Research at Sagehen Creek Field Station
A premier research hub in the Sierra Nevada supporting science, conservation, and land management across diverse ecosystems
Why Sagehen is Unique
Sagehen Creek Field Station lies within the Sagehen Experimental Forest on the eastern slope of the northern Sierra Nevada, about 20 miles north of Lake Tahoe. This landscape blends glaciated valleys, montane meadows, mixed conifer forests, and riparian corridors into a rich ecological mosaic. Forest stands feature ponderosa pine, Jeffrey pine, white fir, lodgepole pine, and quaking aspen. Expansive wet and dry meadows support native flora and fauna, while Sagehen Creek and its tributaries provide vital aquatic habitat. The terrain reflects a legacy of glacial shaping, with steep upper basins and wide U-shaped valleys. The station experiences a Mediterranean climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm, dry summers, averaging 33 inches of annual precipitation—mostly as snow. Sagehen’s ecological diversity, accessibility, and long-term datasets make it an unparalleled platform for interdisciplinary research, conservation, and applied land management.
Explore Research Themes
Learn more about ongoing research efforts at Sagehen Creek Field Station through our key research areas. Each image tile below links to detailed project pages, long-term datasets, and featured collaborators.
Sagehen supports a wide range of ecological, physical, and social science research across the central Sierra Nevada. We provide year-round access, historical datasets, and infrastructure for short- and long-term studies. For inquiries about new or ongoing research, contact us at [email protected]. You can also explore our research publications archive and natural resources to learn more about what’s been done at Sagehen.
Use the RAMS portal to create a new research project or associate your visit with an existing one. You must submit a visit request for each research trip, including proposed dates, participants, housing needs, and any resources required. Some projects may also require additional approvals (e.g., CEQA, IACUC, drone operations, etc.).
Review rules, waivers, safety info, and facilities expectations before arriving at Sagehen.
- Invoices will be emailed to the designated project contact following your visit. Let us know if facility use differed from your RAMS reservation.
- Please cite Sagehen’s DOI: 10.21973/N3Q94X in all publications resulting from your work here.
- Send us a copy of your publication and tag us on social media — we want to share your science!
- Check out our Zotero research archive: Sagehen Zotero Library
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook
- Email [email protected] when your project is wrapping up or if you’re planning future visits.
Researcher Expectations
All researchers must adhere to Sagehen Creek Field Station’s operational policies, ethical standards, and data-sharing guidelines. We are committed to fostering responsible and collaborative scientific work that advances knowledge and stewardship.
Fair Use Policy
Researchers must inform Principal Investigators (PIs) before publishing data collected at Sagehen. Publications should include proper acknowledgment of Sagehen, relevant funding sources, and any institutional or collaborative contributions.
Animal Research Permits
Any study involving vertebrate animals requires approval from the UC Berkeley Animal Care & Use Committee (ACUC) and all applicable state or federal regulatory agencies. Ensure that necessary permits are secured prior to fieldwork.
For complete station policies, see our Station Use Guidelines.