BIOL 315: Flora of the Northern Sierra Nevada

Mornings start at 8/8:30a.m after breakfast. We review major plant families for the first half of the day and utilize the surrounding botanical hotspots for afternoons. There will be 1 or 2 full day hikes to the region and the stunning sierra buttes. Hikes of 1500ft elevation max at a botanist pace.  (Note hiking poles are helpful along with standard sturdy footwear and layers for changing sierra temperatures).  Lunch will be on campus on three days and off site for all day field trips. There will be free time prior to dinner to explore the adjacent North Yuba River. Evenings will be set aside for optional open keying sessions. Due to snow melt bloom destinations of field trips are subject to change. Course ends Friday after lunch. 

Car pooling: We will be driving short distances to field sites, and this will require some car pooling. The longest distance will be slightly over 50 miles.

Terrain: The sierra buttes area is steep with uneven terrain, please plan for altitude adjustment if coming from lower elevations.

Clothing: Bring good walking shoes. Most days will be gentle with regard to walking, but on Thursday we may hike to the top of the Sierra Buttes. Plan for all kinds of weather. Days should be warm, but evenings can be cool. Bring short pants for warm hikes, and/or long pants for mosquito protection. It frequently rains in the Sierra in late June. Most of all, bring a hat and sunscreen for protection. Old sneakers, rubber boots, or hip-waders may come in handy for marsh prowling.

Hand lens: Everyone must have their own hand lens. There is no place where you can buy a lens near the field station. Amazon sells them, so do many University bookstores. They vary in cost from a few dollars to around $40. They're like wine — the more you pay, in general the better the quality. You'll want at least a 10X and no higher than a 14X. As soon as you buy one, tie a lanyard around it so you won't lose it.

Text: Jepson Manual of California Plants, 2nd edition

Misc: field notebook, 10 cm ruler, tweezers (optional)

Camping gear if you are staying on campus:

• tent and sleeping pad (unless you are staying in our tent with a cot provided)
• warm sleeping bag
• pillow, toiletries, and towel
• flashlight and lantern
• alarm clock

Field gear for everyone:

• day pack
• sunscreen
• insect repellant
• water bottles
• plastic containers for packed lunches
• sense of humor

You might also want to bring:

• camera
• binoculars
• hand lens
• camp chair

Clothing:

The weather in the Sierra Nevada can vary greatly, even in a single day. Be prepared for chilly temperatures at night, even below freezing early in the summer. Rain is a possibility any time, whether forecast or not. Variable weather clothing that can be layered is best: long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, warm sweater and jacket, t-shirt and shorts or skirt, sturdy shoes or hiking boots, sun hat, rain gear, and a warm hat or gloves for cold weather and/or night activities. And, if you come later in the season, bring your swimsuit for afternoon dips in the lakes!