Over spring break, we had the thrilling opportunity to immerse ourselves in the wildflower blooms of Central California for three days.

We were hosted by Sam Louden, a PhD candidate at Dr. Loralee Larios' lab in the department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at UCR. As a community ecologist, his research involves studying the species composition and plant community assembly in the unique ecosystem of the Carrizo Plain, the largest remaining native grassland habitat in all of California.

A group of 10 undergraduates ventured into an unforgettable experience against the backdrop of millions of flowers, learning from Sam about the importance of Giant Kangaroo Rats, our favorite ecosystem engineers who modify the landscape with their burrowing behavior. We also go to see (and smell!) Soda Lake, the largest alkaline freshwater body in the state. On our last day, we hiked a trail that intersects the San Andreas Fault and witnessed its mighty geological force as it bent and warped the creeks and hills around us.

Throughout the enriching experience, we got to bond and spend time cooking, playing card games, and pushing vans out of mud.

Thank you again to Sam Louden for showing us around Carrizo Plain - we hope to be back someday!

On November 11th, we joined the Rivers & Lands Conservancy once again, this time to help in their Sand Dune Restoration project at the Boruchin Preserve in Colton. Here, we installed wooden shims, watered plants, and spread California native seed by hand, all in an effort to protect this vulnerable environment against erosion from wind. With these efforts, we are helping the sand dune environment prosper for years to come. Thank you to everyone who joined us!

On November 4th, we teamed up with the Rivers & Land Conservancy to help with their ongoing restoration efforts across Southern California. This time we joined dozens of volunteers for their Climate Action Day, planting over 400 native California plants at Sycamore Highlands Park. Besides beautifying the park, these plants will help provide a lifeline for our incredibly important yet vulnerable pollinator communities as they navigate the uncertainties of climate change and habitat loss. Thank you to everyone who joined us on this special day!

SEEDS was able to tour UCR's Boyd Deep Canyon Reserve! After an introduction to the reserve by the Reserve Director and a quick hike around the reserve, Chris Cosma, a PhD Candidate in the Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology department, showed us his research investigating how plants and insects are being impacted by climate change and how this knowledge can be applied to advance biodiversity conservation. Attendees also went on hikes to observe plant diversity along the canyon's elevational gradient, learned how to survey moths using light traps, and camped overnight at the Reserve.

Thank you to Chris Cosma for the guidance during this trip!

We took a field trip to the Box Springs Mountain Regional Park and were hosted by long-time UCR Herbarium volunteer, Chris Wagner. It was such a beautiful day to explore the reserve and learn about identifying moss and lichen! There were also many donkeys wandering around the fields grazing.