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Public Tours

Join reserve naturalists on a tour of the Merced Vernal Pools and Grassland Reserve! You will learn about the reserve's natural history, flora and fauna, geology, ecology, land management, stewardship (monitoring of threatened and endangered species), and ongoing research activities! The 6,500-acre reserve is a landscape to discover! Vernal pool flowers have bloomed; coyotes and brush rabbits are often seen, as well as birds such as the Western Meadowlark and American Kestrel. Meet at 9:00 AM at the reserve entrance gate at the intersection of Rancher's Road and Ansel Adams Road on the UC Merced campus. There is no fee to attend and tours are open to UC attendees and non-UC attendees.