The Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve: Post Park Fire Updates
January 15, 2026
7:00 – 8:00 PM (Via Zoom)
with Mitch Bamford, Leslie Bowen, and Maira Iqbal
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We will discuss the management and research projects happening at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve in the wake of the 2024 Park Fire. The Park Fire was started by arson, July 24, 2024, in Bidwell Park, rapidly burned ~95% of BCCER. We will present ongoing projects, including longer term post-fire management planning, post-fire research and monitoring, prescribed fire reentry, and spring and oak savannah restoration projects. We will also highlight some of the new botanical discoveries on the BCCER after the fire.
With the donation of additional land in early 2021, the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve now contains 7,835 acres of diverse canyon and ridge habitats, including 4.5 miles of Big Chico Creek, upstream to adjacent Bidwell Park. The BCCER was created with the purchase of the Simmons Ranch in 1999 and the Henning Ranch in 2001. It is owned by Chico State Enterprises and is an invaluable resource for educational outreach and research in northern California. Mitch Bamford is the BCCER Fire and Flora Manager, and he is joined by Reserve staff members, Leslie Bowen, and Maira Iqbal.
