outdoor
classroom for students of all ages and interests, the Stunt Ranch
Reserve is also a treat for hikers. Crossing the western portion of
the reserve is the Stunt High Trail. From dawn to dusk, this trail
is open to the public, and both hiking and equestrian use are
welcomed. Hot summer temperatures are generally moderated by
coastal breezes that the close proximity of the Pacific Ocean
affords. All year round, a run-off from Cold Water Creek allows
water to flow through the Stunt Ranch Reserve, a privilege that is
not commonplace in the Santa Monica Mountains. Among the brush,
wildflowers are in full bloom, and in this setting, one could
easily forget that poison ivy is among the landscape as well.
Reptiles scurry among the brush as birds fly overhead. Tucked away
in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Stunt Ranch Reserve is a
treasure to the entire UCLA community, as well as others. This
multi-purpose outlet has something to offer most everyone. An
escape from the traffic, the honking and the crowds. A chance to
listen in silence and observe in awe. And perhaps most importantly,
the reserve offers the opportunity to bridge together the classroom
experience with hands-on learning. To inquire about using UCLA’s
Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve, call 206-3887. CHARLES
KUO/Daily Bruin (above) Students in Dr. Jean Hudson’s anthropology
classes survey the grounds of the UCLA Santa Monica Mountains Stunt
Ranch Reserve. Students looked for artifacts as well as remnants
from structures that were burned in the 1993 Malibu fire. (left)
Bill Gordon, a graduate student in anthropology, searches for
artifacts of the ancient Chumash tribe of Native Americans. CHARLES
KUO/Daily Bruin Bill Gordon, a graduate student in Anthropology
searches for artifacts of ancient Chumash tribe of Native
Americans. CHARLES KUO/Daily Bruin The Stunt Ranch in the Santa
Monica Mountains is named after the Stunt brothers – Walter, Harry
and Ernest, who originally owned the land. Related Links: Stunt
Ranch Santa Monica Mountains