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Cheadle Center at UCSB

@cheadlecenter

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The Cheadle Center is dedicated to research, education, and outreach related to biodiversity, natural history collections, and ecological restoration.

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🌧️ Stock up on rain gear, Gauchos! ☔️🌊

🌎 A potentially historic El Niño is developing in the tropical Pacific, and its effects could reach our own coastline.

📊 According to NOAA's September 2026 outlook, there's a greater than 90% chance of a very strong El Niño this fall and winter. But what does that mean for UCSB? 🌴

🌊 Previous strong El Niño events have elevated sea levels, intensified wave impacts, and contributed to significant coastal erosion along California's shoreline. UCSB researchers documented elevated sea levels and investigated erosion during the 2015–2016 event, including at Isla Vista and Coal Oil Point. 🏖️

⚠️ This winter, the combination of elevated coastal water levels, storms, and high tides could increase erosion and flooding risks. 🏠🌧️ Changes in ocean temperature may also affect the marine ecosystems that make our coastline unique. 🐟🪸

🔎 Although scientists can forecast El Niño's strength, its precise impacts on UCSB remain uncertain. Stay informed and keep an eye on our changing coastline! 🌊🌎

#ElNino #UCSB #SeaLevelRise #CoastalResilience #ClimateScience #SantaBarbara #UCSBShoreline #CoastalAdaptation taken in UCSB - UC Santa Barbara by @cheadlecenter

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4 days ago

OPEN HOUSE TOMORROW 4-6‼️‼️

Visit this loot before it gets vaulted 🔒👀

Head to our free open house THURSDAY, Oct. 15th to visit our amazing natural history collections! Also view a special screening of The Bees and The Birds, a UCSB Green Screen Short Film! (directed by Olly Johnson)
⭐️ Featuring director and editor Q&A!

Explore our natural history collection of mammals 🐅
birds 🦅
herps 🦎
flora 🌻
and invertebrates 🪲!!

🗓️ DATE: Thursday, Oct 15th

⏰ TIME: 4:00-6:00 PM

📍LOCATION: Cheadle Center, located under Harder Stadium
#loot #ucsb #biodiversity #naturalhistorymuseum taken in Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) by @cheadlecenter

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5 days ago

Coastal Fund is honored to be partner with the Cheadle Center in the ongoing work to restore Lagoon Island on campus!

The Cheadle Center and Santa Barbara County firefighters conducted two 1/4 acre prescribed burns on Monday September 14th to remove plants and seed bank of non-native ripgut brome at the Campus Lagoon and Coal Oil Point Reserve. The ripgut brome holds on to its position of dominance and forms a mono culture that is nearly impossible to remove by hand weeding. The burn with the baccharis supplemental fuel is able to heat the soil to about 200 degrees Celsius and provides this amazing window to sow diverse native forbs and wildflowers that couldn’t get established with the non-native grasses. We are looking forward to the addition of 15 species of seeds in November before the first rains of the season. Graduate student Laura Dagg from Carla D’Antonio’s lab worked with the team to set up different levels of fuel load to look at the impact of the burn on microbial composition in the soil.
“It takes a lot of effort to cut the baccharis in July and have it dry for August and then to spread it on the land before the fire and we thank Coastal Fund support for our programs for helping us make these unique management actions possible.”

- Lisa Stratton

Director of Ecosystem Management

Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Over the past 15 years they have conducted at least 8 burns and successfully restored more than 3 acres of land to provide amazing nectar and pollen resources for pollinators and views for people. by @cheadlecenter

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5 days ago

More on our upcoming Open House next THURSDAY 4:00-6:00 PM (Oct. 15th)… 🐝🪺🌿

Take a break from perusing the collections rooms to view student documentary THE BEES AND THE BIRDS, filmed at the Cheadle Center and nearby Greenhouse and Garden Project!

This project centers on insect and avian conservation, through displaying the beauty of nature and the connection it brings to local UCSB gardeners, as well as bringing attention to declining insect populations.

Screening will be held at 5:00 PM, followed by editor Q&A
—————————————————
WHEN: Thursday, October 15th

WHERE: The Cheadle Center, located under Harder Stadium

TIME: Open House 4:00-6:00 PM | Screening 5:00 PM
#nature #biodiversity #shortfilm #student #ucsb by @cheadlecenter

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12 days ago

From bee wings at UCSB to a Ph.D. at UC Berkeley.

Jorge De la Cruz (@cultured.bacteria) has begun his doctorate in integrative biology at UC Berkeley. An NSF Graduate Research Fellowship recipient, he plans to study wing evolution and the ecological factors shaping animal form.

At UCSB’s Cheadle Center (@cheadlecenter), the zoology graduate worked with Katja Seltmann in the Big-Bee Lab, studying bee wings and what their structure reveals about evolution. Fieldwork on Santa Cruz Island and in the Sierra Nevada helped prepare him to pursue research questions of his own.

Community helped make that path possible. After first visiting the Sierra Nevada Aquatic Research Laboratory through FUERTE, Jorge later returned to lead a field trip as president of UCSB’s SEEDS chapter, with support from peers and mentors.

“Making connections is not just about navigating academia but helping guide others as well.”

Congratulations, Jorge!

Jorge’s story closes our Class of 2026 Where Science Takes Us series. Thank you to every student who shared their experiences, aspirations and advice with us. Explore more stories in our 2026 Grads Highlight.

Photos courtesy of Jorge De la Cruz.

