SNARL often hosts university-level classes in disciplines, including ecology, population biology, integrative biology, and botany, environmental science, earth science, geography, natural resource science, interdisciplinary courses, and art and literature. SNARL has a new State of the Art classroom facility called the Page Center as well as a dormitory that can accommodate up to 25 persons. The dorm has a large living and dining area, a large kitchen and bathrooms and showers. We have high speed internet throughout the SNARL campus. Applications for class use may be made through the Reserve Application Management System. Applications and reservations should be submitted at least three weeks prior to the intended visit.
If you are planning to bring a university class to SNARL you will need to schedule a visit in the UC NRS RAMS system. Please see our Visiting Page for information on how to schedule using RAMS.
Resources
- Information about facilities that can be reserved for course use
- Natural Resources of SNARL
- Real-time and historical weather at SNARL
- Bibliography of research conducted at SNARL since the 1980s
- If you are unsure of whether your class is feasible and appropriate for a UCNRS site, review the NRS Use and Guidelines
- Our staff are knowledgeable about the reserve, its resources, and possible options for courses. Please reach out to us with your questions and class ideas at vesr@nrs.ucsb.edu
If you plan to bring a university class to SNARL or Valentine you will need to associate your visit with an existing university class project. Please follow the steps in RAMS to create or select an existing university class project.
As reserve managers, we will not have an opportunity to review your university class project in RAMS until you schedule a visit to our reserve. The visit is where you will specify the dates, people, and amenities (e.g. lodging, classroom, lab, etc.) needed.
- Learn about our facilities you can use for your class and the rates of the amenities offered.
- Schedule a visit in RAMS every time you plan to come to SNARL. If you are planning to visit during our busy season (June-August) please schedule your visit several months in advance.
- We will review your visit request and notify you as to whether your visit is approved.
- Part of our job is to help you have a successful class visit, so let us know how we can help. However, beyond basic administrative and field support, we would bill you for our time helping you get your project started.
- Before you arrive review our Code of Conduct
- Make sure you have completed all the necessary Permits and Waivers prior to your arrival
- Review the information on Infectious Diseases found in the area
- Review and download the General Information Guide.
- View our Frequently Asked Questions to find answers to questions not covered in the General Information Guide
- Spouses and family members not part of the class will be accommodated on a space-available basis. Public accommodations, including campgrounds, are available in the Mammoth and Convict Lake areas.
- Let reserve staff know if you see anything broken or unusual out in the Reserve.
- NO firearms, NO smoking, and NO pets are permitted anywhere on the Reserve.
Class and Field Trip Leader Responsibilities
Instructors and leaders are fully responsible for the safety and behavior of their students, and all members of their group. All users must agree to our Code of Conduct to submit an application in RAMS. It is the responsibility of the instructor to relay this information to the students and take full responsibility for their actions and behavior. We require that class instructors and trip leaders stay onsite and in the dorm or living space accommodations with their students. Our staff have their hands full keeping the station operating, and do not have the time, resources, or training to supervise students.
Waiver of Liability
Each non-UC, overnight visitor to the reserve must sign and return a Reserve Waiver prior to visiting the reserve. Release agreements for minors (those under 18 years of age) must be signed by the parent or legal guardian. It is the responsibility of the group leader (the person whose name is on the reservation) to find out who in their group must sign a release agreement and to insure that they are on file with the reserve director prior to the proposed visit.
Payment Information
- See our Rates and Payment Page for costs and payment methods.
- Users will be charged for the dates and the number of people they book at the time of application, unless they bring more people or stay longer.
- Payment may be made by UC recharge, by invoicing your college or university department, or by personal check or credit card.
- Please do not bring cash; we will send you an invoice following your visit.
- If part of a large group, please arrange for one individual to pay for the group.
- The group leader is responsible for making sure each participant is aware of reserve policies and guidelines listed on the application and in the information packet on the application website.
- Invoices will be emailed to the indicated person on your project after your visit. Let us know if you used different facilities than were on your RAMS reservation.
- Make sure to include the SNARL DOI: 10.21973/N3966F for all publications
- Mention The Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratories in your manuscripts and send us your published research! We keep records of published work Zotero
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