Research Topics

Programs & Projects

Research Centers

Evaluate Our Service

Pacific Southwest Research Station
800 Buchanan Street
West Annex Building
Albany, CA 94710-0011

(510) 559-6300

The Future of San Dimas (under construction)

Lodi Canyon ignition, USFS photo

Operating objectives of the SDEF are as follows:

• Provide a safe and healthful environment for science and natural-resource education in a vitally important Mediterranean-type ecosystem of southern California.
• Conduct long-term environmental monitoring both for detection of long-term ecosystem trends and as support to short-term research projects (see SDEF long-term monitoring element of this plan).
• Provide a diversity of age classes in native vegetation for ecosystem research.
• Minimize impacts of wildfire on research sites and facilities.
• Restrict vegetation manipulations or disturbance that result in loss of biodiversity of native species or encourage establishment or spread of non-native species.
• Minimize direct human impacts on scientific facilities, research, and natural resources.
• Maintain in good condition the historic facilities at Tanbark Flats.
• Maintain current road and trail access to experimental watersheds and sites in Bell, Volfe, San Dimas, and Fern canyons.
• Promote scientific and educational uses of the SDEF and its monitoring database consistent with its operating objectives and management direction.
• Maintain public assess, via the SDEF web site, to research and monitoring data, management plans, and research conclusions.