#WhereScienceTakesUs #UCSBScience Graphic titled "Where Science Takes Us: From bee wings to a Ph.D. at UC Berkeley." Photo shows Jorge De la Cruz wearing glasses and a UC Santa Barbara sash while holding a display drawer of pinned insect specimens in a collection room. Text notes he studied Zoology at UCSB and is now pursuing a Ph.D. in integrative biology at UC Berkeley. UCSB Science Class of 2026. taken in University of California Santa Barbara by @cheadlecenter

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13 days ago

Interested in visiting UCSB’s own natural history collections? Then come to the Cheadle Center on OCT 15TH for our natural history collections open house!

This time including special screening of The Bees and The Birds, a UCSB Green Screen Short Film! (directed by Olly Johnson) ⭐️ Featuring film editor Q&A!

Explore our natural history collection of…
mammals 🐅
birds 🦅
herps 🦎
and invertebrates 🪲!!

🗓️ DATE: Thursday, Oct 15th

⏰ TIME: 4:00-6:00 PM

📍LOCATION: Cheadle Center, under Harder Stadium

#nature #museum #science #insect #ucsb taken in Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) by @cheadlecenter

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14 days ago

Scientists know how sea levels are rising, but exactly how much depends on future conditions.
This includes factors as large as greenhouse gas emissions and changes to the Earth's ice sheet.

UCSB's Sea Level Rise Adaptation Strategy considers a range of possible future conditions, including as much as 6.6 feet (2 meters) of sea level rise by 2100.

Because the timing and magnitude of Sea Level Rise is uncertain, UCSB uses an adaptation pathway approach that combines monitoring with actions that can be implemented as shoreline conditions change.

Visit the link in our bio for more information, and follow to stay in the loop!

#UCSB #SeaLevelRise #CoastalResilience #ClimateScience #SantaBarbara #UCSBShoreline #CoastalAdaptation taken in Campus Point, UCSB by @cheadlecenter

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a month ago

🌊 Join us at Phelps Creek (NCOS) for Coastal Cleanup Day! Help us clean up and protect our local environment.

📅 Saturday, September 19 ⏰ 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
📍 Meeting location: From Storke Road and Phelps Road, follow Phelps Road west until you cross Phelps Creek. Park along the south side of the road on the wood chips. Follow the trail south along the west side of the creek until you reach the bridge connecting to Marymount Road. Site Captains will meet you there!

👟 What to bring: Reusable gloves, a bucket or bag, water, sunscreen, and a hat. Cleanup supplies will also be available.

Please note that stairs and other difficult terrain are required to access the site.

🎁 Pre-register for a chance to win prizes! ExploreEcology.org/ccd

#CoastalCleanupDay #ExploreEcology #SantaBarbaraCounty #NorthCampusOpenSpace #NCOS by @cheadlecenter

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a month ago

We’re excited to announce an upcoming volunteer day at s’o’ hil xus (Bear Spring) on Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The s’o’ hil xus site is a 20-acre coastal restoration project on UCSB’s North Campus. Volunteers will help plant coast live oaks, restore native habitat, support local wildlife, and reconnect the landscape with surrounding protected coastal open spaces.

We will meet at the s’o’ hil xus site at 9:30 a.m. Those who live nearby are welcome to walk directly to the site. Parking is available in the NCOS lot for those driving.
Please bring water, a hat, and comfortable outdoor clothing.

To RSVP, email ncos@ccber.ucsb.edu.

See the flyer for location, parking, and additional project information. If you have any questions about the meeting location, please message us here on instagram or email us at ncos@ccber.ucsb.edu. Feel free to share this post with anyone who may be interested!

#VolunteerDay #HabitatRestoration #NativePlants #CoastLiveOak #UCSB Goleta SantaBarbara CommunityVolunteer CoastalRestoration taken in UCSB North Campus Open Space by @cheadlecenter

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3 months ago

Our coastline is changing. Learn how UCSB is planning today for a more resilient tomorrow.

Visit the link in our bio for more information, and follow to stay in the loop! by @cheadlecenter

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3 months ago

Looking for ways to help your local nature? You can make a big difference in a small space, especially if you live near wild spaces or restoration sites like Ellwood Monarch Grove! 🐝🦉

For more specific information on milkweed and monarchs check out Xerces Society’s recommendations online. 🦋

(Image credit: Slide 3 & 6 Jeremiah Bender | Slide 4, 5 & 7 Olly Johnson) #restoration #conservation #plantnative #wildlife #monarchbutterfly by @cheadlecenter

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3 months ago

The July 2026 edition of the UCSB Restoration Register is now available!

This issue features updates from restoration projects across UCSB, including the continued recovery of the Ellwood Monarch Grove, the rapid expansion of endangered salt marsh bird’s-beak at North Campus Open Space, and a look at this year’s wildlife, from downy woodpeckers and red tailed hawks to killdeer chicks and red fox kits.

This month’s feature story explores how annual vegetation monitoring helps evaluate restoration progress and guide adaptive management across our project sites. We also highlight the story of California sand aster (Corethrogyne filaginifolia), a native wildflower whose local Goleta population was preserved through plant salvage efforts more than two decades ago.

Read the July Restoration Register by clicking the link in our bio.

Thank you to our staff, students, volunteers, and community members for supporting ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation across UCSB’s natural areas. taken in UCSB North Campus Open Space by @cheadlecenter

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3 months ago