Ft. Ord Natural Reserve History

On the site of the former US Army base at Fort Ord, the University of California, Santa Cruz administers the 605 acre Fort Ord Natural Reserve (FONR) for teaching and research in the unique habitats of the old sand dunes. The reserve was incorporated into the UC Natural Reserve System in June of 1996. It operates under the terms of the Fort Ord Habitat Management Plan (HMP) developed to protect unique natural resources including Federal and State listed species after base closure.

The Fort Ord Natural Reserve is located in northern Monterey County. Containing relatively intact pieces of the unique and endemic Monterey Bay maritime chaparral, significant stands of coast live oak, and large areas of California native grasses, the reserve also contains 11 species of listed plants (including the endangered Gilia tenuiflora arenaria), and seven species of listed animals (including the endangered Smith's blue butterfly).

Termed a "model of base conversion" by Congressmen and the President, the former Fort Ord property is also home to the UC MBEST center (Monterey Bay Environment, Science and Technology), an innovative development in its own right that supports economic development in the region.  

Last updated February 8, 2005
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