About Us – Sagehen Creek Field Station

Excellence in Research, Education and Public Service since 1951

We are dedicated to advancing both fundamental and applied research to unravel the complexities of natural and managed ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. By transforming scientific insights into actionable strategies for sustainable resource management, we aim to connect our discoveries to the broader public—bridging the gap between science, stewardship, and community impact.

Established in 1951, Sagehen Creek Field Station is a research and teaching facility of the University of California at Berkeley, located in the central Sierra Nevada, just north of Truckee, California. The station serves as a living laboratory where students, researchers, and educators can explore and study the unique mountain ecosystems.

Sagehen Creek Field Station is embedded within the expansive 9,000-acre Sagehen Experimental Forest. This unique forest is managed through a cooperative partnership between the University of California, the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Southwest Research Station, and the Tahoe National Forest. The partnership aims to preserve this critical landscape for scientific research, education, and resource management.

Sagehen is the hub of the broader Central Sierra Field Research Stations network. This network includes several research areas vital to understanding the Sierra Nevada’s environmental dynamics:

These interconnected research sites provide opportunities to study diverse ecosystems, from snowpack dynamics to forest management practices.

Sagehen Creek Field Station is a member of the UC Nature, the Organization of Biological Field Stations, and a founding member of the Global Network of Mountain Observatories. The station provides critical infrastructure to support research and education on Sierra Nevada ecosystems, climate change, and land management, fostering collaboration among scientists, educators, and resource managers.